1977. In some novels and plays certain parallel or recurring events prove to be significant. In an essay, describe the major similarities and differences in a sequence of parallel or recurring events in a novel or play and discuss the significance of such events. Do not merely summarize the plot.
Each time we revisit a familiar place, new memories are created; no two visits are exactly the same. In our minds, we view these revisits as normal experiences, but in literature, these occurrences are almost always symbolic. In The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, Hester's visits to the scaffold represent both the progression of the novel and the unraveling of the novel's biggest secret.
There are three instances in which Hester stands on the scaffold. Each time she stands there Hawthorn is emphasizing a major event. In the beginning of the novel, Hester stands before the town with her baby Pearl in her arms. She is stoic as she stands alone and refuses to say the name of the father of her child. This visit to the scaffold emphasizes how brave Hester is and how cowardly Dimmesdale is. This scene is important to the plot because it gives the audience a sense of curiosity of who the father is and allows them to see the type of community Hester lives in.
In the middle of the novel, Hester, Pearl and Dimmesdale meet on the scaffold in the middle of the night by chance. In this scene, Dimmesdale is acknowledging the fact that he is Pearl's father and also a sinner. In comparison to the first scene on the scaffold, this scene has both Hester and Pearl again with the addition of Dimmesdale, except the towns people are missing. This scene represents the start of Dimmesdale's acceptance, but because this meeting is in the dark of night with no witnesses besides Hester and Pearl we can see that he has not fully forgiven himself. Hawthorne's use of imagery in this scene allows us to understand who Dimmesdale feels comfortable to share this information with. By being in a public place with the absence of people and the cover of night, the readers have a strong image of Dimmesdale's emotions towards his secret.
In the final visit to the scaffold, both Hester and Pearl are present once again, as well as the towns people and Dimmesdale. Here, Dimmesdale reveals his secret to the entire town and then shortly dies afterwords. While the three are standing on the scaffold, they are all free of their secrets as they are displayed in front of the entire town. This scene is free of secrecy as compared to the first encounter on the scaffold where Dimmesdale remained hidden from the public. By having Dimmesdale stand on the scaffold in front of the town, Hawthorne is emphasizing the fact that Dimmesdale has come clean and accepted his sin.
These three visits to the scaffold are emphasizing the beginning, middle and the end of the novel by comparing who is on the scaffold and who they are in front of. These scenes cause the novel to tie itself together and creates a better sense of what is going on in the novel.
There are three instances in which Hester stands on the scaffold. Each time she stands there Hawthorn is emphasizing a major event. In the beginning of the novel, Hester stands before the town with her baby Pearl in her arms. She is stoic as she stands alone and refuses to say the name of the father of her child. This visit to the scaffold emphasizes how brave Hester is and how cowardly Dimmesdale is. This scene is important to the plot because it gives the audience a sense of curiosity of who the father is and allows them to see the type of community Hester lives in.
In the middle of the novel, Hester, Pearl and Dimmesdale meet on the scaffold in the middle of the night by chance. In this scene, Dimmesdale is acknowledging the fact that he is Pearl's father and also a sinner. In comparison to the first scene on the scaffold, this scene has both Hester and Pearl again with the addition of Dimmesdale, except the towns people are missing. This scene represents the start of Dimmesdale's acceptance, but because this meeting is in the dark of night with no witnesses besides Hester and Pearl we can see that he has not fully forgiven himself. Hawthorne's use of imagery in this scene allows us to understand who Dimmesdale feels comfortable to share this information with. By being in a public place with the absence of people and the cover of night, the readers have a strong image of Dimmesdale's emotions towards his secret.
In the final visit to the scaffold, both Hester and Pearl are present once again, as well as the towns people and Dimmesdale. Here, Dimmesdale reveals his secret to the entire town and then shortly dies afterwords. While the three are standing on the scaffold, they are all free of their secrets as they are displayed in front of the entire town. This scene is free of secrecy as compared to the first encounter on the scaffold where Dimmesdale remained hidden from the public. By having Dimmesdale stand on the scaffold in front of the town, Hawthorne is emphasizing the fact that Dimmesdale has come clean and accepted his sin.
These three visits to the scaffold are emphasizing the beginning, middle and the end of the novel by comparing who is on the scaffold and who they are in front of. These scenes cause the novel to tie itself together and creates a better sense of what is going on in the novel.
Original: Open Prompt # 2
I really like your topic sentence, it easily captures my attention. By "the secret" you meant that Dimmesdale is Pearl's father right? You should also make that point clear in the intro. Also, Dimmesdale dies right after accepting his sin, which in a sense represents progression, so that should also be mentioned in your conclusion. Other than that, you used good claims to support your arguments. I'm impressed how you compared Dimmesdale and Hester on the scaffold three times and were able to describe the significance of these events, I know I would've struggled doing that. Nice work.
ReplyDeleteThis is a very good essay. I really liked your intro and the way you brought in DIDLS. Also, your analysis of the role darkness plays really adds depth to the piece. Nice job!
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