post 2: Chapters 1-2

9/5/2015

What is the narrator’s attitude toward the Puritans? What is his attitude toward Hester? Discuss themes, symbols, and rhetorical devices in these chapters.

Deandre T.

9/10/2015 05:55:16 pm

Nathaniel Hawthorne incinuates a negative feeling towards Puritans, he uses Diction that berates them, almost as if he feels a sense of shame or disgrace. Hawthorne does, in fact, acknowledge Hester Prynne's crime as a mistake but he feels highly of her, treating her like she is brave and strong. I get this implification because at the time that Hester stands at the scaffold, Hester refuses to name her fellow adulterer, deeming her as a brave fool. The red A embroidered on Hester's chest is used as a symbol of sinfulness and being a rebel to society's virtues. Hawthorne often notes the A as if it is being flaunted by saying that it is bright red and has "gold" trimming, implying shamelessness. The author often uses anyithesis, along with parallelism, and syntax in his wtiting. The story has slight "Pathos" influences, wherein the depiction of the shame and embarrassment Hester Prynne's had to endure while standing on the scaffold.

Caitlyn D.

9/18/2015 09:41:53 pm

Though some of your comments about the narrator's views towards the Puritans were true, you failed to mention the great respect that he has for them. The narrator doesn't envy the Puritans, in fact, in the Custom House he wanders how they would feel about him writing this book which shows he had some level of reverence for who they were but didn't altogether agree with their views.

Ms. Dixon

9/19/2015 08:12:04 am

Deandre, one important symbol of the scarlet letter is its intricate creation and embellishment. Beyond the shame it is supposed to represent, what does its elaborate creation represent?

Alayjah Redmon

9/10/2015 08:08:14 pm

The narrator attitude toward the purtians is that he holds them at a high regard he looks up to them but at the same type he seems to dislike them.And you can see that he holds women in vaule in the passage you can tell that he believes women deserve to be respected and are powerful. The theme of these first few chapters are gloomy , melancholy and the Purtians use the embarrassment of Hester as a way of shaming her for her crimes

Jasmine M

9/17/2015 09:19:32 pm

I disagree with the comment you made towards the narrator's attitude towards the puritans. The narrator states that the Puritans are too traditional and unwilling to change. It's not that he looks up to them, its more that he resents them yet accepts them and deals with them but is also enthusiastic towards those who are willing to challenge them.

Ms. Dixon

9/19/2015 08:15:14 am

Alayjah why do you think that Hawthorne has mixed feelings about the Puritans? What evidence in the text can you find to support your claim?

Tariq Thomas

9/10/2015 08:37:33 pm

Although he has ancestors of the puritan religion, he's made it obvious that he doesn't agree with the beliefs. Nathaniel Hawthore views the puritans and the puritan's laws as a harsh and extremely biast form of judgement. Throughout the first chapter there are very rare and almost unnoticeable glimpses of compassion and sympathy showed open Hester Prynne from member of the Puritan community, those brisk moments are reiterated with the hate and ignorance of the puritan people. Hawthorn views Hester as beautiful innocent like woman in a serious misfortunate events. She is portrayed as human. In some respects she acts shy and innocent often daydreaming of her parents. At other times prideful and courageous, but always having fear uneasiness and weariness creep into her conscious.
Themes: sex, religion, adultery, sins and punishment
Symbols: roses(hope , in my opinion)

If you're reading this and thought this boy is dumb or he is trying too hard to sound smart its true and dont post this comment😭

* i didn't proofread so... Chill

Franklin A

9/16/2015 03:17:58 pm

I agree with you Mr.Thomas it was obvious that he doesn't agree with Puritans and their beliefs. Although i do think in some way he did think that what they were doing was right it was just the way they did it.

Deandre T.

9/16/2015 09:54:30 pm

I completely agree with your analysis, Tariq. Hawthorne makes it clear he feels torn between two worlds of thought. He acknowledges his Puritan roots but feels negatively towards the actions of the Puritans. And you're right, The Scarlet Letter had very much to do with adulteration, sinfulness, and a deeply judgemental and religious society.

Trizia H.

9/17/2015 08:17:37 pm

I think you are both right, however I don't understand how he could be Puritan and accept his Puritants roots but doesn't disagree with adultery, and sinfullness. So by not rejecting those thing how can he accept that he is ra Puritants. Since the things he talk about in the book are the reasons that lead to the Puritants actions.

Keiana. W

9/17/2015 03:58:32 pm

I agree with him on what he said about how Nathaniel view puritans and also I agree about he said about how hawthorn view of hester

Kelvin A.

9/17/2015 08:49:56 pm

I completely agree with your comments and thoughts.

