Chapter 1 Journal
"But, on one side of the portal, and rooted almost at the threshold, was a wild
rose-bush, covered, in this month of June, with its delicate
gems, which might be imagined to offer their fragrance and
fragile beauty to the prisoner as he went in, and to the
condemned criminal as he came forth to his doom, in token
that the deep heart of Nature could pity and be kind to him."---This passage means that a beautiful thing can occur in the darkest places. This chapter basically says that you can still see a good thing when you do something bad. The rosebush is imagery because it's a beautiful thing in a gloomy setting. Something good can happen out of something bad.
rose-bush, covered, in this month of June, with its delicate
gems, which might be imagined to offer their fragrance and
fragile beauty to the prisoner as he went in, and to the
condemned criminal as he came forth to his doom, in token
that the deep heart of Nature could pity and be kind to him."---This passage means that a beautiful thing can occur in the darkest places. This chapter basically says that you can still see a good thing when you do something bad. The rosebush is imagery because it's a beautiful thing in a gloomy setting. Something good can happen out of something bad.
Chapter 2 Journal
"A new life had awaited her there, still connected to the
misshapen scholar—a new life, but one that fed off of the
past, like a tuft of moss on a crumbling wall."---This passage means that now that she has a daughter, her life is going to change. But her life is affected from her past and her husband so she is going to have some problems. This chapter introduces us to Hester and Pearl and she is on the scaffold to look at the village people and to be shamed for her wrong doing. She wears the "A" with such passion that she obviously doesn't care what other people think. She also doesn't want to tell who her husband is.
misshapen scholar—a new life, but one that fed off of the
past, like a tuft of moss on a crumbling wall."---This passage means that now that she has a daughter, her life is going to change. But her life is affected from her past and her husband so she is going to have some problems. This chapter introduces us to Hester and Pearl and she is on the scaffold to look at the village people and to be shamed for her wrong doing. She wears the "A" with such passion that she obviously doesn't care what other people think. She also doesn't want to tell who her husband is.
Chapter 3 Journal
"“I will not speak!” answered Hester, turning pale as death, but responding to
this voice, which she too surely recognized. “And my child must
seek a heavenly Father; she shall never know an earthly one!”--- This passage means that Hester doesn't want to tell who her husband is. In this chapter they are still on the scaffold and everybody including Dimmesdale and Wilson want Hester to confess. This chapter introduces us to the character Chillingworth. She will not speak, but in the bunch of people circling the scaffold she sees her husband. They make eye contact and you can tell they haven't seen each other in a while. To see them so close but yet so far away is nerve racking. Then Hester goes to jail.
this voice, which she too surely recognized. “And my child must
seek a heavenly Father; she shall never know an earthly one!”--- This passage means that Hester doesn't want to tell who her husband is. In this chapter they are still on the scaffold and everybody including Dimmesdale and Wilson want Hester to confess. This chapter introduces us to the character Chillingworth. She will not speak, but in the bunch of people circling the scaffold she sees her husband. They make eye contact and you can tell they haven't seen each other in a while. To see them so close but yet so far away is nerve racking. Then Hester goes to jail.
Chapter 4 Journal
“We have wronged each other,” answered he.--- This passage means that Chillingworth has wronged Hester and Hester has wronged Chillingworth. He interviews Hester, but they talk about their past. It still haunts them and now even more that Pearl was born. This chapter brings us more into Hester's protection over Pearl and more of Chillingworth's relationship with Hester.
Chapter 5 Journal
This passage means that even though Hester committed a sin, she can still do good. She is very good at making things with her sewing. This chapter tells us that Hester is trying to move on with her life and she's distracting herself with other hobbies such as sewing. Moving on is a theme in this chapter. In this manner, Hester Prynne came to have a part to perform in the world. -" In this manner, Hester Prynne came to have a part to perform in the world.
with her native energy of character, and rare capacity, it could not entirely cast her off, although it had set a mark upon
her, more intolerable to a woman’s heart than that which branded the brow of Cain.
with her native energy of character, and rare capacity, it could not entirely cast her off, although it had set a mark upon
her, more intolerable to a woman’s heart than that which branded the brow of Cain.
Chapter 6 Journal
“He did not send me!” cried she, positively. “I have no
Heavenly Father!”
“He did not send me!” she cried
with certainty. “I don’t have a heavenly father!”
