post 4: chapters 5-6

9/5/2015

What is the effect of the scarlet letter upon Hester? Describe Pearl’s character. Discuss themes, symbols, and rhetorical devices in these chapters.

Jasmine M.

9/14/2015 06:19:19 pm

The effect of the scarlet letter upon Hester can be seen as degrading. Hester, although she has served her sentence in prison, is forced to wear the scarlet letter on her heart for the rest of her life and because of this the people around her have a constant reminder of her crime. She has the choice of leaving Boston but she chooses to stay, feeling as though she cannot leave until she is removed from all sin. The scarlet letter causes Hester to be abandoned by her friends and she is forced to be isolated away from the rest of society. She decides to live on the border of the town which can be a metaphor of the fact that she feels as though she is in limbo between moral and immoral in society. The scarlet letter downgrades Hester's place in society so much that children even make fun of her as she walks down the streets. She makes a living using her skill in needlework to make things for others but is not allowed to make wedding dresses because of the symbol that weighs on her. Hester feels shameful because of the constant reminder of what she did. Pearl, whom is Hester's daughter, is a child who is unmanageable. She has a "flightiness of temper" and is a person of passion. She can also be seen as being the symbol of the repressed love and anger that broods between Pearl's father and Hester. Pearl is violent and extremely wild and the author uses contrast between Hester and Pearl to show the characters nature. The theme in this chapter is the fact that Pearl is staying true to herself instead of allowing herself to be suppressed by the rest of society.

Franklin A

9/15/2015 05:17:52 pm

In a way it kind of changed he life around. People would always make her fell lower than she is by calling her names and throwing objects at her, because of the “A” she wore. Although all that she went through deep deep inside her she wore that “A” with pride, and that’s how she handled it. Wearing that “A” would do nothing but just remind her what she did. Peal her daughter can be describe as a smart little girl, but a little too smart for her own good. The narrator described her as an outcast. Pearl is often by herself only because of her mother’s sin, she likes to play in the forest, and has a bit of a temper. The name Hester gave her daughter Pearl is ironic to me because Pearl mean pure, and white, which is completely opposite of Hester herself. Themes, rhetorical devices and symbols used are irony and diction. I would say the name Pearl can be described as a symbol because pearl means pure and white, and hopefully her daughter can turn out to be just that.

Robert C

9/17/2015 10:27:14 pm

I agree that one has to be true to oneself. Hester realizes herself in her daughter. They both share similar traits and recognize that despite their flaws, they are intelligent and brave.

Kelvin A.

9/18/2015 09:33:03 pm

I really like the way you broke down the meaning of Pearls name then implied it to the story.

Caitlyn D.

9/19/2015 12:15:05 am

I like the fact that you acknowledged the pain she had to endure then countered it with the pride she had for he love, her daughter and herself.

Valentina B.

9/15/2015 06:50:17 pm

The effect of the scarlet letter upon has Hester is tragic because she spends most her time alienated and lonely.Pearl’s character is mischievous . She shares qualities with her mother and both are isolated. Pearl is considered a "Child of sin" and is isolated by other children as well. She is Hester's only treasure, her Pearl.The themes in these chapters are symbols, and rhetorical devices in these chapters are the irony in the sense that the towns people still need Hester for embroidery and needle work.

Alayjah R.

9/16/2015 08:30:05 pm

You've made a point that I forgot to include it does become ironic because the townspeople do need Hester for embiondery and needle work but they shun her away for her crime when do not need her another point is that the townspeople let her fix and make clothes but she's not allowed to touch wedding dresses because of the crime she has committed. As if her making the dresses are going to effect anything.

Triston Y.

9/15/2015 08:53:54 pm

The effect of the scarlet letter on Hester is that the people view her as a outcast because of her sin. Pearl is also a outcast because of her mother sin, she's very smart and often finds problem because of her intelligence.Theme is being true to ones self. Rhetorical devise is diction.

Krystal C.

9/17/2015 09:04:28 pm

I completely agree with you. Hester and pearl are both viewed as out casts. I believe that pearls intelligence can get the best of her sometimes though. The theme of this is to stay true to yourself.

Tariq T

9/15/2015 11:42:08 pm

The scarlet letter is that of demeaning embarrassment. The Scarlet letter in itself serves as a daily reminder to the people of town and Hester herself of her sin against god. For this sin Hester is the outcast of town. She is constantly tormented and ridiculed by women, men and children alike. Even Hester's daughter Pearl is outcast due to her mothers sin. Often seen by herself, pearl can be described as a wild yet intelligent girl with an ill temper.

Jasmine M

9/17/2015 10:01:14 pm

I completely agree with you. Hester is bullied every time she walks through the town (ex: children following her around to torment her) and this is only caused because of the bright scarlet letter which symbolizes her crime.

Triston Y.

9/18/2015 09:04:46 pm

But also Hester understand and still walks around town with her head hailed high

Joshua W

9/16/2015 07:41:51 pm

The effect the scarlett letter has on hester is humiliating , she is degraded eventhough she has served her sentence in prison, its become manditory that she wears the scarlet letter on her chest for the rest of her life and as a result her crime will never be forgotten. in result to the scarlet letter hester isolated herself from the rest of society . Peal who is introudued as hesters daughter can be presented as a smart little girl, but a little too smart for her own good. The narrator described her as an outcast because of her mothers crime. The irony between the townspeople's condemnation of Hester and her providing garments for them is the rhetoric device in this chapter .

