Salem society

I think there is provincialism in the Salem society and court as well. The people don't react well to this idea of there being witches because it is out of the norm it challenges their beliefs. Same with the court it won't tolerate anything that challenges the status quo. "Political opposition, thereby, is given an inhumane over lay... of all normally applied customs of civilized intercourse."(miller,2007) Would you guys agree? Or have other thoughts?

"Good" VS "Bad"

"It is as impossible for most men to conceive of a morality without sin as of an earth without sky." (Miller, 1276)

Is it possible for there to be "good" without "bad"?
Furthermore, who or what designates what is considered "good" and "bad"? 

Witch hunt

With all this blaming of others of being a witch, do you think that this is all a hoax to gain power?

Is Satan with them?

I noticed that during the Crucible's dialogue, the number 6 was thrown around a lot. I think I recall Reverend Mr. Parris saying his salary was $66. There was another example of the number 6 that I remember seeing, and with that, one can recall the "number of Satan" being 666. Can this be Miller implying that Satan is present and that he is the real cause of all the problems with the girls?

Why did Miller use real people in his play rather than complete fictional characters? What effect did it have upon the story so far?

The Crucible

The story has entertained my interest so far. Some connections i feel that can be made between The Scarlet Letter and The Crucible is in the character ulterior motives we've been exposed to thus far. Any ideas?

McCarthyism

Dictionary.com defines McCarthyism as "the practice of making unfair allegations or using unfair investigative techniques, especially in order to restrict dissent." Do you think that this is a normal human reaction in times of terror to impose this on the people around you? Or is it a political technique to gain more power over lives of the citizens? Is this similar to the events of 9/11?

Nathaniel Hathorne

As we know Hawthorne's father died, leaving his mother in grief and his children without a father figure; in the scarlet letter, Dimmesdale similarly abandons Hester, leaving her to publicly carry the burden of shame on her own and his daughter Pearl without the father she needed. A lot of you thought this made Dimmesdale a coward, and disapproved of his actions. Do you think that this is a representation that Hawthorne had some bitter feelings toward his father after witnessing all the pain and struggles that his mother went through? Do you think that is why he choose to portray Dimmesdale in that manner?

A Conclusion

"It is a curious subject of observation and inquiry, whether hatred and love be not the same thing at the bottom." (Hawthorne, 213)

What is your opinion of this quote?...Is there a fine line between the love and hate? or are they relatively one in the same?

Dimmesdales death

what is your perspective of the death of Dimmesdale? What meaning if any at all did you guys get from it?

A Broken Spell

Hester wishes that Pearl could "soothe away the sorrow that lay cold in her heart" but the child did not empathize with her mother,  her "elfish" nature prevented her from doing so. (pg 149)

However, in chapter 23 we see a complete transformation of Pearl

"the great scene of grief in which the wild infant bore a part, had developed all her sympathies and as her tears fell upon her father's cheek, they were the pledge that she would grow up amid human joy and sorrow nor foe ever do battle with the world, but be a woman in it.

She is no longer the naive child that ran along oblivious to human sorrows. She is not the same child that mocked her mother not truly understanding the pain she caused.. Having finally felt grief herself, she could now truly sympathize with her mother's anguish.

What were your thoughts on Pearl's eye-opening moment? Do you think that it is too late for her to grow into this new found role in time to be there for her mother?

Hidden message?

Does anyone believe that the story "The Chrysanthemums" had an underlying message to the reader? If so what is it and your interpretation of it?

   Pearl is the one who moves the action in this chapter, and her response to Dimmesdale and Hester together does not foreshadow a happy ending. In fact, more than ever, Pearl is a symbol of the passionate act of her parents committed  She is a constant reminder of both their sin and, if Hester tries momentarily to forget the past and find her solace, Pearl will disapprove. Pearl, throughout the novel, has shown herself to be untamable under human rules and laws and seems to lack human sympathy. Pearl, interpreted on one level, acts like a child who has suddenly realized that her world may be changing. However if she were my child I would have spanked her.

A Burdens weight

when you've been holding something in a secret of some sort or a guilt it eats you away till you get rid of it.I think we all can agree on that. In the Scarlet Letter we see this relief with Hester and Dimmesdale. When one       rids of this guilt or burden its like your a free of some supernatural power you no longer feel the weight of this unnatural weight."The decision once made, a glow of strange enjoyment threw its flickering brightness over the trouble of his breast.It was the exhilarating effect-upon a prisoner just escaped from the dungeon of his own heart-of the breathing the wild , free atmosphere of an unredeemed, unchristianized,lawless region." We see the effect of this release weight which burden carries now he no longer lives this lie and is set free not physically but from within himself."The stigma gone, Hester heaved a long, deep sigh, in which the burden of shame and anguish departed from her spirit.O exquisite relief! She had not known the weight, until she felt the freedom!" She has lost this weight which she had carried with her for seven years not knowing what this supernatural weight was or that it existed.Do you guys believe in this sort of thing being possible or is it that there are somethings which nothing can comfort us?

