The Scarlet Letter Endings!!! (Chapters 15-24 Pgs.171-259)

Whoa, I finally finished reading the Scarlet letter (disappointing).  The ending of the novel for me truly was the WORST ending that could have ever been written.  Like, really *Spoiler* Dimmesdale dies and the manner in which it happens, I personally believe was stupid.  At first I thought that he was faking his death, and was just pretending to be dead because earlier I thought that there was a plot that him and Hester planned before boarding their escape ship.  Well, after looking into it, I found out that he actually dies *thanks conclusion *. But furthermore the entire novel as a whole wasn't that bad until his dead ( I actually enjoyed it,until Dimmesdale dies which made the ending really bad for me).  

I actually enjoyed Chapter 15 brcause we finally know Hester's true feeling toward Chillingsworth (like we couldn't have guessed before), she hates him and I don't blame her.  I mean come on he was once a good guy that spoiled because of her.  By the way he seems annoying.  In this chapter I couldn't help but feel and be annoyed with Pearl at the same time.  For a little girl she experienced a lot ( mostly torment from rotten kids) and though she was unconditionally loved by Hester she probably wanted more love.  Little kids have questions and Pearl kept on questioning the identity of people who she would constantly see ( Dimmesdale and Chillingsworth-ironic) but Hester never wanted to give her an answer.  At some times this angered me.  Hester shouldn't have ignored Pearl she should of at least told her something for Pearl was bright young individual.  

Chapter 16 to me wasn't that poppin.  I mean Pearl just keeps asking about who those people ( Dimmesdale and Chillingsworth), but her mother wouldn't really budge until Pearl sort of tricked her.Again like I stated earlier. Pearl truly is a smart child.

I enjoyed reading chapter 17, because Dimmesdale ( one of the only characters that I like, whom eventually dies ) comes back to Hester.  Their meeting to me was like the long awaited confrontation that they both had been waiting for.  Finally! Hester tell him the true identity of Chillingsworth, personally I felt that if she told him this earlier like seven years ago, so Dimmesdale wouldn't have been in the situation ( really sick ) that he was in.  Also he could have prepared himself for Chillingswoth evil tactics.  I love how after Dimmesdale finally finds out about the sin which Chillingsworth had done, he condemns it to be like the worst sin ever.  Who knew sweet old REVENGE was more sinful that ADULTERY? Who knew?  I was feeling very hopeful for the lovers, when they planned on leaving the stupid colony and returning back to the Old World ( England-like come the people and land there isn't ancient ).  I really love how they truly express their feeling about their ( adultery ) which they committed seven ( or more ) years ago.  

Chapter 18 really shows off Hester's true beauty ( I mean come on even the birds sang and the sun appeared-haha in your face Pearl your mommy doesn't scare the sun away ).  Hester finally takes off the hideous letter and hat ( yes girl yes) and the readers are given a description of her true beauty ( which I felt society wanted hidden-jealous people ).  I felt really happy that they were planning their getaway ( until Dimmesdale dies- Yes! if you were wondering, I will keep stressing his death in this blog post because I loved his character).  In the end of the chapter I was a little scared because at first I didn't know if Pearl had returned.

In Chapters 19 I felt sad for Pearl and I knew where she was coming from.  I know that in most of my blog posts I at times ( a lot ) criticize Pearls behavior, but her actions during these last few chapters were understandable.  As a little girl she probably was a little ( not so much ) confused on why her mother was talking to the minister in the forest ( secretly from public view ) and why she looked different ( beautiful ).  So when Hester beckons for her I felt as if at first she doesn't come because that wasn't the mother she was used to seeing ( a beautiful smiling women).  I laughed a little when Pearl finally came back to the mother after she put the "A" on her chest and covered her hair.  I don't blame her for disregarding Dimmesdale kiss.  I mean like come on in public he won't even hold their ( Pearl and Hester ) hands but wants to act like he cares for them by kissing them.  He should know that Pearl isn't into all that secret circle loving crew, she prefers PDA.  

