"So Roger Chillingworth--the man of skill, the kind and friendly physician--strove to go deep into his patient's bosom, delving among his principles, prying into his recollections, and probing every thing with a cautious touch, Like a treasure-seeker in a dark cavern." ((Chapter 9/PAGE 109))
Connected with the previous post, but occuring earlier in the book, is this excerpt once again suggesting that Chillingworth is to go into the deepest, darkest part of Dimmesdale's soul/heart. The highlighted section is the more important because the Chapter 10 correlates directly with this image. Chillingworth will spend a long time mining in the darkness of the inner Dimmesdale to find that dreadful secret he so anxiously desires. The implications on the rest of the words in this passage; such as 'delving', 'prying', and 'probing' all suggest that there could be something deeper to Dimmesdale than we, the readers, could imagine. Or perhaps it reflects the sadistic nature of Chillingworth for believing that Arthur has such a deep, sinful life that no one is aware of, and he hopes to expose him for what he is. This would also mesh ironically with the first sentence stating that Chillingworth is a 'kind and friendly physician' despite him going through so much trouble just to inflict suffering upon two people.
Arthur's other secrets could be real however, and not just something that Chillingworth imagines. Arthur is very keen in keeping his secrets and private life out of the book and in his mind. Therefore, he is likely punishing himself severely not just for one sin, but to make up for many in the past.
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Monday, October 24, 2011
-~- DIALECTICAL JOURNAL #17 -~-
"I know not Lethe nor Nepenthe, but I have learned many new secrets in the wilderness, and here is one of them..."
"...Drink it! It may be less soothing than a sinless conscience. That I cannot give thee. But it will calm the swell and heaving of thy passion, like oil thrown on the waves of the tempestuous sea." ((Chapter 4/PAGE 67))
What I found interesting here is the connection to the Greek culture as well as the underworld. The River Lethe and the Nepenthe plant were both things that the Greek said could be absorbed, drunk to forget. The forgetfulness is what Hester wants/needs. She is making a scene in her holding cell and she needs to calm down, however Chillingworth does not know true forgetfulness, for the pain of his wife's treason weights heavily on his mind. He administers a drink (or potion!) and insists she drinks, stating that he cannot guarantee her conscience to forget her sin, yet this is what he wants for Hester, so she can suffer for her disastrous deed.
The mentioning of the River Lethe brings up some dark imagery. Referring to the Greek Underworld suggests that Chillingworth is much darker than previously imagined. A place roughly equivalent to the Christian Hell is mentioned which makes his moniker as the 'Black Man' all the more eery.
Given the other names of the Rivers in the Underworld, each of the five represents something deeper about the characters and society of the book by bringing up a powerful emotion easily associated with either of the aforementioned elements.
The River Styx = The river of hate. Hate fuels Chillingworth's ambition for suffering. Overall, he hates life! He finds no joy in it other than the insatiable quest for infinite knowledge and Hester who had forsaken him. The hate is also felt by the Puritan followers for Hester, whom they feel as an abomination to the land who shall be shunned and publicly shamed.
The River Cocytus = The River of Lamentation/Grief. Chillingworth laments his loss of Hester, but takes his emotion and uses it as a tool, a weapon, against Arthur and his wife. Arthur laments the fact he is too weak to tell anyone about what he had done with Hester. The situation the characters are in is something that they will grieve over 'til they confess, die, or fulfill their ultimate revenge.
The River Acheron = The River of Pain. Pain seems to be the most apparent emotion out of all, next to hate. Despite all of the emotions widespread throughout the entire story, this one is, of course, painful and shows a great deal of impact on the actions of the characters. The pain in Arthur reflecting his guilt, the pain of Hester when she is going mad in the jail, the pain of Pearl being ridiculed by the local children. It's everywhere! Even better, Chillingworth feeds off of pain and wants Hester and Arthur to feel it as much as a soul is capable of enduring.
The River Phlegethon = The River of Fire. Granted, fire is not an emotion, however it burns like the passion felt by Chillingworth for Hester. Burns like Arthur's heart whenever Pearl or Hester bring forth his guilt. Burns red congruent with the crimson mark upon Hester's chest, the infinite guilt that is burned/branded onto her.
