Scarlet Letter

1. Scarlet Letter Chapter 5 and 6 Pages 81-102 Presentation by : Ethan Smith AND Aaron ‘ballin’ Collins

2. Summary of chapter 5 • After a few months, Hester is released from prison. The chapter begins with her leaving the prison and becoming overwhelmed with the torment she is about to face. She prepares herself mentally for her new role in society. Despite having the opportunity to leave, Hester stays as she feels that her sin has created a new person entirely. This will “root” her in this puritan society (yes this is very dumb of her). After making the decision to stay, she settles in a small, abandoned thatch cottage away from everyone. She does this to avoid the children who bother her and Pearl habitually. THIS ALLOWS HER TO PEACEFULLY FOCUS ON HER JOB.

3. Hester would utilize her God-given skill, of needlework to provide for her and pearl. In a dull clothed, puritan society, Hester would become the “new fashionista” of Salem. Her clothing and creations would be worn for occasions such as funerals, casual dress, and for the upper class. • Because Hester would be confined to her dark dress and scarlet letter, she would pimp out her daughter, pearl. Hester would continue her grind. She would also become a figure of benevolence as she would often give to the poor. • As the chapter continues, Hester in her loneliness would ample mounts of time to analyze her situation. She is constantly reminded of the “a” on her “bosom” as people would often glance and stare at it. She would eventually understand her situation and why she has been chosen to be the town’s martyr. Through all this depression and torment, Hester fully acknowledges her role. And she catches on to the fact that all are sinners.

4. Chapter 6 Summary • Hester’s one consolation is her daughter, Pearl, who is described in great detail in this chapter. Pearl’s very being seems to be inherently at odds with the strict rules of Puritan society. Pearl has inherited all of Hester’s moodiness, passion, and defiance, and she constantly makes mischief. Hester loves but worries about her child.

5. Chapter 6 cont. Basic sloots • Pearl herself is aware of her difference from others, and when Hester tries to teach her about God, Pearl says, “I have no Heavenly Father!” Because Pearl is her mother’s constant companion, she, too, is subject to the cruelties of the townspeople. The other children are particularly cruel because they can sense that something is not quite right about Hester and her child.

6. Chapter 6 cont. • As Pearl begins to reveal how bright she actually is, Hester starts to wonder whether her daughter is the demon-child that everyone makes her out to be. • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0tai7aOndg#t=47

7. Characterization • Pearl– Pearl is described at length in chapter 6. and we, as readers, start to understand her role in Hester’s life and in the community. She is describes as a Beautiful flower growing out of sinful soil, Pearl is so named because she was “purchased with all Hester had—her mother’s only treasure!” Because “in giving her existence a great law had been broken,”. When the narrator describes Pearl as an “outcast,” he understates: Pearl is an “imp of evil, emblem and product of sin, she had no right among christened infants.” Knowing that she is alone in this world, Pearl creates casts of characters in her imagination to keep her company. She feels excluded from the other kids, therefore keeps her distance. • Hester- Chapter 5 is a complete explanation of this character. Hester’s sorrow is almost overwhelming for the reader. One can sympathize with this woman. She acknowledges that she is punished for the other puritans, rather than for god. She yearns to go home but knows that is her responsibility to stay in the judgmental and hypocritical settlement. She constantly feels a figurative “burning pain” in her chest. She feels the pain as she is reminded of her situation. In chapter 6. She starts to realize that Pearl may not be the demon-child the other people make her out to be. She notices an inborn innocence in her that the town’s people neglect. We can only assume they had a “MAMA” and “Honey Boo Boo” relationship

8. Symbols • Hester- As I see it, Hester is almost a Jesus-like figure. She is being punished for sin, despite everyone being guilty. She is offered up for judgment and persecution. This is unfair due to the fact that everyone commits sin, yet she is punished in such a way that is humiliating and permanent. Society always has a scapegoat. For us to reassure ourselves that we are not entirely evil, we must have another person to be the standard of worthlessness. Hester is this symbol in their society. She is “sacrificed” for the good of the community. • Pearl- She represents the fact that God sees our sin and doesn’t condemn us for life. God is forgiving and gave Hester a blessing out of her sin. He uses her sin to show that there is still beauty, hope, and life found inside of her and around her. She is a symbol of innocence in a time of evil and unjustly persecution. • Pearl and Hester- Hawthorne’s technique here is that he uses the “un-human” elements of Hester and Pearl’s life together to emphasize their very humanness. The text suggests that being fully human means not denying one’s inner self but actually expressing ideas, dreams and beliefs. (romantic ideals) • The Scarlet Letter- The letter is ultimately symbolic for sin. This sin torments her as others outcast her for it. But the symbol is turned around once she embroiders it and makes it her own. By designing it, she has owned up to this sin and will not let it dominate her. Sin drowns us in guilt, but does not entirely consume us. At first, Hester is dominated by this sin as she is constantly reminded by it, but sin sinks in and eventually becomes apart of our daily life, and who we are. • Hester’s Clothing-Part of Hester’s punishment was being forced to wear her drab attire with the letter. The book explains how Hester would create fashionable and beautiful clothing. This symbolizes her self expression. This is the outlet for her horrible life. She can express herself and continue her passion creatively as she has no one to verbalize with.

