" But sometimes, once in many days, or perchance in many months, she felt an eye-a human eye- upon the ignominious brand, that seemed to give her momentary relief, as if half of her agony were shared. The next instant, back it all rushed again, with a deeper throb of pain; for, in that brief interval, she had sinned anew. Had Hester sinned alone?" (Hawthorne, 2005, p. 72).
I know we discussed this quote in class, but I found it really intriguing. Hester wants to hold on to the belief that her lover will come and make the pain of staying back in the town worth it. If Hester's lover really cared about her, he would show himself. They both committed the sin. I admire Hester for refusing to tell on him, because she knows that if he really wants the town to know about their affair, he would come out himself. Hester is Ostracized by the town, for something she did not do alone, and her "lover" just stays in the shadows watching her get shamed by the townspeople.
Does he really care about her at all? What is keeping him from coming out? Do you think he is selfish for not coming out to be with his daughter and Hester? Do you guys think Hester is naive for staying in a town for a man who does not want to show himself to the world? Please tell me what you think of the passage down below.
I agree as well. Also, she knows that she isn't the only one who has committed a sin, however, she is the one who is being punished for the sin. So in a sense people don't treat as bad for they too have cheated.
ReplyDeleteI really like this quote because it does leave the reader questioning why it had to be only her paying for this sin. Pearl was a creation of two not one.
ReplyDeleteYeah Brianda, Pearl was a creation of both Dimmesdale and Hester. Hester should not be the only one paying for a sin she did not commit alone.
DeleteI love this quote Goodness. I believe that Arthur Dimmesdale will become scared to show himself and intentionally leave Hester to go live somewhere else. If he loved her, he wouldn't have let Hester stand on her own while she was being publicly accused. He would've stood up for the one that he loves even if he committed adultery.
ReplyDeleteYes Tonda, I agree if He really loved her he would not let Hester be shamed alone for a sin they both committed. Yeah if their loved mattered so much, why is he letting Hester raise little Pearl alone.
DeleteI liked this quote because it demonstrates that in a brief moment, Hester realizes she isn't the only one with sin. This makes me ponder on our society, how many people openly ridicule those caught in illicit acts yet are guilty of he same sin in secret. I think eventually she will confront her lover and he will be ashamed of letting her deal with all the humiliation alone.
ReplyDeleteYeah I can see that happening Alexis. She should confront him. Yeah there are many hypocritical people out there, who bash others for their transgressions, but never look at their own sins. We are all sinners, so why should we bash others for their sins, when we have our own.
DeleteI think Hester is making a selfless act by staying in the town where everyone judges her for Pearl. Even though Dimmesdale may not admit to what he did at the end of the day he's still the father of her child.
ReplyDeleteYeah I agree, Dimmesdale is the father of the child,no matter what. He might be afraid to come out, but he chose to commit the sin. If he really loved Hester enough to have an affair with her while being a holy minister, he would come out and be with her and his daughter. Maybe they could even move away and start a life in another town full of more understanding people.
DeleteYeah, eventually, Dimmmesdale is going to have to confess or else not only is Prynne being abashed by society, but he will also be consumed with guilt far greater. Like you said, if he really does love and care about Prynne and their child, she shouldn't be enduring all the blame herself.
ReplyDeleteYeah, if Dimmesdale cared about Hester at all, he would come out with his sin. The judgement he will get from the townspeoples mean more to him than his own child. While Hester is courageous woman, Dimmesdale would rather hide in the dark and let his sins consume him.
DeleteI believe that he does truly care for them but what is keeping him from coming out is his fear of the reaction of the townspeople. He is this perfect image to everyone and once this secret is revealed, everyone's perspective on him will change. I believe that Hester is being naive, even though he does care, he does not care as much to reveal his secret and be with his family.
ReplyDeleteOne could argue that he does truly care because the guilt he carries is physically taking a toll on his health which is representative of how much he cares;Dimmesdale cares so much that his guilt is literally killing him.
DeleteI agree with both of you. I also believe that he does truly care for them and like Nicole said his guilt is taking a physical toll on him so much so that its killing him.
DeleteI think Hester's lover does not really care about her because he is just embarrassed to show himself. He doesn't want people to think bad about him, although it is selfish of him I think he might care just a little bit. I think it does make Hester naive for staying in town because if he really cared about Hester and Pearl he wouldn't be hiding from everyone.
ReplyDeleteYes Roxana, I agree Hester does seem naive for staying in town for a man who will not show himself in public. He is so scared of showing himself, that he still has not confessed his role in the affair in 7 years. Pearl is 7 years old now, and still does not know who her father is.
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