Chapter 20 gave me so much hope as a reader.  I thought that they were finally going to leave and board a ship in a few day back to England where there sins and Chillingsworth were not known ( but it doesn't happen like I stated Dimmesdale dies- may god bless his poor wretched soul ).  Towards the end of the chapter one can tell that Dimmesdale finally has life ( which Chillingsworth killed spiritually earlier ).  The fact that he told Chillingsworth to leave and that his help wasn't needed anymore in a nonchalant manner was my cherry to a very sweet chapter.

The last four chapters truly disappoint me ( Dimmesdale dies-I cried ).  The first disappointment happened when I discovered that there was going to be another passenger on the ship with Hester, Pearl, and Dimmesdale ( like dude buzz off three's a crowd.  Whats four? Yeah that's right there isn't four because that would be too damn much! ).  Someone need to smack Chillingsworth into reality because what he is doing just isn't just revenge but INSANITY ( and I'm not talking Shaun T. baby!). 

 Mistress Hibbins is a prime example while I dislike the citizens of this no name town settlement.  I mean it obvious that she knows Hester and Dimmesdale secret but does she have to confuse my reading by going all ham on Hester in public.  In my opinion she isn't a witch ( learning about Salem improved my knowledge on this ) but in fact a BITCH that comes off as witch.  Alright let's fast forward to the part that truly made not only Hester sob with sorrow, but myself too.  I mean I was waiting for them to leave together on the ship after the election sermon, but that didn't happen ( you probably know what I going to express well here it sadly goes DIMMESDALE DIES!!!! BOO HOO BOO HOO BOO HOO HOO HOO!!!!).  At first I thought that Dimmesdale was acting when he brought Hester and Pearl on the scaffold and it was all a part of their plan.  He comes clean with his conscience guilt and everyone is there to see it, shocked but they see it.  I felt as if Pearl got closure from this public display of affection from her long awaited father ( as if she didn't have a clue, as if ), before he passed away.  The manner in which he passed away was truly sad and stupid.   Like come on he was young and then he stated that he was dying.  It truly angered me when Chillingswoth was trying to intervene in the sentimental moment.  Gosh! Can't he just stop for once like dude she never like you.  Yikes! The truth hurts doesn't it ( like he didn't know ).  

Chapter 24 gave me some good closure, but didn't fully repair my heart ( Dimmesdale died- say it ain't so just say it ain't so ).  Chillingsworth dies but leaves  his estate for Pearl after he dies the following year ( is it me or is this book just to ironic).  Wow that was an act of kindness which I wasn't expecting.  Pretty much life is good for them in the end.  Pearl is living a happy healthy life with her family and Hester finally finds peace after she dies and is buried  close by Dimmesdale.  I love that fact that women came to her for advice in her olden age days ( excuse my grammar ) and the towns see the true significance of the SCARLET LETTER "A".

The Scarlet Letter (Chapters 9-14 Pgs. 114-171)

Throughout most of my readings, these chapters made me feel truly sad (almost cried).  Prior to Chapter 9-14 I usually felt sorry for Hester, but during these chapters my emotions switched more towards Dimmesdale.  Why? Simple, he is sick (mentally and emotionally sick) and nothing but the truth which he is scared of can cure him of it.

In Chapter nine the characteristics of Roger Chillingsworth is revealed.  During most of the novel I despised him.  This was because he wanted to ruin Hester's life (like it wasn't bad enough) by finding the man who got her pregnant.  But after looking at the situation from his prospective who could truly blame the man.  I mean he survived being held captive by Native Americans only to come back to a town that declared him death and to a wife that had bore an illegitimate child that wasn't his.  He was probably looking to come back home to an adoring wife and a nice house, but he didn't.  Thus hiding his identity.  He decides to be a doctor a highly and rare profession during the colonial period of the Puritans.  My heart starting leaning towards father Dimmesdale who we later discovered to be sick.  This saddens me, because he was such a nice person despite everyone else in the town.  Why is he sick? Isn't he too young to be feeling sick.  I find it weird that when he is sick he puts his hand over his heart, maybe he is suffering from Heart pain and if so what type?  "He was often observed, on any light alarm or other sudden accident, to put his hand over his heart, with first a flush and then a paleness, indicative of pain"(Hawthorne 117).  Luckily(not) he goes to Chillingsworth to get some type of healing(I mean whats better than a doctor whose learned healing remedies from Native Americans).

