Scarlet Letter Essay #2
I. Intro
a. scarlet A forms the basis for the structure, theme, and transformation of the novel.
b. Hester and Dimmes both marked with outer and inner As while Pearl functions as the living A
c. Three key scenes occur on the public scaffold and form the basic structure of the novel.
II. First scaffolding scene
a. Hester surprises the town in her dignity and embracing of her punishment
b. Use the elaborate A quotation and perhaps the natural grace quotation
III. Contrast Hester’s outer punishment and resultant transformation in the eyes of the towns people vs. Dimmesdale’s inner suffering because he cannot confess—this could be a separate paragraph or just a transition to the second scaffolding scene
IV. Second scaffolding scene
a. The meaning of the letter A is in flux
b. Pivotal juncture showing Hester as transformed externally by the A—leading a lonely, but pure, guilt-free, productive life with Pearl contrasted with Dimmesdale suffering constantly because he cannot stand on the scaffolding and take his punishment
c. Use the electric chain quotation or the one describing all three standing on the scaffolding
V. Transition to Pearl’s role as the personified A (or you can put this paragraph above the second scaffolding scene if you want to use an earlier quotation showing Pearl’s ability to redeem her mother)
a. Stands between her parents as a symbol herself
b. Use the noontide quotation to show how she helps Dimmes gain the strength to confess
c. Then use the quotation Hester uses describing how Pearl is her penance and her blessing from earlier in the novel
d. Could do two paragraphs on Pearl and use the dressed like the A quotation too, or something from the brookside scene
VI. Hester becomes her own woman with her own thoughts in a narrow minded world
a. Magistrates debate taking off her badge
b. Use the quotation here where she says only God can remove it or transform its meaning
c. Then argue that’s exactly what happens by the end. A for awe and able rather than adultery
VII. Final scaffolding scene
a. The letter A symbolizes awe and redemption
b. Dimmesdale confesses truly and teaches all about the fact that we all sin, so we must learn from our sins rather than living our lives as hypocrites pretending that we never sin. Get a confession quotation for this first and then move on to “Be true, be true. . .”
VIII. The tombstone shows the final transformation of the letter A
a. In a field of black (sin and corruption), the letter A stands out in glowing red, not evil, but a bright light in dark world teaching us that sin is not a pure evil to be avoided at all costs, but a low moment that must inevitably occur, and must certainly be learned from.
b. Analyze the symbol of the A on a single tombstone spiritually connecting, but physically separating Hester and Dimmes
Essay #3
See me to come up with some ideas, but focus on the final scenes (this is a very rough outline, so don’t do it unless you have lots of ideas about how to organize it too)
I. Hester’s A is supposed to punish (adultery)
II. Hester’s A actually redeems (able)
III. Dimmesdale’s A tortures him
IV. Dimmesdale is a greater pastor because of his experience
V. Dimmesdale finally escapes the Puritan’s belief system in the final scaffolding scene and reveals Hawthorne’s view of sin
VI. Misinterpretation of Dimmesdale’s final act reveals the Puritan values of sin
VII. Hester as a spiritual counselor because of her experience: a new revelation will com with joy and happiness
VIII. The tombstone and final social commentary
IX. Conclusion
Throughout Nathaniel Hawthorne’s novel, The Scarlet Letter,
the symbol of the A pervades every aspect from the plot, to the
structure, to theme.
In addition to being the tile of Nathaniel Hawthorne’s novel,
the scarlet letter flows through every part of the novel: the
characters, the theme, and the structure.
Throughout his novel, The Scarlet Letter, Nathaniel Hawthorne
criticizes the stringent Puritan notion of sin and the human
condition while he offers a gentler argument for the power of
forgiveness and knowledge.
In his novel, The Scarlet Letter, Nathaniel Hawthorne depicts
the Puritan notion of evil and reveals the irony of their
stringent views.