The last thing to mention, not as important, is the last bit of lines where he says, "like oil thrown on the waves of the tempestuous sea." which is an obvious reference to infamous Greek fire! :O
"...Drink it! It may be less soothing than a sinless conscience. That I cannot give thee. But it will calm the swell and heaving of thy passion, like oil thrown on the waves of the tempestuous sea." ((Chapter 4/PAGE 67))
What I found interesting here is the connection to the Greek culture as well as the underworld. The River Lethe and the Nepenthe plant were both things that the Greek said could be absorbed, drunk to forget. The forgetfulness is what Hester wants/needs. She is making a scene in her holding cell and she needs to calm down, however Chillingworth does not know true forgetfulness, for the pain of his wife's treason weights heavily on his mind. He administers a drink (or potion!) and insists she drinks, stating that he cannot guarantee her conscience to forget her sin, yet this is what he wants for Hester, so she can suffer for her disastrous deed.
The mentioning of the River Lethe brings up some dark imagery. Referring to the Greek Underworld suggests that Chillingworth is much darker than previously imagined. A place roughly equivalent to the Christian Hell is mentioned which makes his moniker as the 'Black Man' all the more eery.
Given the other names of the Rivers in the Underworld, each of the five represents something deeper about the characters and society of the book by bringing up a powerful emotion easily associated with either of the aforementioned elements.
The River Styx = The river of hate. Hate fuels Chillingworth's ambition for suffering. Overall, he hates life! He finds no joy in it other than the insatiable quest for infinite knowledge and Hester who had forsaken him. The hate is also felt by the Puritan followers for Hester, whom they feel as an abomination to the land who shall be shunned and publicly shamed.
The River Cocytus = The River of Lamentation/Grief. Chillingworth laments his loss of Hester, but takes his emotion and uses it as a tool, a weapon, against Arthur and his wife. Arthur laments the fact he is too weak to tell anyone about what he had done with Hester. The situation the characters are in is something that they will grieve over 'til they confess, die, or fulfill their ultimate revenge.
The River Acheron = The River of Pain. Pain seems to be the most apparent emotion out of all, next to hate. Despite all of the emotions widespread throughout the entire story, this one is, of course, painful and shows a great deal of impact on the actions of the characters. The pain in Arthur reflecting his guilt, the pain of Hester when she is going mad in the jail, the pain of Pearl being ridiculed by the local children. It's everywhere! Even better, Chillingworth feeds off of pain and wants Hester and Arthur to feel it as much as a soul is capable of enduring.
The River Phlegethon = The River of Fire. Granted, fire is not an emotion, however it burns like the passion felt by Chillingworth for Hester. Burns like Arthur's heart whenever Pearl or Hester bring forth his guilt. Burns red congruent with the crimson mark upon Hester's chest, the infinite guilt that is burned/branded onto her.
The last thing to mention, not as important, is the last bit of lines where he says, "like oil thrown on the waves of the tempestuous sea." which is an obvious reference to infamous Greek fire! :O
-~- DIALECTICAL JOURNAL #16 -~-
"The child probably overheard their voices; for, looking up to the window, with a bright, but naughty smile of mirth and intelligence, she threw one of the prickly burrs at the Reverend Mr. Dimmesdale. The sensitive clergyman shurnk, with nervous dread from the light missile. Detecting his emotion, Pearl clapped her little hands in the most extravagant ecstacy. Hester Prynne, likewise, had involuntarily looked up; and all these four persons, old and young, regarded one another in silence, till the child laugh aloud..." ((Chapter 10/PAGE 117))
The 2nd scaffold scene?!?!?
All four main characters are in this scene and we are faced with the same placement as the first.
The shameful ones that are to looked down upon forever are placed at the bottom:
1st Scene: 2nd Scene:
-Platform -The path near the Church (Ground)
(Hester and Pearl) (Hester and Pearl)
And the people who are elevated are those who are in power, revered throughout the community as pure men who hold positions of power.
1st Scene: 2nd Scene:
-Balcony -Church Window
(Governor, Arthur, and Wilson) (Chillingworth and Arthur)
I noticed the missing of a character. The balcony had 3 magistrates on it, and the 2nd only having two men. There's not much of a pattern here, however, I'm going to assume that the final 'scaffold scene' will only place one man in the raised platform, be it Arthur or Chillingworth. (More likely Chillingworth due to the hinting death that Arthur is going to suffer.)
There is a noticeable lack of public shame from the citizens of the Puritan town, but it isn't entirely missing. Oddly enough, it is those who are higher above that feel the shame. The pain is felt by Arthur and Chillingworth, who see the woman they love. For Arthur, it pains him to see that she is shunned by the community and that because of this, his child Pearl has in turn morphed into an imp! For Chillingworth, he is seeing the woman that was the only joy in his life being separated from society. This doesn't hit him as hard, but the only joy in his life gone and developing into the scum of the Earth, leads him down a spiteful journey in life that can only be cured by watching the others around him suffer. It is a sad life for Chillingworth to have to pain those who have wronged him in order to feel retribution.