I found chapter ten (10) to be a Guilty Pleasure (hahaha).  After moving in with Chillingsworth, Dimmesdale isn't yet healed.  To examine whats wrong with his patient Chillingsworth has to dig deep into his soul.  At this point of the novel I really start to wonder what the young clergyman is suffering from(figuring that it is probably a mental illness rather than a physical pain).  At some point I felt as if he was hiding something, that glimmered guilt.  "They grew out of his heart, and typify, it may be, some hideous secret that was buried with him, and which he had done better to confess during his lifetime"(Hawthorne 127), and Chillingsworth is seeing it to.  I felt that Chillingsworth was taking his patients illness too personal because he would here and there say some type of riddle hoping that Dimmesdale would crack.  I wanted to know the secret, but didn't want the "leech" to know it, and I felt that at a point Dimmesdale was going to crack; but thank God,Pearl comes in and distracts him.
Chapter eleven(11) really startled me, but made sense.  I was wondering why Chillingsworth was dancing like a alien(Satan) after he made a huge discovery in the previous chapter.  Why father Dimmesdale why did you have to be "A"s partner in crime, hey I don't blame Hester I mean father Dimmesdale's description doesn't seem to shabby for a male back then (look at Chillingsworth).  But why Dimmesdale, Tell me why?(well he's obviously isn't going to answer my question EVER, but I have a few reasons as to why perhaps-I'll state it later).  This answers most of my early questions as to what made him sick.  His own guilt was eaten him up and his appearance gave the townspeople (specifically Chillingsworth) a glimpse of it.  Towards the ending of the chapter I was confused and thought that he was going to commit suicide (this is the point which I started to cry), until I realized that he was going for a walk. 

In Chapter twelve(12) I feel that Dimmesdale is trying to follow the footsteps of Hester by going where she was punished for her crime, the scaffold.  Maybe he would of felt just like Hester did if he were to do it in the day where people can see him and not at night.  Out of nowhere Pearl and Hester join him in the scaffold (the long waited family reunion).  I'm not going to lie, this scenery made me choke a little.  I mean come on Dimmesdale is for once not sad he is happy  to finally have Hester and Pearl which was the connecting link towards the two (if your finally catching on, Yes! Dimmesdale if Pearl's father).  It really touched me when Pearl would ask the young father to stand with her and the her mother at noon; but all he would say was on Judgement day we I will stand by you(that is a long wait).  This religious context really get to me because as a practicing Catholic CHRISTIAN, Judgement day is the day that only one man(GOD the almighty) will judge your live on earth(an no one can hide from that judgement).  The sentimental moment is of course ruined by Chillinsgworth, who Dimmesdale finally sees a glimpse of evil (just a little too late).  After all his crazy shenanigans the previous night Dimmesdale is able to give a powerful sermon (hopefully it wasn't SINNERS in the hand of an Angry god-joking!!!!).  I found it a bit awkward that the sexton found his glove on the scaffold.  It got me thinking that may just maybe Dimmesdale didn't leave it there, but probably someone else.  Someone else who was there that night, that wants REVENGE.
Chapter thirteen (13) makes me realize wow, its been seven years since the beginning of the novel, and the infamous letter "A" meaning has somewhat changed in the townspeople's head.  Instead of looking at Hester with disgust they respect her as a strong "able" women.  But Hester, hasn't forgot what the letter means, the letter has made her a stronger women but not in a full good way.  I state this because in some way the scarlet letter has taken some of her passion away(I don't like).  But, after seeing Dimmesdale being sick (insane), some of that passion I feel comes back.  

In Chapter fourteen (14) I was happy that she tells Chillingsworth to BACK OFF a bit.  That it were better for her to come out with the adulterous crime earlier that to have him being punished like that.  Well Chillingsworth being that cold man that Hester made him be, didn't want that.  I feel like he wants everyone to start off good like he did before he found out that he wad betrayed then turn cold and mean.  "Was I not, though you might deem me cold, nevertheless a man thoughtful for others, craving little for himself-kind, true, just, and of constant if not warm affections? Was I not all this?  This quote makes me feel a little sympathetic towards Chillingsworth again (I can't help my emotions at time), because he was a nice guy who became a monster due to Dimmesdale.  Everyone need love.  Well, its obvious that Chillinsgsworth is not going to stop, his terror on Dimmesdale has just begun.

