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?