There is currently much debate on whether the novel “Scarlet Letter”, by Nathaniel Hawthorne, should be considered a classic or not. To determine whether this book should be categorized as a classic, we must first determine the criteria that define what a classic entails. The handout “What are Classics? What Do They Mean?”, by Esther Lombardi, lists three main components that a classic should have. Firstly, a classic usually expresses some artistic quality, such as life, truth, or beauty. Secondly, the book must stand the test of time. Classics usually give great insight into how life was like back in the time period it was written, even though the book may be still highly popular years down the road. Lastly, a classic should have universal appeal. Classics should speak to every human being because of the emotional themes it incorporates, such as love, hate, death, life, and faith.
By examining the story line and conflicts of the character, I believe “Scarlet Letter” expresses some artistic quality. The expressions of life versus death, truth versus deception, and sin versus public standards all have a way of appealing to the reader. The author has used these themes to enrich the human mind and incorporate irony into grim situations. This book may be considered artistic because the author expressed his own thought, observation, and invention while using his unique style to create an interesting and controversial piece of literature.
Even though “Scarlet Letter” is at times hard to read, I believe it can be understood by readers from any generation. The book was written back in 1850 and was set in a 17th century Puritan society. Even though the book is well over 150 years old, it is still being read and recognized by many people today. This piece of work also gives great representation to how society was back in colonial times. By seeing this evidence, it is obvious that “Scarlet Letter” has truly stood the test of time and deserves its label as a timeless story.
The novel “Scarlet Letter” also has a great universal appeal and is read and understood by people of all walks of life. The themes it portrays makes it easy for human beings to understand and relate to the text. The book plays off of our emotions as it depicts themes of love, hate, death, sin, judgment, and faith. This story truly makes a statement about human experience and examines the morals of society at the time it was written. The themes in “Scarlet Letter” are universal and, because of this, it is a story to which we can all relate.
By looking at Lombardi’s criteria for a literature classic, I think “Scarlet Letter” has met and exceeded the bar. It entails artistic quality, stands the test of time, and has universal appeal. Even though reading the book may be bland at times, I believe the classic components are noticeable in the text and themes of the story. Many years down the road, I still believe people will be reading “Scarlet Letter” and consider it a classic.
In a little side note, I decided to make it much easier to determine whether “Scarlet Letter” should be determined a classic or not by using a quote by Mark Twain. “A classic is something that everyone wants to have read and nobody wants to read”. I couldn’t agree more! According to this quote, I believe “Scarlet Letter” might be the biggest classic ever known to mankind.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Scarlet Letter Quote 6
"Thou hast escaped me!" [Chillingworth] repeated more than once. "Thou hast escaped me!"
Throughout the whole story, Chillingworth has been constantly trying to discover who his wife committed adultery with. After discovering who it is, Chillingworth plans to seek revenge upon him in response of his feeling of betrayel. In many cases leading up to this point Chillingworth taunts Dimmesdale. Chillingworth’s revenge plan is ruined when Dimmesdale publicly exposes his sin, which Chillingworth was planning to do all along. By saying “Thou hast escaped me”, it sounds like Chillingworth views the predicament as a game that amuses him. Because he repeats it more than once, he seems very distraught about his master plan going down the drain. Chillingworth is upset that he no longer has a grip on Dimmesdale, because now everybody knows his wrongdoing.
This is somewhat important to the story because it reveals Chillingworth’s intentions. It is also the climax of the story because the secret is out. Dimmesdale has admitted to his sin and the question of “Who is the father?” is finally answered. It is interesting to see the reaction of Chillingworth when he hears that Dimmsdale had confessed. The reader can tell that Chillingworth was aghast because he had nothing to hang over the head of DImmesdale anymore. In a sense, Chillingworth is free from the secret holding him down. This quote also compares the personality of Chillingworth and Dimmesdale. While Chillingworth uses the bad situation for selfish gain and entertainment, Dimmesdale truly wanted to be free of his sin and confess his wrongdoing. At this point in the book the dominoes have fallen and we got to see the reactions of those experiencing the confession.
Throughout the whole story, Chillingworth has been constantly trying to discover who his wife committed adultery with. After discovering who it is, Chillingworth plans to seek revenge upon him in response of his feeling of betrayel. In many cases leading up to this point Chillingworth taunts Dimmesdale. Chillingworth’s revenge plan is ruined when Dimmesdale publicly exposes his sin, which Chillingworth was planning to do all along. By saying “Thou hast escaped me”, it sounds like Chillingworth views the predicament as a game that amuses him. Because he repeats it more than once, he seems very distraught about his master plan going down the drain. Chillingworth is upset that he no longer has a grip on Dimmesdale, because now everybody knows his wrongdoing.