“Hush, Pearl, hush! Thou must not
talk so!” answered the mother, suppressing a groan. “He sent
us all into this world. He sent even me, thy mother. Then, much
more, thee! Or, if not, thou strange and elfish child, whence didst thou come?”--- This passage tells us more about the relationship between Pearl and Hester. Pearl is more grown up and Hester has still not told her about her father. Pearl wants to know who the father is, but she doesn't get an answer. Pearl is more devilish and more naughty than the other children.
Heavenly Father!”
“He did not send me!” she cried
with certainty. “I don’t have a heavenly father!”
“Hush, Pearl, hush! Thou must not
talk so!” answered the mother, suppressing a groan. “He sent
us all into this world. He sent even me, thy mother. Then, much
more, thee! Or, if not, thou strange and elfish child, whence didst thou come?”--- This passage tells us more about the relationship between Pearl and Hester. Pearl is more grown up and Hester has still not told her about her father. Pearl wants to know who the father is, but she doesn't get an answer. Pearl is more devilish and more naughty than the other children.
Chapter 7 Journal
"It had reached her ears, that there was a design on the part
of some of the leading inhabitants, cherishing the more rigid
order of principles in religion and government, to deprive
her of her child"--- This passage tells us more about how the townspeople think about Hester. They think that she is not ready to be a mother. This passage tells about Hester going to the governor's house and their way there. It tells us about the Governor's house and how it looks like.
of some of the leading inhabitants, cherishing the more rigid
order of principles in religion and government, to deprive
her of her child"--- This passage tells us more about how the townspeople think about Hester. They think that she is not ready to be a mother. This passage tells about Hester going to the governor's house and their way there. It tells us about the Governor's house and how it looks like.
Chapter 8 Journal
"The point hath been weightly discussed, whether we, that are of authority and influence,
do well discharge our consciences by trusting an immortal soul, such as there is in yonder child, to the guidance of one who hath stumbled and fallen, amid the pitfalls of this world."--- This passage tells us that Hester is not viewed as a motherly figure. This chapter tells us more about how Pearl reacts around other people. DImmesdale also defends Hester by saying that God has sent that child for Hester and that it's her responsibility now. At the end she sees Mistress Hibbins who invites her to see the Devil. This is kind of creepy.
do well discharge our consciences by trusting an immortal soul, such as there is in yonder child, to the guidance of one who hath stumbled and fallen, amid the pitfalls of this world."--- This passage tells us that Hester is not viewed as a motherly figure. This chapter tells us more about how Pearl reacts around other people. DImmesdale also defends Hester by saying that God has sent that child for Hester and that it's her responsibility now. At the end she sees Mistress Hibbins who invites her to see the Devil. This is kind of creepy.
Chapter 9 Journal
"Alas, to judge from the gloom and terror in the depths of the poor minister’s
eyes, the battle was a sore one, and the victory any thing but secure!"-- This passage tells us that Chillingworth can tell that he can easily manipulate Dimmesdale. He wants to get closer to Dimmesdale. In this chapter it tells us more about Chillingworth and about his past. He stays with Dimmesdale at his house so that he can get to know him better. They start to become friends but soon after he starts to think of ways to hurt Dimmesdale mentally.
eyes, the battle was a sore one, and the victory any thing but secure!"-- This passage tells us that Chillingworth can tell that he can easily manipulate Dimmesdale. He wants to get closer to Dimmesdale. In this chapter it tells us more about Chillingworth and about his past. He stays with Dimmesdale at his house so that he can get to know him better. They start to become friends but soon after he starts to think of ways to hurt Dimmesdale mentally.
Chapter 10 Journal
"A rare case!” he muttered. “I must needs look deeper into
it. A strange sympathy betwixt soul and body! Were it only
for the art’s sake, I must search this matter to the bottom!”--- This passage describes Chillingworth's desire to hurt Dimmesdale. In this chapter they start talking about sins and how men deal with them. They see Hester and Pearl outside their house and say that Hester must deal with that sin of a daughter. They also have different opinions about sins and they argue. Chillingworth then finds a Red "A" on Dimmesdale's chest when he is asleep. This excites Chillingworth.
it. A strange sympathy betwixt soul and body! Were it only
for the art’s sake, I must search this matter to the bottom!”--- This passage describes Chillingworth's desire to hurt Dimmesdale. In this chapter they start talking about sins and how men deal with them. They see Hester and Pearl outside their house and say that Hester must deal with that sin of a daughter. They also have different opinions about sins and they argue. Chillingworth then finds a Red "A" on Dimmesdale's chest when he is asleep. This excites Chillingworth.