Scarlet Letter (Chapter 5-8 Pgs. 75-114)

         In Chapter five(5) my heart truly goes out to Hester.  A few years have passed and and she is no longer a prisoner in a sense.  Why do I contradict myself? Well, it's simple Hester is released from the prison and is free to reside anywhere, but she chooses to stay in the horrid community where she still secludes herself.  She resides in a small cabin in the town's suburbia(outside the town).  Why does she want to live in the town still?  Is she there for someone? "But there is a fatality, a feeling so irresistible and inevitable that it has the force of doom, which almost invariably compels human beings to linger around and haunt, ghost like, the spot where some great and marked event has given the color to their lifetime;and still the more irresistibly, the darker the tinge that saddens it"(Hawthorne 76).  This quote answers my pondering a bit.  I love how Hester continues living by doing what she loves which is being a seamstress.  She sews for the people in the town raging from different social backgrounds.  But it doesn't matter where they stand they all look at her the same way.  This angers me, because who the HELL are they to judge someone!  Especially the poor people who gladly take the cloths which are provided for them but look at the provider with disgust.  Who are they to judge Hester(or anyone for a matter of fact) they are poor and they obviously got poor by doing something; but Christians are preached not to judge the poor or where they are coming from just help them(Hester helped them) only God can judge us(the town isn't following the Christian ways).  Gosh! They are such hypocrites.  I find it fascinating but sad that Hester has never seamed a white dress, perhaps for a wedding.  I feel that the townspeople think that her impurity will be bad other pure women that are getting married to a man that they will later have a child with uncensored.

           In Chapter six(6) we finally meet Pearl, Hester's daughter.  Pearly is obviously the reason for Hester roaming around town with the Letter "A".  The name Pearl is so beautiful it  must means something to Hester.  "But she named the infant Pearl, as being of great price-purchased with all she had-her mother's only treasure!" (Hawthorne 85).  In the wicked world Hester lives in I felt that Pearl gave her hope.  She loved Pearl.  Pearl was all she had.  Pearl wasn't like the horrid Puritans that judged her.  In fact I felt as if Pearl was her body guard (who would've thought). It's funny how I don't compare Pearl to the Puritans.  She was far from being what the Puritan community wanted.  Well who can blame her she's been living in the town's outskirts with and adultours "A" women(joking!).  At first I really didn't know to interpret Pearl's characteristics.  Do I love her (like I do Hester) or do I dislike her?  Even though she is described as being  like her mother,which is good, her attitude disturbs me.  Hester should control her when they are out in public, even though she means well by defending her mom when kids laugh at them her actions are too much.  Hester has enough to worry about when she comes into town, she obviously doesn't want people making fun of her child(thinking that she is dysfunctional).  I tend to forget that Pearl has grown up, and it hits me when she talks(I feel that for a little girl she is a smart ass).  When Hester questions who her daughter is, Pearl disturbingly (well to me) replies "O, I am your little Pearl"(Hawthorne 94) and while she answers this she laughs and hopes up and down menacingly(this creeps me out).  My feelings about Pearl is a bit iffy. 

                                        How I view Pearl (Smart mouth)

             In Chapter seven(7) Hester visits the Governors house to give him gloves that embroiled.  On the way there they are met by the unpleasant kids.  But they doesn't bother Pearl.  She defends herself, I feel that she is growing up to be an independent women(a defiance to the community).  Well done Hester.  In the Governor's house I find it both disturbing and funny how Pearl points out a mirror that shows distorted body part.  It find it ironic how they both see the ugly in each other(HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!) Pearl points out how the "A" on her mother's chests which saddens Hester, but Hester is also disturbed by "that look of naughty merriment, with so much breadth and intensity of effect, that made Hester Prynne feel as if it cold not be the image of her own child, but of an imp " (Hawthorne 102) to her Pearl looks devilish.  Why does Hester look at Pearl as a devilish child at times?