9. Theme Judgment and Sin-We as people tend to look at the outer appearance of a person but don’t bother looking at their heart. The towns people blame and name call a little girl, even though she has committed no crime at all. We point fingers at other people to take the focus off our own sinful actions. Hypocrisy- We are all hypocrites. We tend to believe we are perfect and are entitled to correcting other’ s wrong doings. Unless Aaron Collins or Jake Pannell are correcting you, don’t listen. This justifies not listening to teachers, but that is a different lesson. This book screams hypocrisy. A town of sinners sanctifies the mass punishment of a women who sees through the masquerade. She identifies with her herself and realizes that all are sinners, therefor she questions why she is so harshly persecuted and comes to the conclusion that she must be the scapegoat for a town of hypocrites. Benevolence- Hester is a naturally benevolent person. In a situation where she is shunned and hated, she somehow finds it in her heart to forgive the ones that maimed her. She gives to the poor and those who are somehow more miserable than her. In a time of darkness, Hester is a figurative lamp, rather than turning off and leaving you alone, she still provides enough light in the room so you don’t whack your shin against a desk or table. Thanks Hester.

10. Puritan and Romantic Ideas • Puritanism- The major identification of puritanism in the chapters are through the dress and the social outcast they put on Hester and Pearl. Harsh punishments and constant bantering for their sin depicts how the heavily religious society was ruled by the church. Their dress attire was dull and grey. This is what identified Hester so heavily in crowds as she wore her vibrant “A”. • Romanticism- Hester creating beautiful clothing for towns people. This was unusual for a puritan society. It was vibrant and became acceptable despite it being developed by an adulterer. Also, Hester living unaccompanied by a man was a sign of independence. That rhymed

11. A Pinch of Vocab Chapter 6 EFFICACY-effective as a means of remedy RUSSET-a course brownish homespun cloth IMBUED-inspired as with feelings, opinions etc. MUTABILITY-subject to change EPOCH-a point in time marked by the beginning of a new development or state of things CAPRICE-a sudden, impulsive change within: whim GESTICULATION-expression through gestures Chapter 5 ASSIMILATE-to absorb into the cultural tradition of a population or group TINGE-an effective or modifying property or influence: touch UNCONGENIAL-unfriendly THATCHED-a house used as a sheltering cover made up of a plant material PROGENITORS-an ancestor in the direct line: forefather PLEBIAN-one of the common people COMMISERATION-to feel or express sympathy: condole CONTUMACIOUSLY-stubbornly disobedient: rebellious TALISMEN-something producing apparently magical or miraculous effects

12. Literary Devices Ch.5 • (Symbolism included in independent slide) • Irony- As Hester is released from prison, she enters a whole new prison of the outside world. I find it ironic as she leaves a cell that is described as “archaic”, she now enters a world where she is no longer seen as Hester, rather she is now seen as a sinner of adultery. Despite being released, she is still captive to the puritan society. • Narrative Voice-The narrator is omniscient and almost sounds sympathetic when describing Hester’s situation. The reader can not help but feel depressed as the narrator describes the bleak world Hester must live in. Through the use of strong adjectives that are overwhelming in length, he creates a picture for the reader. • Simile- “She stood apart from moral interests, yet close beside them, like a ghost that revisits the familiar fireside, and can no longer make itself seen or felt; no more smile with the household joy, nor mourn with the kindred sorrow; or, should it succeed in manifesting its forbidden sympathy, awakening only terror and horrible repugnance” (Hawthorne 88). This simile paints a picture and perfectly describes a woman of anguish. This literary device is effective in creating a tone for the chapter.

13. Literary Devices Ch.6 • Irony – It is ironic that Pearl is considered a demon-child, yet in this chapter we see her playing and laughing as though she is oblivious to the events around her. She has a level of innocence that is only natural for a child. • Metaphor- * talking about pearl * “A beautiful flower growing out of sinful soil.” She is not the demon-child everyone suspects. She does not chant redrum or have a spinning head, nor has she puked on Dimmesdale with the force of a fire hydrant. Although she comes from a sinful background, she is not a result of her mother’s hussy lifestyle. • Imagery – “ So magnificent was the small figure, when thus arrayed, and such was the splendor of Pearl’s own proper beauty, shining through the gorgeous robes which might have extinguished a paler loveliness, that there was an absolute circle of radiance around her , on the darksome cottage” (Hawthorne 93). “ Dang that little girl cute “

14. Essay Assignment • Minimum 1,000 words • Discuss Puritan Society vs. Romantic society and what role they play in the Scarlet Letter. Analyze the style of clothing, how it affects Hester, etc. • Due Friday before class is over. • No exceptions

15. Mini Quiz…. Prepare YourselfOpen Response • Why does Hester not flee back to England? • Hester supports her and Pearl financially through? • Due to the constant harassment, Hester spawns hatred for what group of people? • Why is Pearl treated so differently? Is it just to treat Pearl this way? • What causes a burning feeling in Hester’s chest? Bonus (Personal Opinion) then we will judge your opinion • Chuck Norris or Chuck Bass? • A song that annoys you? • Favorite MHS white basketball player? • UGGs or Crocs?

16. FiN.