Scarlet Letter 6: 126-144

"And there stood the minister, with his hand over his heart; and Hester Prynne, with the embroidered letter glimmering on her bosom; and little Pearl, herself a symbol, and the connecting link between these two" (Hawthorne 140)

Explanation- In this quote there is a symbolism of the sins of each character. In Hester the sin is represented through her Scarlet letter. It symbolizes her adulterous ways; this glimmering letter clearly shines in the night sky. In Dimmesdale the sin is represented whenever he puts his hand over his heart. In this symbolic act there is a physical representation of his sin but it is hidden. Dimmesdale would like to reveal his sin, but it is necessary for the good of the town that this sin keeps tormenting him. Pearl intertwines all these sinful acts by bringing them into life, which these two souls have to bear with forever.

Question- How long has Chillingworth been staring at Dimmesdale, how much does he know?

"Thou wouldst not promise to take my hand, and mother's hand, to-morrow noontide!" (142)

Explanation- In this quote Pearl is asking the good reverend to stay by their sides noon tomorrow and be judged by the village. The good reverend can not afford to do this. He has decided that he keep this sin buried deep inside his heart, and not only that but all those that have sinned too. This torment of his heart shall be his punishment for the sin he has made. But he does say that,"At the Great Judgment day" (139), he will confess before God his sin and be judged by him only. Because Dimmesdale believes that this sin is between him and God, and that no other person had the right to judge him. It is the opposite position of how Proctor felt; that the people should judge his sins, not God.

Question- What is the true representation of the letter "A" in the sky, would it be angel or adultery?

Scarlet Letter 5: 107-126

"Come away, mother! Come away, or yonder old Black Man will catch you! He hath got hold of the minister already. Come away, mother, or he will catch you! But he cannot catch little Pearl!" (Hawthorne 122)

Explanation- In this quote Pearl and Hester seem to walk right in front of Reverend Dimmesdale and Mr. Chillingworth as they are having a discussion about secrecy. Pearl sees how disfigured and ugly Mr. Chillingworth has gotten and relates him to the devil. And she tells her Hester to stay away from Chillingworth because he will bring terrible acts against Hester. And she sees that he has gotten a hold of Mr. Dimmesdale because he looks so pale and weak.

Question- why did Pearl only throw a burr at Mr. Dimmesdale?

"Was haunted by Satan himself, or Satan's emissary, in the guise of old Roger Chillingworth. This diabolical agent had the Divine permission, for a season, to burrow into the clergyman's intimacy, and plot against his soul." (116-117)

Explanation- In this quote it seems that Mr. Dimmesdale is being haunted by Chillingworth because they are always seen together. Dimmesdale wants this good physician to heal him and help him through his sickness. But Chillingworth has some suspicion against Dimmesdale, that he in fact could be adultery. And being a man of science he will put his whole life's effort to know the truth about Dimmesdale and become closer to him.

Question- Does Chillingworth not care that because of his new appearance some are referring to him as a devil?

Scarlet Letter 4: 91-107

"Nevertheless, I will enter, replied Hester Prynne, and the bond-servant, perhaps, judging from the decision of her air, and the glittering symbol on her bosom, that she was a great lady in the land, offered no opposition" (Hawthorne 95).

Explanation- In this quote it is shown that this servant is a new comer to the country and is not familiar with everything yet, including the scarlet letter. Everyone in the town knows that the "A" is for Adultery and the individual who wears it shall be looked down upon others. The villagers know that these sinful people are the scum of society. But when a newcomer sees the "A" that lies upon Hester's bosom decorated so beautifully, the servant believes that the makes Hester of great importance and a fair lady. Hester has taken this immoral sin and made it into a thing of great beauty.

Question- Why did Hester have such an absurd reaction when she looked at herself and her daughter's reflection in the suit of armor?

"This badge hath taught me-it daily teaches me- it is teaching me at this moment-lessons whereof my child may be wiser and better, albeit they can profit nothing to myself" (101).

Explanation- This quote is a response to Mr. Bellingham's suggestion of taking Pearl and putting with a family that is more suited to take care of her, because of Hester's Scarlet letter. But Hester believes that because of it she is the best suited to raise her daughter. She will remind Pearl that whenever she sees this token to stay on the path of morality. To learn from her mothers mistake so the she will never feel the shame that Hester feels everyday.