                       This is what Hester probably sees in Pearl at times

           In Chapter eight(8) we finally meet the Governor,and his guests.  A lot happens in this chapter which fascinates me.  Hester hides behind the curtain so the Governor and guests can't see her, but Pearl. Why does she do that?  Does she want the people to see the beauty of the child before they see the sinner that created such a thing?  Well, she finally reveals herself and when she does they reveal their plans for her.  I felt for Hester when they want to take Pearl away from her.  Pearl was her everything , she was the only person at that point that loved her no matter who she was.  I love how Hester was so quick to defend herself when the Governor gave a valid reasoning to why they wanted to take Pearl away from her.  I shredded a tear when Hester said that she  was the only one that can truly teach her how to be a good Christian(by not following her).  She would do anything for her daughter( even die) and to me that is the GREATEST LOVE OF ALL (Whitney Houston moment).  Also did I mention, I how much I love Arthur Dimmesdale.  He is the only one in that ludicrous town that can see the true beautiful relationship between Hester and Pearl (now that's my kind of man).  As for Chillingsworth, he needs to chill (again I make myself laugh),  he still obviously has it out for the man that helped with the creation of Pearl.  You would think that after a few years he would forget.  I guess not, only time can tell what he finds out.

                                                                      Until the next blog friends

                                                                      Sincerely,

                                                                      If Your Girl Only Knew(Chin)

The Scarlet Letter (Beginnings)

The Scarlet Letter
(Chapters 1-4: Pgs. 45-74)
To me, the first chapter of "The Scarlet Letter" had a lot of input.  The author at first begins by giving a detail in where the story takes place.  The scenery, I feel gives a real good inlet of the society.  A new world that was far from being an ideal society (utopia), but in fact had its flaws since its inhabitants had been living there for a short period of twenty years.  The jail was a big symbol of the corrupt city.  "Some fifteen or twenty years after the settlement of the town, the wooden jail was already marked with weather-stains and other indications of age which gave a yet darker aspect to its beetle-browed and gloomy front"(46).  The first chapter also gives a great inlet of the Hester Prynne characteristics, by mentioning Anne Hutchinson.  Anne Hutchinson, was a puritan spiritual adviser whose religious teachings defied the Puritan leader of the Massachusetts Colony.  Hutchinson was a headstrong women and so is Hester Prynne during the opening scenes of chapter two (2).
In Chapter two(2) Hester is not only introduced, but the townspeople too.  I feel that the townspeople were very rude and ignorant.  The fact that the schoolboys had a short day in class because of Hester was too much.  They were just using Madam Prynne as an example for the whole town to see, what happens if they were to defy the church.  Your actions are made into a mockery in which everyone can judge you on.  Her crime was committing adultery, which is why she bore the letter "A".  I felt that the women and men in the town were not only jealous of her but afraid too.  This is because, even though Hester wanted to shriek out loud from the internal damage she was dealing with; she was still able to walk outside looking ladylike and beautiful (which is what men want in a women)  which made the women jealous.  As she was walking out of prison with the baby in her arms she held her head up high while smiling.  The townspeople (mostly the men) probably feared  how a women, who obviously didn't have much right during that period, could walk out with such poise and pride after committing a horrid crime.  Not to my surprise, they wanted her dead.  During the end of the chapter we are left with a little bit of Hester's history back home which reappears in Chapter three(3).
In Chapter three(3) when Hester's crime is made visible for the town to see, it captures a stranger's eye.  At first Hester didn't really take the stranger's stares' seriously because she didn't know him.  I felt that the stranger, whose identity isn't revealed yet is interested in Hester because he asks a townsman of who she is and what crime she has committed.  In this chapter I also felt that Hester has some compassion towards the young preacher Dimmesdale, who I feel in return feels the same way. I think that Hester loves the man who fathered her child because she still isn't giving us a hint of whom it might be.
To me, things in Chapter four(4) really heat up.  Hester is believed to be crazy and so a doctor comes.  At first I really didn't think to much of the visit because she was ill.  Until, I realize that the doctor is her husband and was the stranger whom she met earlier but didn't realize until now.  I think that after getting information from the townspeople on Hester he deliberately planned on being the doctor to visit her.  During the visit was when he planned to reveal his real identity.  Her husband at first wanted her dead, but later realized that he would rather enjoy seeing her live the way that the society wants ("A"); but not alone.  He is determined to find the man that impregnated her.