Kelvin A. (corrected)

9/18/2015 09:01:49 pm

I agree on your statements claiming that Hawthorne wasn't to accepting of everything about the Puritans. Also, your comment on Hawthorme's feelings about Hester is spot on.

Ms. Dixon

9/19/2015 09:17:09 am

Tariq, many of your comments are quite insightful. Why do you believe that Hawthorne views Hester as innocent especially in light of her adultery?

Jimmie F.

9/11/2015 12:49:19 am

The narrator has two conflicted views on the puritans, he admires the fact that their actions are done with good intention, however the way they execute these "laws" is nothing short of fanaticism. The narrator's views on Hester are far different from the opinions of others, he views her with sympathy, and perhaps even slightly admires her boldness in accepting the scarlet letter. He uses imagery to describe things such as the massive crowds surrounding the prison, even for the spiked prison doors which he describes with much detail.

Ms. Dixon

9/19/2015 08:18:54 am

Jimmie, what evidence from the text supports your claim that the author has two conflicting views of the Puritans? What in Hawthorne's background gives him a special connection to the Puritans?

Jasmine M.

9/14/2015 04:47:44 pm

Based on the diction used by the narrator, her attitude towards the Puritans can be seen as bitter and distasteful. The reason being is that in the beginning of chapter one, Hawthorne starts off by describing the prison in which a crowd of people are standing in front of. She states that the prison embodies the severity of the puritan law, describing it as "old, rusty, yet extremely strong". This symbolizes that the puritans who are in power lean to tradition and that which is outdated and overused. She also begins to talk about a woman by the name of Ann Hutchinson who she refers to as "sainted" or holy. Ann was a woman who was put in prison and because Hawthorne sees her as someone who is holy, this further proves that Hawthorne disagrees with the Puritans. Hawthorne also states that a rose bush sprang up from Hutchinson's feet and this can symbolize passion since Ann was a person who fought for what she believed in. It can also symbolize the beauty that has been lost since the Puritans took power. The logic behind this is the fact that the narrator describes the world as "sad" and "gray". This is total proves that Hawthorne dislikes the way of Puritans. In contrast though, Hester is seen as someone that the narrator finds somewhat amusing and extremely “beautiful”. Hester, a woman who has committed a crime which forces her to wear the scarlet letter ‘A’ on her chest, flaunts the embroidery as though it were something that she should be proud of. She wears it without the slightest bit of anguish and that causes the crowd around her to grow angry, stating that the punishment that she is forced into is too heartfelt.

Cesar V

9/16/2015 08:21:36 pm

I mostly agree with your post except in the fact that you failed to touch upon the positive feelings of the Puritans. The narrator does not only view Puritans in a negative light.

Ms. Dixon

9/19/2015 09:22:47 am

Jasmine, first of all Hawthorne is a man not a woman. Using the wrong pronoun distracts from your response. Secondly, why do you think Hester does not feel sufficiently shamed by wearing the red "A".

Franklin A

9/15/2015 04:18:33 pm

The author Nathaniel Hawthorne attitude toward the Puritans is good and bad. This true because in one way he likes and admires them but in another he doesn’t. But overall I would say that he has mean and angry thoughts on them. Puritans are very religious and he believes that everything they do are good but it’s just the way that do it from what I read. His views on Hester from what shows that he has compassion for her and cares. She can be consider very brave and courageous for wearing the scarlet letter “A” on her. Wearing that isn’t something to be proud of but she wore it without shame and this cause people (crowd) to hate and dislike her. The author using a bit of pathos in these chapters to appeal what Hester goes through.

Robert C..

9/17/2015 09:48:12 pm

I agree with you young Franklin. Hawthorne depicts the Puritans as highly religious, but the Puritans also have apparent flaws within themselves that are revealed by Hawthorne, despite the focus on Hester Prynne. Nathaniel is able to reveal both sides of human weakness, one being more subtle , while the other being highly exposed.

Ms. Dixon

9/19/2015 09:26:16 am

Franklin why do you think that Hawthorne view the Puritans as "doing good"? What evidence from the text supports this, especially in terms of the diction and syntax?

Katelynn. S

9/15/2015 06:11:49 pm

The narrator’s attitude towards the puritans is that he has high view of them, he looks up to them, but at the same time he seems to dislikes them. Hawthorn views Hester as beautiful innocent woman that was in a serious misfortunate event. She is portrayed as human in that she has fleshly desires. In some respects she acts shy and innocent often and daydreams of her parents. At other times she can be prideful and courageous, but always has fear, uneasiness and weariness creeping into her conscious. The red A embroidery that Hester has on her chest is used as a symbol of sinfulness and being a rebel to society's virtues. Hawthorne often notes the A as if it is being flaunted by saying that it is bright red and has "gold" trimming, implying shamelessness. The author often uses analyzation, along with parallelism, and syntax in his writing. The story has slight "Pathos" influences, wherein the depiction of the shame and embarrassment, Hester Prynne's had to endure while standing on the scaffold.