Finally, there is one more hint to add to Chillingworth's suspicion, when Pearl sees her father in the window, she immediately smiles and playfully throws and spiky thorn at him. She is a little deviant, but she is trying to show affection. Moreover, she quickly moves her gaze from her father to the man standing next to him, and in the next paragraph she shouts, "Come away, or yonder Black Man will catch you! He has got hold of the minister already." This, serves well as a contrast between the two characters and their Pearl's disposition towards both of them, it also suggests that Chillingworth already has Arthur's soul/fate in his possession.
The 2nd scaffold scene?!?!?
All four main characters are in this scene and we are faced with the same placement as the first.
The shameful ones that are to looked down upon forever are placed at the bottom:
1st Scene: 2nd Scene:
-Platform -The path near the Church (Ground)
(Hester and Pearl) (Hester and Pearl)
And the people who are elevated are those who are in power, revered throughout the community as pure men who hold positions of power.
1st Scene: 2nd Scene:
-Balcony -Church Window
(Governor, Arthur, and Wilson) (Chillingworth and Arthur)
I noticed the missing of a character. The balcony had 3 magistrates on it, and the 2nd only having two men. There's not much of a pattern here, however, I'm going to assume that the final 'scaffold scene' will only place one man in the raised platform, be it Arthur or Chillingworth. (More likely Chillingworth due to the hinting death that Arthur is going to suffer.)
There is a noticeable lack of public shame from the citizens of the Puritan town, but it isn't entirely missing. Oddly enough, it is those who are higher above that feel the shame. The pain is felt by Arthur and Chillingworth, who see the woman they love. For Arthur, it pains him to see that she is shunned by the community and that because of this, his child Pearl has in turn morphed into an imp! For Chillingworth, he is seeing the woman that was the only joy in his life being separated from society. This doesn't hit him as hard, but the only joy in his life gone and developing into the scum of the Earth, leads him down a spiteful journey in life that can only be cured by watching the others around him suffer. It is a sad life for Chillingworth to have to pain those who have wronged him in order to feel retribution.
Finally, there is one more hint to add to Chillingworth's suspicion, when Pearl sees her father in the window, she immediately smiles and playfully throws and spiky thorn at him. She is a little deviant, but she is trying to show affection. Moreover, she quickly moves her gaze from her father to the man standing next to him, and in the next paragraph she shouts, "Come away, or yonder Black Man will catch you! He has got hold of the minister already." This, serves well as a contrast between the two characters and their Pearl's disposition towards both of them, it also suggests that Chillingworth already has Arthur's soul/fate in his possession.
-~- DIALECTICAL JOURNAL #15 -~-
"Where, my kind doctor, did you gather those herbs, with such a dark, flabby leaf?"
"Even in the graveyard, here at hand! They are new to me. I found them growing on a grave, which bore no tombstone, nor other memorial of the dead man, save these ugly weeds that have taken upon themselves to keep him in rememberance. 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." ((Chapter 10/PAGE 114-115))
The Scarlet Letter in this stage of the book is reminding me more and more of Cask of Amontillado since it appears that Chillingworth can't stop hinting at Dimmesdale's doom/guilt just as Montresor couldn't stop hinting at Fortunato's fate in the depths of a dark, cobweb-infested cellar.
Yet here, Chillingworth takes nature; something that has been symbolizing purity, serenity, and beauty, and is using it against the man of God. It is only fitting that since the truth is sought after, there is no better way of personifying it through nature, which cannot lie or keep secrets. Again, Chillingworth hypothetically puts Arthur in the grave again where he found his herbs. The guilt of the man in the grave was so intense since he died with a secret so sinful that weeds were all that were there to remember him.
Arthur is in a tough position at this point. Chillingworth is implying that his reputation, as of now, is clean and pure. He is a man of God who has brought liveliness to the quaint Puritan town and has inspired masses of people, driving their faith and love. Hester who is equally as pure, not as a woman of faith or social status, but as a product nature and beauty; a gift. Save for one incident, she is forever remembered by her sin and is doomed to die with no lasting memory or impact on the world other than a lesson to those who go against God.
Arthur will surely suffer the same fate, if he announces his adultery within the community. He will no longer be the purest, pious man in the town, but a puppet of Satan and a man destined to be banished to Hell to suffer with his fellow-sinner.
"Even in the graveyard, here at hand! They are new to me. I found them growing on a grave, which bore no tombstone, nor other memorial of the dead man, save these ugly weeds that have taken upon themselves to keep him in rememberance. 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." ((Chapter 10/PAGE 114-115))
The Scarlet Letter in this stage of the book is reminding me more and more of Cask of Amontillado since it appears that Chillingworth can't stop hinting at Dimmesdale's doom/guilt just as Montresor couldn't stop hinting at Fortunato's fate in the depths of a dark, cobweb-infested cellar.
