Joshua Gunn Pd. C-D

1. Joshua Gunn Pd. C-D

2. Nathaniel Hawthorne (born Nathaniel Hathorne; July 4, 1804 – May 19, 1864) was an American novelist and short story writer. Nathaniel Hawthorne was born in 1804 in the city of Salem, Massachusetts to Nathaniel Hathorne and the former Elizabeth Clarke Manning. His ancestors include John Hathorne, the only judge involved in the Salem witch trials who never repented of his actions. Nathaniel later added a "w" to make his name "Hawthorne" in order to hide this relation. He entered Bowdoin College in 1821, was elected to Phi Beta Kappa in 1824,[1] and graduated in 1825. Hawthorne anonymously published his first work, a novel titled Fanshawe, in 1828. He published several short stories in various periodicals which he collected in 1837 as Twice-Told Tales. The next year, he became engaged to Sophia Peabody. He worked at a Custom House and joined Brook Farm, a transcendentalist community, before marrying Peabody in 1842. The couple moved to The Old Manse in Concord, Massachusetts, later moving to Salem, the Berkshires, then to The Wayside in Concord. The Scarlet Letter was published in 1850, followed by a succession of other novels. A political appointment took Hawthorne and family to Europe before their return to The Wayside in 1860. Hawthorne died on May 19, 1864, and was survived by his wife and their three children. Much of Hawthorne's writing centers on New England, many works featuring moral allegories with a Puritan inspiration. His fiction works are considered part of the Romantic movement and, more specifically, dark romanticism. His themes often center on the inherent evil and sin of humanity, and his works often have moral messages and deep psychological complexity. His published works include novels, short stories, and a biography of his friend Franklin Pierce. Cited form: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nathaniel_Hawthorne

3. Arthur Dimmesdale Dimmesdale is burdened with a heavy internal conflict, guilt of committing a sin, throughout the novel. As the story progresses, this conflict with himself causes great mental and physical torture. Dimmesdale is broken down by this internal conflict that is inflicted upon him. This conflict settles upon Dimmesdale after he did not confess to being an adulterer earlier. When Hester was being punished upon the scaffold, Dimmesdale held in his tongue from admitting he was the father of her child. Since Dimmesdale had a high rank among church officials, admitting his crime would mean great punishment. This is the reason he wasn’t quick to admit his crime. His cowardly ways led to mental pain, such as telling himself how unholy he is, how he is scum, and how he is not worthy to serve his mission on Earth. (109) Dimmesdale’s conflict also causes him great physical pain. The minister would put his hand over his heart, wearing a pale face that showed his fatigue. (120) Dimmesdale, not confessing earlier and accepting his punishment, led to Chillingworth torturing him. This increased his physical and mental pain, causing his conflict to become greater. Wearing this huge amount of guilt almost put Dimmesdale to the point of insanity. Dimmesdale went on to announce his sin, realeasing his burden of guilt. With Hester and Pearl, he confessed to the town of his evil ways. “Ye, that have loved me!--- ye, that have deemed me holy!...behold me here, the one sinner of the world!! quoted by Dimmesdale. (227) Shortly after announcing his sin, Dimmesdale faced the consequence of death, for bearing the guilt too long.

4. In words of Confucious; “Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves.” The Scarlet letter clearly shows that revenge, a horrible mission, is not worth going after. Seeking a leg for a leg, will transform a person and greatly affect ones life. Chillingworth, a prominent character in the Scarlet letter, seeks out revenge on Dimmesdale. Since Dimmesdale cheated on Chillingworth’s wife, Dimmesdale became a target for a revenge mission. “I shall see him tremble” quoted Chillingworth, journeying the path of revenge. (70) Chillingworth’s goal, exposing Dimmesdale as an adulterer, was what he used all his strength to achieve. This endeavor, triggered many horrible transformations in Chillingworth. “Old Rodger Chillingworthwas a striking evidence of a man’s faculty of transforming himself in to the devil.” (153) This revenge morphed Chillingworth, and the goal he pursued came to a waste. Dimmesdale exposing himself, caused Chillingworth to yell “Thou hast escaped me!!” (228) Not achieving his goal, Chillingworth died along with Dimmesdale. The theme of the Scarlet letter, revenge is never a good mission, is clearly shown through Chillingworth. This journey for revenge morphs ones personality, replacing it with evil goals. On a mission for revenge, one is slowly killing themselves along with their enemy.

5. After reading the Scarlet letter, I personally did not find it enjoyable. In my spare time, the Scarlet letter wouldn’t be a book I would read. One element of the book I didn’t like was the language. The way things were worded, descriptions were hard to understand at times. Also, the book, lacking physical action, lost my interest in certain chapters. One thing I admired in the book was the ending, with the deaths of Chillingworth and Dimmesdale. This gave the novel a realistic feel, showing that everyone recieves punishments for their actions. I learned that a bad decision could cause many consequences. In the novel I can personally relate to Dimmesdale, refusing to tell his secret. “Yet some men bury their secrets thus” said Chillingworth. “True, there are such me” answered Dimmesdale, “But, not to suggest more obvious reasons it may be they are kept silent by the very constitution of their nature.” (120) There are some secrets I am scared to let go, afraid of reactions from people and consequences. I would recommend this book to people who constantly pursue revenge. Chillingworth, the character who pursued revenge, was punished for his actions. From reading the Scarlet Letter, their ideas about revenge might change.