Tariq T

9/17/2015 12:44:07 pm

I agree with you, the Scarlett letter is a beacon of guilt and humilation. It is saddening that the puritain society would outcast Hester and Pearl for a mistake.

Alayjah R.

9/16/2015 08:16:54 pm

The effect the scarlet letter has on Hester is shame , the letter is a constant reminder of the crime she has committed even though she has already served her time in prison and has been isolated from the town she is force to were the letter for the rest of her life, which is meant to make her feel degrading which it does .The scarlet letter even makes her friends family and children turn away from her When they see it. She is forced to live on the outskirts of town, with her daughter Pearl who is an opposite from her mother pear personality is mischevious, wild and very passionate, the narrator shows this when he compares Hester and pearls personality's. Theme shame,Rhertiocal device diction.

Keiana .W

9/17/2015 07:35:37 pm

I agree with you all the way. you are right about how the effect the scarlet letter has on Hester is shame. and pearl her daughter is passionate but she also intelligent. But I still agree with what you wrote.

Keiana .W

9/17/2015 07:11:25 pm

The scarlet letter is supposed to shame Hester for committing that crime. its suppose to isolate her and publicly humiliate Hester. Pearl is her daughter who's personality is passionate, intelligent The theme is shame the rhetorical device is diction

Cesar v

9/17/2015 09:58:49 pm

Good point on the meaning of the letter. Its just supposed to make her different and humiliated.

Deandre T.

9/17/2015 07:27:12 pm

The Scarlet Letter upon Hester's breast causes Hester to be segregated from society. She is an outcast and is shunned and disrespected. Pearl is pleasantly oblivious to the hate around her and her mother. She is, as Hester describes her, something of a dream: so pleasant and innocent, her mere existence is contemplated by Hester, at one point. She is care-free and sweet. The A, in this chapter, is constantly mentioned to be "bright", and is also mentioned to be a "flame" or burning insignia. This is an example of symbolism.

Cesar v

9/17/2015 09:57:07 pm

The letter is a constant symbol of her public embarrassment. Its purpose is to remind Hester and everyone around her of her sin. But honestly it's only a sign of her sin becoming public. And Pearl is short tempered and rightfully so she has also been affected by the letter and it's imagery.

Bryan L.

9/17/2015 10:28:22 pm

The Scarlet Letter is on the chest of Hester to show what she has done because of this it has made her a pariah, pushing her away from society. Hester's daughter, Pearl is a young girl with temper tantrums but is smart for her age.

Robert. C

9/17/2015 10:22:06 pm

The Scarlet letter makes Hester a lonely outsider. She is banished from her puritan community and lacks the social interaction of people. She is ridiculed by others and is looked upon as a lesser individual. Even though her talent for needlwork is allowing her to support her daughter and herself, she is not accepted. Pearl is a lot like her mother. in that she is somewhat rebellious, head strong, and caring. They love one another, but Pearl wonders why her mother is ridiculed by her peers.

Bryan L.

9/17/2015 10:32:25 pm

The Scarlet Letter itself is shown to b a symbolism giving an opposite meaning of what it actually stands for. At this point in the book it symbolized hope and a spark for Hester.

Kelvin A,

9/18/2015 09:30:19 pm

The A that Hester is forced to wear is a shameful,disgraceful,despicable, and horrible symbol that is looked down upon in the Puritan community people would call Hester names and hurl objects at her. Hester on the other hand isn't practically proud of the A but she refuses to let it bring her down she doesn't even move out of her community even after she is alienated from it. Pearl is Hester's daughter in a way I feel like she has to some how take a part of Hesters punishment as she also alienates hersself she also has a short temper. I see THEME in this chapter I love the way Hester holds her head high regardless of the community's opinion I felt like that rubbed off on me and taught me something.

Caitlyn D.

9/18/2015 10:48:54 pm

The scarlet letter itself is supposed to represent sin and essentially a person's faults. Along with the letter comes shame and constant criticism from anyone who can see the letter or has heard tales about the person wearing it. Automatically it can be concluded that the person wearing it is meant to feel ashamed and is to be isolated from everyone to avoid what the Puritans feel would be infection of purity. Hester experiences many of these things. Upon being set in front a crowd of people where she was susceptible to hateful comments and abuse from people who have faults themselves, she was also jailed.
Pearl, her daughter, plays two different roles. To the people persecuting Hester, Pearl is something to be ashamed of since she was conceived outside of Hester's marriage. However, on many occasions she proves to be Hester's most prized possession. The way she held her close whenever she was presented to the people gave off the impression that she loved and wanted to protect this child. This sparks the theme of a mother's unconditional love.

Ms. Dixon

9/19/2015 12:30:56 pm

Use evidence from the text, specifically in terms of the diction and syntax used to make insightful responses. Most of the commentary provided can be found in "Spark Notes" without any real anchor to the text.

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