Question- Why does Pearl feel so familiar with Mr. Dimmesdale, that she goes to do point where she puts her cheek on his hand?434

Scarlet Letter 3: 72-91

"Whether moved by her ordinary freakishness, or because an evil spirit prompted her, she put up her small forefinger, and touched the scarlet letter. 'He did not send me!' cried she, positively.'I have no Heavenly Father!'" (Hawthorne 90)

Explanation- In this quote it seems that Pearl has some knowledge that she is a sinful child. But to Hester's surprise pearl seems to love the Scarlet Letter and seemingly love the sin behind it. As though making her a "demon offspring" only loving the sin that created her instead of loathing it,as her mother wanted. Hester is now ashamed of this Scarlet Letter because it only makes Pearl wanting to be on a path like her mother,a path towards sin.

Question- Has Hester told Pearl about the identity of her father, since Pearl knows that she is a sinful child?

"But it is not recorded that, in a single instance, her skilled was called in aid to embroider the white veil which was to cover the pure blushes of a bride. The exception indicated the ever-relentless rigor with which society frowned upon her sin" (76)

Explanation- In this quote it is established that society loathes this adulteress. Her black sin would only corrupt the purity of the white veil. Society does not want Hester to mend because if the dress was made by a sinner . That devilish dress will demoralize the commandment of Matrimony. A sinners presence should not partake in marriage physically or spiritually. Hester, has had her chance only to see it ruined by sin.

Question- Does Hester actually believe that remaining in the town will cleanse her sins?

Scarlet Letter 2: 56-72

"It is too deeply branded. Ye cannot take it off. And would that I might endure his agony, as well as mine" (Hawthorne 64).

Explanation- This quote is a response to Mr. Wilson, as he said he will remove the Scarlet letter if Hester will tell them who her adulterous partner is. Hester refuses because she believes that it is impossible to remove it because this sin is a part of her now. Hester will not snitch and will continue to carry on the "father's" burden for as long as she lives. Just like how Goody Proctor did not speak ill of Proctor's name. She too did not snitch when officials asked her.

Question- Why is it so bad to tell the who the baby's father is?

"We have wronged each other, answered he. Mine was the first wrong answered he. [...] Between thee and me, the scale hangs fairly balanced. (70)

Explanation- In this quote he says the based upon the justice system their sins are equal. His sin is marrying this young woman and hers is having an affair on their marriage. Chillingworth does not feel vengeful he is just shaken up about the situation. Chillingworth wanted a family so he feels some sympathy, but now he does not want anything to do with her sinful child. And seemingly little by little wants her out of his life.

Question- Why has Chillingworth decided to pop up in town all of a sudden?

Scarlet Letter 1: 45-56

"Let her cover the mark as she will, the pang of it will always be in her heart." (pg. 49)

Explanation- This quote states that many of the townspeople do not feel sorry for Hester Prynne. Because of her sins she shouldn't just be allowed to walk around the town with her head held up high. They believe that Hester should be punished to the fullest extent of the law, meaning death. It is because of such people that the effects of sin can lead people to judge others without knowing the situation Hester could have been in.

Question- Why doesn't she just try to hide her A so that so that the townspeople will not judge her as much for her actions?

"Here, there was the taint of deepest sin in the most sacred quality of human life, working such effect, that the world was only the darker for this woman's beauty, and the more lost for the infant that she had bourne. (53)

Explanation- In this quote it seems to thoroughly describe how the effects of sin can further blemish her life. The town will never again see a beautiful woman but her place a lecherous adulterous whore; who does nothing but sin all day. And now Hester's child has now lost its innocence due to Hester's actions. Now the child is nothing more than representation Hester's sin to herself and the town.

Question- What has happened in Hester's past to make her visualize about it?

Crucible Essay #2

What kinds of punishment is befitting a man who has done nothing but try to lead an honest life, and immediately seeks forgiveness whenever he has done something wrong? It must be that the man should be jailed for life, or just a simple hanging so he won’t be a nuisance anymore. It is this kind of inhumane and ironic act that the council believes John Proctor deserves. Here is a man who has lived his life morally and the council thinks he should die. All of this is because of one immoral act Proctor did long ago and because of this act: his wife distanced herself, and he shatters his own reputation. Since the village does not believe in Confession, the key to John Proctor’s salvation remains not in the village but within himself.

Proctor needs the support of Goody Proctor because to have a good marriage. Proctor has spoken to his wife about his lecherous acts with Abigail Williams. He has proven to her, his honesty by telling her about his immoral acts, but Proctor feels like Mrs. Proctor has not forgiven him. Since the village, “had no ritual for the washing away of sins” (Miller 20), he turns to his wife to forgive him and absolve his sins. Proctor feels as if he has been unable to be redeemed from his sin because his wife remains cold and distant. Since Proctor thinks that his wife has not forgiven him, this sin will continue to cause Proctor great turmoil, and continue to look for forgiveness.