Elisa Allen

Going back to what I had said on my last post about Elisa Allen, why did she all of a sudden bring up the fights at the end of the story that her husband had mention? She seemed as if she was holding something in. Elisa might have brought up the fights for the fact of her looking back on how she tried to seduce the man in the wagon. In the passage it said " She was silent for a while; then she said, "Henry, at those prize fights, do the men hurt each other very much?... Well , I've read about how they break noses, and blood runs down their chests. I've read how the fighting gloves get heavy and soggy with blood." It goes on to conclude that "She turned up her coat collar so he could not see that she was crying weakly--like an old woman." When she brought this up, could it be possible that she was imagining what would happen if her husband caught her trying to seduce the man? That if he caught her, her husband and the man would have a violent confrontation. She was ashamed for even thinking of it however "She grew complete again. "I'm strong," she boasted. "I never knew before how strong."

The Chrysanthemums

After reading The Chrysanthemums and discussing with a few others, there are many questions that haven't been answered. One that still crosses my mind was why was Elisa Allen crying at the end? In the passage it says "She was kneeling on the ground looking up at him. Her breast swelled passionately. The man's eyes narrowed. He looked away self-consciously... Elisa's voice grew husky. She broke in on him. "I've never lived as you do, but I know what you mean. When the night is dark--why, the stars are sharp pointed and there's quiet. Why, you rise up and up! Every pointed star gets driven into your body. Its like that. Hot and sharp and--lovely."(page 6) Could she be crying because of guilt? The guilt of even thinking about possibly committing adultery and how attempted to seduce the man in the wagon. What are your insights on this?

Running away

I find it hard to believe that the story will end with Hester, Dimesdale and Pearl living happily ever after. I feel that they are running away from their problems by choosing to flee to Europe. I believe that Dimesdale will never truly be free until he admits to the whole town of his sin.

Pearl embodies the essence of Nature/Freedom

I noticed the narrators description of pearl and her interaction with nature in chp.18 was intricately layered with the mutual  understanding of both Pearl and Nature and the respect and desire they shared to be with one another. "A wolf, it is said,- but here the tale has surely lapsed into the improbable,- came up, and smelt of Pearl's robe, offered his savage head to be patted by her hand. The truth seems to be however, that the mother-forest, and these wild things which it nourished, all recognized a kindred wildness in the human child." This passage to me implies the idea that these two forces share a mutual respect for one another.

Love

"Love, whether newly born, or aroused from a deathlike slumber, must always create a sunshine, filling the heart so full of radiance, that it overflows upon the outward world" (168)

I chose to post this quote because I feel it shows the power of love. How one emotion can change you completely, inside and out. Do you believe love can change you?

Is it okay to lie to children?

In Chapters 15 and 16 Hester lies to Pearl about why she wears the scarlet letter. I understand she feels the need to protect her daughter from the sin she's committed, but I was wondering if is it better for a parent to lie to their child about their past mistakes or to be honest?
I think parents should always be honest with their children; it is important for kids to know that their parents are not perfect. I feel like Hester should have told Pearl the meaning of the scarlet letter when Pearl first asked. She's going to learn the truth eventually, and I think it would've been better for her to hear it from her mother.

The Pastor and His Parishioner

"...'he whom they call Roger Chillingworth!- he was my husband!' The minister looked at her, for an instant, with all that violence of passion, which- intermixed, in more shapes than one, with his higher, purer, softer qualities- was, in fact, the portion of him which the Devil claimed, and through which he sought to win the rest. Never was there a blacker or a fiercer frown, than Hester now encountered... He sank down on the ground, and buried his face in his hands" (pg.160,161). While reading this, I loved how Nathaniel Hawthorne made the emotions come to life; you could feel the pain, the anger and despair of Dimmesdale. Imagine meeting your mistress in such a intimate setting such as the woods, and come to find out that the man who has been your life support is the husband of her. The man you allowed to come into your home. The man who you thought was your 'friend'... (Yikes X10 is right) As the story continues, Dimmesdale also reveals the hierarchy of sin as he states that Chillingworth's vengeance is worst then adultery. Do you think vengeance is worse then adultery?

Dimmesdale's Chest??

Does anyone else find it strange how the minister is constantly grabbing his chest? Also, do you remember the end of chapter ten, The Leech and His Patient, when Chillingworth saw something on the minister's chest and then rejoiced? What do you guys think all of this means??

Freedom

"She had wandered, without rule or guidance, in a moral wilderness; as vast, as intricate and shadowy, as the untamed forest...Her intellect and heart had their home, as it were, in desert places, where she roamed as freely as the wild Indian in his woods." (Pg. 165) I loved this quote! It can be described as a transcendentalist thinking because in my opinion this shows about the freedom to live. The liberty to live without rules or guidance. Even though we are forced to live a life based on rules or principles that aren't suppose to be broken, our hearts can decide something different that aren't bases of society that let us be free within ourselves. What did you guys think about this chapter or quote?