Chapter 11 Journal
"All that dark treasure to be lavished on the very man, to
whom nothing else could so adequately pay the debt of vengeance!"--- This passage describes Dimmesdale's dark secrets revealed to a man who only wants vengeance (Chillingworth). This chapter talks more about DImmesdale and how he takes on his sins and how he punishes himself for it. He talks how he is no use of a reverend and that he should tell somebody at this. He thinks it's only a matter of time before Chillingworth gets the better of him.
whom nothing else could so adequately pay the debt of vengeance!"--- This passage describes Dimmesdale's dark secrets revealed to a man who only wants vengeance (Chillingworth). This chapter talks more about DImmesdale and how he takes on his sins and how he punishes himself for it. He talks how he is no use of a reverend and that he should tell somebody at this. He thinks it's only a matter of time before Chillingworth gets the better of him.
Chapter 12 Journal
“But wilt thou promise,” asked Pearl, “to take my hand,
and mother’s hand, to-morrow noontide?” “Not then, Pearl,” said the
minister, “but another time!” “And what other time?” persisted the
child. “At the great judgment day!” whispered the
minister"--- This passage means that Dimmesdale will stand by Hester and Pearl on Judgement Day when they tell the truth. This chapter has lots going on. Dimmesdale wants to tell his sin on the scaffold. A meteor in a shape on an "A" appears. (Imagery) Winthrop dies and there's another scaffold scene. This gets us more closer to DImmesdale desperation of telling everybody the truth.
and mother’s hand, to-morrow noontide?” “Not then, Pearl,” said the
minister, “but another time!” “And what other time?” persisted the
child. “At the great judgment day!” whispered the
minister"--- This passage means that Dimmesdale will stand by Hester and Pearl on Judgement Day when they tell the truth. This chapter has lots going on. Dimmesdale wants to tell his sin on the scaffold. A meteor in a shape on an "A" appears. (Imagery) Winthrop dies and there's another scaffold scene. This gets us more closer to DImmesdale desperation of telling everybody the truth.
Chapter 13 Journal
"Such helpfulness was found in her,—so much power to do, and
power to sympathize,—that many people refused to interpret the scarlet A by
its original signification. They said that it meant Able; so
strong was Hester Prynne, with a woman’s strength."--- This passage says that the letter "A" has a new meaning. In the chapter Hester has a new view of the world. She helps the poor and needy and she takes care of Pearl well. She thinks that she has been able to live with her sins. She wants to go to Chillingworth and tell him to stop messing with DImmesdale.
power to sympathize,—that many people refused to interpret the scarlet A by
its original signification. They said that it meant Able; so
strong was Hester Prynne, with a woman’s strength."--- This passage says that the letter "A" has a new meaning. In the chapter Hester has a new view of the world. She helps the poor and needy and she takes care of Pearl well. She thinks that she has been able to live with her sins. She wants to go to Chillingworth and tell him to stop messing with DImmesdale.
Chapter 14 Journal
“Hast thou not tortured him enough?” said Hester,
noticing the old man’s look. “Has he not paid thee all?”
“No!—no!—He has but increased the
debt!” --- This passage is of Chillingworth and Hester talking about Dimmesdale. They're at the shore where Chillingworth is collecting herbs for medicine. Hester then confronts him about his harm to Dimmesdale. Chillingworth says that he has increased his debt because he now knows that he has something to do with Hester. He will not stop until Dimmesdale has had enough.
noticing the old man’s look. “Has he not paid thee all?”
“No!—no!—He has but increased the
debt!” --- This passage is of Chillingworth and Hester talking about Dimmesdale. They're at the shore where Chillingworth is collecting herbs for medicine. Hester then confronts him about his harm to Dimmesdale. Chillingworth says that he has increased his debt because he now knows that he has something to do with Hester. He will not stop until Dimmesdale has had enough.
Chapter 15 Journal
“My little Pearl,” said Hester, after a moment’s silence,
“the green letter, and on thy childish bosom, has no purport.
But dost thou know, my child, what this letter means which
thy mother is doomed to wear?”--This passage tells us that Pearl is becoming more interested with the Scarlet Letter.
She becomes curious and she asks Hester why does she wear it. This chapter brings us more into their relationship as a mother and daughter. They tend to have different opinions.
“the green letter, and on thy childish bosom, has no purport.
But dost thou know, my child, what this letter means which
thy mother is doomed to wear?”--This passage tells us that Pearl is becoming more interested with the Scarlet Letter.
She becomes curious and she asks Hester why does she wear it. This chapter brings us more into their relationship as a mother and daughter. They tend to have different opinions.