Ms. Dixon

9/19/2015 09:37:46 am

Katelynn, what are some of the examples from the text that illustrate parallelism and syntax?

Valentina B

9/15/2015 07:26:11 pm

The author Nathaniel Hawthorne's attitude toward the Puritans is Mixted because he admires them but in other instances, he doesn’t. The has put out more Dislike thoughts on them. His views on Hester are empathy and can understand her. The author uses pathos to make the reader feel sympathy for Hester.

Tariq T

9/16/2015 09:18:53 am

I disagree. The narrator of the Scarlet letter doesnt view his Ancestors in a positive way. It can be said that he feels a bit of shame and revolt for his Ancestors. Mentioned in the Story Hawthorne feel ashamed that he is related directly by that of blood line to the key arbitrator of the Salem witch trials. Hawthorne is so ashmwed that he changes his last name from Hathorne to Hawthorne to further the wedge between him and his forefathers.

Krystal C.

9/17/2015 08:57:48 pm

I completely agree. It seems as the author has mixed feelings towards the puritans. He likes them in one hand and in the other hand, he doesn't. He seems to have more negative thoughts rather then positive.

Ms. Dixon

9/19/2015 09:44:07 am

Valentina, what are some examples of the "pathos" Hawthorne uses to get the reader to feel sypathy for Hester?

Joshua W

9/15/2015 07:30:11 pm

The narrator seems to lack one sold emotion when it comes to the Puritans. He seems to have slight admiration for their actions but he seems to despise their beliefs . Hawthorne does adress Hester Prynne's actions as an unconscious act but he still comes to the conclusion that she is beautiful and brave and despite her crime he shows traits of sympathy for her . Hawthorne uses The "A " in a frequent manner describing it as "bright red and has gold trimming''. Futher implying it represents hesters shameless and bold attitude. The speaker uses imagery in regards to the "prison doors", the descriptive language describing the prison doors foreshadows and sets the tone for chapters down the road

Ms. Dixon

9/19/2015 09:47:35 am

Joshua, how does the imagery of the "prison doors " foreshadow and set the tone for the upcoming chapters?

Triston Y.

9/15/2015 07:55:59 pm

The narrator views the puritans with high regard but he also contradicts himself because he see's their belief as to much and cruel. Hawthorne sees Hester as a beautiful young lady and understand she made a mistake and her transgression can be forgiven. Theme religon,Sin, Punishment rhetorical devices used is pathos,

Ms. Dixon

9/19/2015 09:52:57 am

Triston, what examples of "pathos" does the author use to establish or create the themes you delineated?

Keiana .W

9/15/2015 09:27:01 pm

The narrator has a negative attitude towards the puritans, he the puritans are really strict. they would cast out the most kind person. Hawthorne's attitude toward hester is that she is strong, beautiful and she deserves to be respected. even though she committed adultery. They use the 'A' as a symbol of the sin she committed. The narrator use parallelism and syntax. The author uses pathos to get you to feel for hester.

Ms. Dixon

9/19/2015 09:57:14 am

Keiana, how does the author establish a negative tone towards the Puritans? Specifically address the diction and syntax used to set the tone.

Cesar V

9/16/2015 08:32:49 pm

The authors view of Puritans is a almost contradictory. He has does not agree with them for the most part but he still respects them and does not look down on them. His view of Hester is that she is beautiful and although she has sinned he still has much respect for her also because she isn't ashamed of admitting she has wronged which is shown by her not openly trying to hide the A. The A, to the Puritans, almost seems like a metaphor for her being publicly known as a sinner. It is not as much the fact that she sinned but more like her sin became publicly known.

Ms. Dixon

9/19/2015 10:02:24 am

Cesar, what specific examples from the text establish Hawthorne's contradictory viewpoints of both the Puritans and Hester? Specifically address ,the diction and syntax used.

Kelvin A.

9/17/2015 08:48:51 pm

The narrator feels as if the Puritans are mean, cruel, strict, and harsh but he contradicts his self by saying that he does understand some of there view points I think he likes there morals maybe not the consequence of what happens when you defy them. Hawthorne overall has the upmost respect for women and thinks Hester is a strong & beautiful individual who has made a mistake and should be forgiven of it. The theme so far seems religious. There is some very noticeable symbolism here though I feel like the "A" defines Hester as a person shes strong and holds her head high despite being shamed for her sin. Just like the "A" it's supposed to be a sign of shame but the letter it's self is beautiful.

