The Scarlet Letter

Ending of the novel 1. Is the ending appropriate? Why or why not? 2. Is it optimistic or pessimistic? Explain. 3. Would the ending be better if the two had found love, union, and peace away from the Boston colony? 4. Why is this book so famous, anyway? Should The Scarlet Letter be considered the first great American novel?

Redemption • What is Hawthorne saying about sin and redemption through this novel? • What are the “steps” to redemption? – Confess, Remorse, Penance, Forgiveness

• Where are Hester and Dimmesdale in this process?

Scaffold • Many critics have looked at the scaffold scenes as scenes that helped provide structure to the novel: – 1st scaffold scene offers some important exposition and main conflict in the book – 2nd scaffold scene is a climactic moment and introduces new conflict – Final scaffold scene is the ultimate climax of the book and leads to the falling action and resolution

Scaffold as a symbol • It is where the “guilty” stand before public condemnation: – Hester begins penance on the scaffold – Dimmesdale subjecting himself to a silent punishment late one evening – Dimmesdale makes his confession public and subjects himself to public judgment

Letter “A” as a symbol • As an outward sign of condemnation, it brands Hester an outcast • While Hester wears her badge of shame, Dimmesdale has one mysteriously develop over his heart • Meteor takes the shape of an “A” – two interpretations: – To Dimmesdale – a heavenly manifestation and recognition of his sin – To others – signifies that Governor Winthrop has become an angel

• This ambiguity of the symbol then foreshadows the changing of Hester’s own “A” – once meant “adulterer” … later means “able” • The “A” also shows up with Pearl: – when she puts together some leaves – when she is not sure how to approach her mother when she gets rid of the letter

Pearl’s role • What is Pearl’s role in the novel? – She is God’s radar … she keeps Hester and Dimmesdale on the path to God/redemption • Why is Pearl now able to have a normal life and be married? – It is when Dimmesdale finally confesses when we see Pearl become more human and sympathetic

Forest/Town as symbols • The forest - An ambiguous two-sided retreat: – Allies with the cleansing brook and sunlight – Mistress Hibbins and superstitions about the Black Man and witches • The town – a symbol of commerce and civilization

Worst sinner? • Hester’s sin – originally enters a loveless marriage  cheats on husband, does not warn Dimmesdale (the man she claims to love) sooner of Chillingworth’s true identity. • Dimmesdale’s sin – adds years of hypocrisy to his initial sin, and contributes to Hester’s punishment by making her bear it alone. • Chillingworth’s sin – admits that he was wrong to marry a woman he knew did not – and could not – love him. He is also not at all concerned with “righting” a wrong, he simply wants revenge.

Historical fiction vs. Romantic novel • Typical protagonists of American Romantic novels are haunted, alienated individuals • The romance form is dark, indicating how difficult it is to create an identity without a stable society

• The Scarlet Letter: – Celebrates the human spirit – Disapproves the paternalistic rules and religious moralism – Glorifies the rebel, non-conformist, and the maverick – Celebrates a spiritual and mystical connection with nature – Uses magic and the supernatural as prominent forces in nature and human interaction – Exploits the power of good and bad consequences in human interaction

• Character ID: – Hester Prynne, Pearl, Arthur Dimmesdale, Roger Chillingworth, Bellingham, Winthrop, Mistress Hibbins, Wilson, John Eliot, Master Bracket

• Symbols: – The letter “A,” scaffold, Town (Marketplace)/Forest, Pearl

• Themes: – The individual in conflict with society, the effects of isolation, the burden of guilt and the quest for redemption, the quest for freedom and its price

• Other items: – Historical fiction vs. Romantic novel, ambiguity (thematic and writing style), Hawthorne’s thoughts on human nature, nature’s role in the novel, worst sinner, greatest sufferer, Hawthorne’s background