This is somewhat important to the story because it reveals Chillingworth’s intentions. It is also the climax of the story because the secret is out. Dimmesdale has admitted to his sin and the question of “Who is the father?” is finally answered. It is interesting to see the reaction of Chillingworth when he hears that Dimmsdale had confessed. The reader can tell that Chillingworth was aghast because he had nothing to hang over the head of DImmesdale anymore. In a sense, Chillingworth is free from the secret holding him down. This quote also compares the personality of Chillingworth and Dimmesdale. While Chillingworth uses the bad situation for selfish gain and entertainment, Dimmesdale truly wanted to be free of his sin and confess his wrongdoing. At this point in the book the dominoes have fallen and we got to see the reactions of those experiencing the confession.
Scarlet Letter Quote 5
“Mother,” said [Pearl], “was that the same minister that kissed me by the brook?”
“Hold thy peace, dear little Pearl!” whispered her mother. “We must not always talk in the market-place of what happens to us in the forest.”
This conversation between Hester and her daughter is talking about an instance where the two of them came upon Dimmesdale, Pearl’s real father, in the forest. These quotations show the significant difference between social norms in civilization and lack thereof in the wilderness. The rules that apply in the Puritan society have little to no effect outside of those towns. It also recalls the fact that many people are different in a private setting than in public settings. People may have many secrets hidden in the “forests” of their lives and try to keep them as far away from civilization as possible. The forest can also represent a place where social expectations do not hold one down, and freedom and fantasy can take over. In the example of the text, the trio that met up in the forest was planning to flee in order to start a new life. If this was known throughout the Puritan town, it would not be accepted.
This conversation between mother and daughter is very important in adding to the story. Pearl’s question infers that the minister was acting differently in public then when they met in private. In the forest, Dimmesdale kissed his daughter Pearl but in the town he could not acknowledge her in this way in fear of public scrutiny. Hester’s response to her daughter’s question also adds great importance to the storyline. When she tells her daughter to not talk about what happens in the forest while at the marketplace, she is distinguishing the difference between the private and public relationship of her and Dimmesdale. Hester is also planning on fleeing with Dimmesdale and does not want the public to find out and diminish the fantasy of the plan. Overall, this explanation of settings in the book also defines the different settings in human character and the difference between the character’s private and public outlook.
“Hold thy peace, dear little Pearl!” whispered her mother. “We must not always talk in the market-place of what happens to us in the forest.”
This conversation between Hester and her daughter is talking about an instance where the two of them came upon Dimmesdale, Pearl’s real father, in the forest. These quotations show the significant difference between social norms in civilization and lack thereof in the wilderness. The rules that apply in the Puritan society have little to no effect outside of those towns. It also recalls the fact that many people are different in a private setting than in public settings. People may have many secrets hidden in the “forests” of their lives and try to keep them as far away from civilization as possible. The forest can also represent a place where social expectations do not hold one down, and freedom and fantasy can take over. In the example of the text, the trio that met up in the forest was planning to flee in order to start a new life. If this was known throughout the Puritan town, it would not be accepted.
This conversation between mother and daughter is very important in adding to the story. Pearl’s question infers that the minister was acting differently in public then when they met in private. In the forest, Dimmesdale kissed his daughter Pearl but in the town he could not acknowledge her in this way in fear of public scrutiny. Hester’s response to her daughter’s question also adds great importance to the storyline. When she tells her daughter to not talk about what happens in the forest while at the marketplace, she is distinguishing the difference between the private and public relationship of her and Dimmesdale. Hester is also planning on fleeing with Dimmesdale and does not want the public to find out and diminish the fantasy of the plan. Overall, this explanation of settings in the book also defines the different settings in human character and the difference between the character’s private and public outlook.
Scarlet Letter Quote 4
“Indeed, the same dark question often rose into her mind, with reference to the whole race of womanhood. Was existence worth accepting, even to the happiest among them? As concerned her own individual existence, she had long ago decided in the negative, and dismissed the point as settled. A tendency to speculation, though it may keep woman quiet, as it does man, yet makes her sad. She discerns, it may be, such a hopeless task before her. “
At this point in the story, I believe Hester Prynne feels like she cannot handle the daily pressures and speculation she if forced to endure day after day. Just because she is quiet and does not speak up when faced with ridicule and public speculation, does not mean the harsh words and stares do not hurt her. This quote suggests that she was momentarily contemplating whether she should live anymore or not. However, she is too strong to take the easy way out of her hardship and decided long ago she would not end her life in that fashion.