Ms. Dixon

9/19/2015 10:16:36 am

Kelvin, what evidence from the text substantiates your claim that Hawthorne views the Puritans as "mean, cruel, strict, and harsh"? Specifically address the diction and syntax.

Krystal C.

9/17/2015 08:55:04 pm

Robbert.C

9/17/2015 09:33:05 pm

Nathaniel Hawthorne's views the Puritans as hypocrites with strict rules and bias laws that portray sinners as unholy and unrighteous. There attempt to expose sin is really a means to make themselves look more self-righteous. Hester Prynne is criticized for committing adultery and is punished by being made to stand on a platform with the letter "A" on her chest as she is ridiculed by her peers. The rose bush symbolizes love behind a backdrop that is dark and dreary. This dreariness represents the prison and the somber crowd. The beadlle represents the self-righteous judge that condemns her publicly before the crowd.

Bryan L.

9/17/2015 10:03:45 pm

Nathaniel Hawthorne sees Puritans as bad people who are strict and cruel. He then continues to say that they try to reveal the wrong doing in others to help them be better people. A young lady by the name of Hester Prynne was viewed as a disgrace for committing adultery and is penalized by having to put a letter "A" on her chest. She is then shunned and becomes a pariah for years. the roses in front of the prison symbolized hope and a chance of renewal

Ms. Dixon

9/19/2015 11:37:05 am

Robert, you make several good points. How does Hawthorne use diction and syntax to convey the concept or hypocrisy?

Anthony R

9/18/2015 01:00:10 am

The narrator disagrees with most of the Puritans views and ideas yet accepts them, making him respectful to the Puritans but disliking them as well. The narrator is sympathetic towards Hester Prynne, because he speaks of her as being strong willed and bold for standing on the scaffold and embracing the fact that she will be known for her act of adultery with the scarlet 'A'. The scarlet 'A' is a physical representation of sin. The author uses pathos to give the reader a sense of how Hester feels for her current situation.

Luis P.

9/18/2015 02:35:14 am

I completely agree on how the author is using pathos. At first i thought Nathaniel was using Ethos, but as the story dunged in deeper with Hester, it made it seem like it was in my face that Hawthorne was using pathos as he was describing the terrible circumstances that she was in.

Ms. Dixon link

9/19/2015 11:42:35 am

How does the author use pathos, specifically what diction and syntax is used to create an emotional appeal?

Luis P.

9/18/2015 02:30:17 am

The author, Nathaniel Hawthorne, will make it seem like he understands most of the Puritans ideas,views, why the do the thing they do, but, of course disagreeing with most of the things that they do. The author is actually more intrested and sympathetic with the Hester character. The scarlet 'A' is a symbol if as you has done sin. The author is obviosly usung pathos (emotional) to give the reader a sense of understanding on how Hester living for herself under those circumstances.

Ms. Dixon

9/19/2015 11:50:15 am

Luis, why do you believe the author is sympathetic to Hester and critical of the Puritans? What specific evidence from the text, in terms of diction and syntax, support your claim?

Caitlyn D.

9/18/2015 09:35:54 pm

The narrator, Nathaniel Hawthorne, alludes to an attitude of reverence and skepticism towards the Puritans. Though he respects the Puritans due to the appreciation he has for his ancestors and all that they stood for, he considers many of their beliefs to be overpowering and slightly unnecessary. The Puritans' exposure of other people's downfall is designed to make themselves seem more pure and essentially idol figures. This can be interpreted as arrogance and selfishness. However, Hawthorne's attitude towards Hester is admirable. In his writing, he purposely minimizes her faults and highlights her boldness then portrays it as bravery. He also makes her persecutors seem extremely harsh as some of them wish death upon her and in the same token gives Hester the quality of humility when she doesn't retaliate against those that judge her.
A large symbol is the scarlet letter 'A' which represents the sins a person has committed. When Hester has to place it on herself then has to endure the judgement of the townspeople Hawthorne is using appeal to emotions to insinuate sympathy towards his main and favored character.

Ms. Dixon

9/19/2015 12:03:32 pm

Caitlyn, what specific evidence from the text supports your claims? Specifically, how does Hawthorne's use of diction and syntax convey tone?

emily vk

9/20/2015 09:01:47 pm

the narrator view on Puritans were very strictly, he shows how strict and if the rules werent followed how severe the punishments were. the author also wanted his point to come across that how injustice or justice the puritans were when it came to the earthly sins that people committed.Although he views Hester very admirable, he continues to portray her as courageous.

Comments are closed.

Scarlet letter blog

post 2: Chapters 1-2

Archives

Categories