. He tries to convince the village that Abigail Williams is nothing but a lying whore. He wants to tell the village this, but in order to do it he has to explain what he did. He does not want to diminish his reputation by explaining his sin and having the people look at him as a lecher. Although, he wants to tell of this sin so that Abigail will be punished for her actions. This is an internal conflict that Proctor seems to be facing, but as he says, “God help me, I lusted, and there is a promise in such sweat. But it is a whore’s vengeance, and you must see it” (110).

As Proctor says this he is risking his reputation to see that Abigail faces justice. More importantly he is looking for forgiveness and using the choice-supportive bias, meaning he looks to justify his mistake with Abigail even though he knows he can not.

Proctor is choosing between two evils now. He has harmed so many people already so he confesses about his sin; the council demands Proctor make to a fake confession about using witchcraft so he doesn’t bring harm to anyone else, except himself. A false confession is what Proctor is trying to avoid because it is unjust and he is still an honest man. He knows that he will die, but he does not want a public hanging because people will view him as a saint. Proctor’s sin is not yet cleansed, so he does not think he deserves it. It is only when Mr. Hale tells Proctor, “Man, you will hang! You cannot!”, and Proctor decrees, “I can. And there’s your first marvel, that I can.” (144). Proctor understands that he can receive his death sentence with great humility. He realizes that there is no ritual to wash his sins within the village but there lies a ritual within God. Proctor forgives himself and then asks God for forgiveness to atone for his sin. Proctor accepts his flaw and forgives himself. He does not think of himself as a saint but Proctor has accepted his sentence as a final redemption.

Proctor knows that he is human, and humans were preconceived to make mistakes. He believes in honesty but has made a mistake that has contradicted his perspective on life. With the many shifts he gradually has throughout the play. Proctor has come to consider himself an honest man, from the positive and negatives of proctor’s journey he has succumbed to the fact that this flawed society should not be judging him. He comes to terms that God is the only one who can forgive him and deem his redemption as just.

From Mr. Hales to Proctor

Dear Proctor,

Proctor I don’t know what to say, I am completely speechless at what are so called “religious” ways have done to you. I once thought that I had all the answers. I was the one who specialized in witchcraft and “saved” as many people as I could. And those that I thought worked with the Devil would be arrested and later hung. I have gone through my life believing that all those whom I have convicted, betrayed our village and worked for the devil. That is how it has always been done.

When I saw you I thought that you were just another devil worshipper, but you were different. You have done nothing both tell the honest truth and for that we imprison you. It does not make sense. I have had a hand towards your destruction for listening to the idealistic ideas of Danforth. Because of you I have finally quit that corrupted court. And I would like your forgiveness, Mr. Proctor. I can never live with myself for signing away so many lives, but if just one can forgive me. Then I shall too, work towards an honest life.

Sincerely,

Mr. Hales

From Tituba to Abigail

Dear Abby,

How dare you accuse Tituba of working with the Devil? You damn well know I ain’t with no Devil, child. I have worked for your uncle for years and have done nothing but love all y’all. But then you of all person turn on Tituba. Makes me wish you would just keel over and die

You were the one that asked Tituba to conjure the dead because you loved my Barbados rituals, child. Why did you explain to Mr. Hale what I was trying to do for y’all. I never wanted to be with the Devil, Tituba was just thinking about the children. I never forced you to do anything, you drank the chicken blood. You lied to everyone to save yourself and let Tituba get hanged and…die. Tituba has done nothing but give and give. And all you have done is take and take until nothing is left and everything dead. I will never forgive you Abby! I will vex your life so that have nothing but downfalls in your life, till you have nothing. Until the faithful day we meet again in front of the Devil’s eyes.

Tituba

Proctor to Sons

Dear Sons,

As you have heard your mother and I have been arrested on the grounds of witchcraft. Do not fret my sons and do not get angry against the court. I have accepted my faith an should you. Don not seek revenge against the court, remember what I have taught you and live an honest life.

I leave this letter as a final wish I would like all of you to partake in. First I would like you to look after your mother and sibling. Protect her with all your might, never forget to love her. You are all she has left never forget it! As for the child, teach it all I have taught you and more.

I want you to promise me that you will always take the righteous path. Never let the corruption of the village grab hold of you. There is nothing worse than sinning just to save yourself; death is nowhere near selling yourself out. Stand firm and live your life as that of a Saint! God may be dead in Salem but he is not dead in you! Take this knowledge and lead the next generation into a haven for everyone.

Lastly, do not believe that because I am going to die, I regret ever following a righteous path. I have lived my life just as God intended so I regret nothing. Look at my not as a sign of fear but as a sign of strength.

Remember I will always love you.

Love,

Father