This quote is important to the story because it gives great insight into the feelings and thoughts of the main character, Hester Prynne. While many times, we may see Hester Prynne as an emotionless woman, this quote shows that she has feelings and in a sense her womanly side is built up. Even though she committed adultery, she is still a woman with a heart, despite how the Puritan society views her. The quote also makes a connection between women and men as a whole. In many cases, especially back in colonial times women were seen as inferior and obedient. However, this quote expressed that women have the same emotions as men have. She also recognized the long road ahead of her. In the darkness of the situation she found herself in, she could not see a light at the end of the tunnel. It would take much work to complete the task of being back to normalcy.
At this point in the story, I believe Hester Prynne feels like she cannot handle the daily pressures and speculation she if forced to endure day after day. Just because she is quiet and does not speak up when faced with ridicule and public speculation, does not mean the harsh words and stares do not hurt her. This quote suggests that she was momentarily contemplating whether she should live anymore or not. However, she is too strong to take the easy way out of her hardship and decided long ago she would not end her life in that fashion.
This quote is important to the story because it gives great insight into the feelings and thoughts of the main character, Hester Prynne. While many times, we may see Hester Prynne as an emotionless woman, this quote shows that she has feelings and in a sense her womanly side is built up. Even though she committed adultery, she is still a woman with a heart, despite how the Puritan society views her. The quote also makes a connection between women and men as a whole. In many cases, especially back in colonial times women were seen as inferior and obedient. However, this quote expressed that women have the same emotions as men have. She also recognized the long road ahead of her. In the darkness of the situation she found herself in, she could not see a light at the end of the tunnel. It would take much work to complete the task of being back to normalcy.
Scarlet Letter Quote 3
"But, if it be the soul's disease, then do I commit myself to the one Physician of the soul! He, if it stands at his good pleasure can cure; or kill! Let him do with me as, in his justice and wisdom, he shall see good. But who are thou, that meddlest in this matter? - that dares thrust himself between the sufferer and his God?" (pg. 115)
Because of the sin that he had committed and the secret he kept from others, Dimmesdale has felt tortured in his circumstances and literally became physically ill. In response to his decreasing health, Chillingworth tried to use his expertise as a physician to “help” the minister. In all reality, Chillingworth was trying to make Dimmesdale confess to having adultery with his wife. In response to this, Dimmesdale cries out this quote and makes it clear that Chillingworth is not the one to handle the situation, but God is the one to do with him as he pleases. He states that God can cure him of feeling this way or kill him whenever he wishes, and a wordly physician like Chillingworth is not needed.
This quote suggests the extreme trouble Dimmesdale believes he is in. The problem is not on the surface and con not be fixed by any human doctor, but the issue penetrates to the soul. Because of the sin Dimmesdale committed, he is in need of the forgiveness of God and he realizes that. Because he is a minister, Dimmesdale understands God’s laws and is not expected to break them, so when he does he can hardly handle the guilt and sorrow. However, he knows that God works in ways that no man can understand, especially Chillingworth who has the wrong intentions in helping him. Dimmesdale makes it clear he does not need Chillingworth in the middle of everything adding his thoughts, when the main issue is between himself and the Father.
Because of the sin that he had committed and the secret he kept from others, Dimmesdale has felt tortured in his circumstances and literally became physically ill. In response to his decreasing health, Chillingworth tried to use his expertise as a physician to “help” the minister. In all reality, Chillingworth was trying to make Dimmesdale confess to having adultery with his wife. In response to this, Dimmesdale cries out this quote and makes it clear that Chillingworth is not the one to handle the situation, but God is the one to do with him as he pleases. He states that God can cure him of feeling this way or kill him whenever he wishes, and a wordly physician like Chillingworth is not needed.
This quote suggests the extreme trouble Dimmesdale believes he is in. The problem is not on the surface and con not be fixed by any human doctor, but the issue penetrates to the soul. Because of the sin Dimmesdale committed, he is in need of the forgiveness of God and he realizes that. Because he is a minister, Dimmesdale understands God’s laws and is not expected to break them, so when he does he can hardly handle the guilt and sorrow. However, he knows that God works in ways that no man can understand, especially Chillingworth who has the wrong intentions in helping him. Dimmesdale makes it clear he does not need Chillingworth in the middle of everything adding his thoughts, when the main issue is between himself and the Father.
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