Chapter 16 Journal
"Mother,” said little Pearl, “the sunshine does not love you. It runs away and
hides itself, because it is afraid of something on your bosom--- This passage tells us that Pearl is aware of Nature's attitude againest the Scarlet Letter on Hester's chest. They are in the forest because Hester is going to talk to Dimmesdale about the identity of her husband. She is afraid of how he is going to react once he hears who it is.
hides itself, because it is afraid of something on your bosom--- This passage tells us that Pearl is aware of Nature's attitude againest the Scarlet Letter on Hester's chest. They are in the forest because Hester is going to talk to Dimmesdale about the identity of her husband. She is afraid of how he is going to react once he hears who it is.
Chapter 17 Journal
"Oh, Arthur!” she cried, “forgive me! I have tried to be
true in everything else! Truth was the one thing I could hold
onto through all of the troubles—except when your life and
your reputation were called into question! Then I agreed to a
deception. But a lie is never good, even if the alternative
is death! Don’t you see what I am trying to say? That old man—the doctor they
call Roger Chillingworth—he was my husband!”---This passage tells us that Hester has revealed her husband's name to Dimmesdale. This chapter gets us more closer to Hester and Dimmesdale's relationship with each other. They are trying to figure out what to do and that they should go somewhere new so that they can live together and start all over.
true in everything else! Truth was the one thing I could hold
onto through all of the troubles—except when your life and
your reputation were called into question! Then I agreed to a
deception. But a lie is never good, even if the alternative
is death! Don’t you see what I am trying to say? That old man—the doctor they
call Roger Chillingworth—he was my husband!”---This passage tells us that Hester has revealed her husband's name to Dimmesdale. This chapter gets us more closer to Hester and Dimmesdale's relationship with each other. They are trying to figure out what to do and that they should go somewhere new so that they can live together and start all over.
Chapter 18 Journal
"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 breathing the wild, free atmosphere of an
unredeemed, unchristianized, lawless region.--- This passage says that once that Hester and Dimmesdale has decided to run away from the village, they felt great as if they have been held prisoned for some time and that they are now free. This chapter's theme is hope. Hester is now hoping that they can actually get out of here and start fresh without the shuns and without the Scarlet Letter.
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 breathing the wild, free atmosphere of an
unredeemed, unchristianized, lawless region.--- This passage says that once that Hester and Dimmesdale has decided to run away from the village, they felt great as if they have been held prisoned for some time and that they are now free. This chapter's theme is hope. Hester is now hoping that they can actually get out of here and start fresh without the shuns and without the Scarlet Letter.
Chapter 19 Journal
“I see what ails the child,” whispered Hester to the clergyman, and turning
pale in spite of a strong effort to conceal her trouble and
annoyance. “Children will not abide any, the slightest,
change in the accustomed aspect of things that are daily
before their eyes. Pearl misses something which she has always
seen me wear!”--- This passage tells us that Pearl is upset because Hester does not have the Scarlet Letter anymore. She is sad because she felt attached to the Scarlet letter and that she can't stand not seeing it again. Pearl is connected to the letter because she is the scarlet letter. She is Hester's sin.
pale in spite of a strong effort to conceal her trouble and
annoyance. “Children will not abide any, the slightest,
change in the accustomed aspect of things that are daily
before their eyes. Pearl misses something which she has always
seen me wear!”--- This passage tells us that Pearl is upset because Hester does not have the Scarlet Letter anymore. She is sad because she felt attached to the Scarlet letter and that she can't stand not seeing it again. Pearl is connected to the letter because she is the scarlet letter. She is Hester's sin.
Chapter 20 Journal
"The edifice had so very strange, and yet so familiar, an
aspect, that Mr. Dimmesdale’s mind vibrated between two ideas;
either that he had seen it only in a dream hitherto, or that he was merely
dreaming about it now."--- This pasage describes Dimmesdale's Feelings about whether or not his walk to his house was a dream. This chapter tells more about Dimmesdale's evil thoughts. He has lots of temptations and he does not want to do them. He is thinking evil thoughts but he stands up to them and prepares to write a sermon.
aspect, that Mr. Dimmesdale’s mind vibrated between two ideas;
either that he had seen it only in a dream hitherto, or that he was merely
dreaming about it now."--- This pasage describes Dimmesdale's Feelings about whether or not his walk to his house was a dream. This chapter tells more about Dimmesdale's evil thoughts. He has lots of temptations and he does not want to do them. He is thinking evil thoughts but he stands up to them and prepares to write a sermon.
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