In chapter 8, Hester encounters with the Governor and the three other guests who follow him. Hester then speaks about how they want to take little Pearl away from her though; their reply is that Hester can't teach Pearl because of her sin. “I can teach my little Pearl what I have learned from this!" "....this badge hath taught me, -it teaches me daily,- it is teaching me at this moment,- lessons whereof my child may be the wiser and better..." (pg. 92) The red token that Hester carries has taken her through new experiences that are either good or bad but they become lessons to her life. I really like the sincerity that Hester has which makes her different than everyone else. Many who carry a red token wouldn't be able to confront an authority that has the power to do anything yet; Hester is fearless when saying these words in order to protect Pearl.
Saturday, January 26, 2013
Sincerity
In chapter 8, Hester encounters with the Governor and the three other guests who follow him. Hester then speaks about how they want to take little Pearl away from her though; their reply is that Hester can't teach Pearl because of her sin. “I can teach my little Pearl what I have learned from this!" "....this badge hath taught me, -it teaches me daily,- it is teaching me at this moment,- lessons whereof my child may be the wiser and better..." (pg. 92) The red token that Hester carries has taken her through new experiences that are either good or bad but they become lessons to her life. I really like the sincerity that Hester has which makes her different than everyone else. Many who carry a red token wouldn't be able to confront an authority that has the power to do anything yet; Hester is fearless when saying these words in order to protect Pearl.
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This chapter really does show how much of a powerful character Hester is. Even if Pearl drives her crazy sometimes she knows that she is still the only thing that keeps her going. Hester realizes that it is her duty to guide her daughter toward the right path.
ReplyDeleteDayanna, I like how you evaluated Hester's confronting authority as making her an individual in her society. Do you think that this is an example of transcendentalist thinking?
ReplyDeleteThank you Mrs. Ross. I'm not so sure but I would agree in part with it being a transcendental thinking because Hester accepts herself as she is. Hester accepts the fact that she had sinned and learned to live by that. Also, one of my favorite quotes that we studied was "live from the inside out." This connects to Hester because she is being sincere about her feelings and how she has learned though her experiences.
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DeleteI too saw how powerful of a character Hester is. I also got the impression that Hester need's Pearl just as much as Pearl need's Hester. Hester says that Pearl is her happiness and misery and the only thing she posses now causing her to cling to the child even more.
ReplyDeleteOn page 97, it introduces Governor Bellingham's sister, Mistress Hibbins. She invites Hester to go to the forest with her and visit the "black man" which references to the devil.
DeleteBut Hester refuses and replies "I must.. keep watch over my little Pearl. Had they taken her from me, I would willingly have gone with thee into the forest.." The chapter closes with the sentence, "Even thus early had the child saved her from Satan's snare."
Not only is Pearl, Hester's only companion, but she is her rock; she keeps her sane and prevents her from completely giving in to temptation.