Yet here, Chillingworth takes nature; something that has been symbolizing purity, serenity, and beauty, and is using it against the man of God. It is only fitting that since the truth is sought after, there is no better way of personifying it through nature, which cannot lie or keep secrets. Again, Chillingworth hypothetically puts Arthur in the grave again where he found his herbs. The guilt of the man in the grave was so intense since he died with a secret so sinful that weeds were all that were there to remember him.
Arthur is in a tough position at this point. Chillingworth is implying that his reputation, as of now, is clean and pure. He is a man of God who has brought liveliness to the quaint Puritan town and has inspired masses of people, driving their faith and love. Hester who is equally as pure, not as a woman of faith or social status, but as a product nature and beauty; a gift. Save for one incident, she is forever remembered by her sin and is doomed to die with no lasting memory or impact on the world other than a lesson to those who go against God.
Arthur will surely suffer the same fate, if he announces his adultery within the community. He will no longer be the purest, pious man in the town, but a puppet of Satan and a man destined to be banished to Hell to suffer with his fellow-sinner.
-~- DIALECTICAL JOURNAL #14 -~-
"He now dug into the poor clergyman's heart, like a miner searching for gold' or, rather, like a sexton devling into a grave, possibly in quest of a jewel that had been buried on the dead man's bosom..." ((Chapter 10/PAGE 113))
Roger Chillingworth is described to have been making connections with Mr. Dimmesdale, slowly becoming his friend but with a hidden agenda. He is looking for something, some information and some evidence to back up his suspicions on whether or not Arthur is the father of Pearl.
Though the comparison of Arthur's heart to gold would be understandable to anyone that had held a conversation with him or heard him deliver a sermon. It is true that Arthur Dimmesdale was a man widely respected and noted for his true kindness. However, in order for a miner to get to the gold, he must descend down a dark, dangerous cave. The cave in this instance being the shroud of guilt and pain the clergyman feels for wronging his God and sinning without the capacity to confess to anyone.
The next comparison is just as interesting as it is almost not a comparison. It is as if the narrator is detailing the inevitable fate that befalls Arthur. When Chillingworth finds out of this ignominious action against his wife, he will surely put in him in his grave. (Slowly however, for he wants him to suffer as much as possible.) The jewel that the sexton would be looking for would be the guilt, the sin that is printed on Hester's chest yet unsurprisingly invisible on Arthur's. Chillingworth wants to expose Dimmesdale (assuming his suspicions are correct.) for what he is and what he has done so he can jointly share the pain and public humiliation along with Hester and Pearl.
Last thing to point out is the ironic comparison of Chillingworth to the sexton. The sexton, being the church gravedigger, bell-ringer, or practically an errand-boy; would not be someone whom you would expect to be stealing the possessions of the dead. (The Jewel.) Chillingworth, being a highly-educated doctor would not be the person you would expect to be craving human suffering and feed off of the shame of others.
Roger Chillingworth is described to have been making connections with Mr. Dimmesdale, slowly becoming his friend but with a hidden agenda. He is looking for something, some information and some evidence to back up his suspicions on whether or not Arthur is the father of Pearl.
Though the comparison of Arthur's heart to gold would be understandable to anyone that had held a conversation with him or heard him deliver a sermon. It is true that Arthur Dimmesdale was a man widely respected and noted for his true kindness. However, in order for a miner to get to the gold, he must descend down a dark, dangerous cave. The cave in this instance being the shroud of guilt and pain the clergyman feels for wronging his God and sinning without the capacity to confess to anyone.
The next comparison is just as interesting as it is almost not a comparison. It is as if the narrator is detailing the inevitable fate that befalls Arthur. When Chillingworth finds out of this ignominious action against his wife, he will surely put in him in his grave. (Slowly however, for he wants him to suffer as much as possible.) The jewel that the sexton would be looking for would be the guilt, the sin that is printed on Hester's chest yet unsurprisingly invisible on Arthur's. Chillingworth wants to expose Dimmesdale (assuming his suspicions are correct.) for what he is and what he has done so he can jointly share the pain and public humiliation along with Hester and Pearl.
Last thing to point out is the ironic comparison of Chillingworth to the sexton. The sexton, being the church gravedigger, bell-ringer, or practically an errand-boy; would not be someone whom you would expect to be stealing the possessions of the dead. (The Jewel.) Chillingworth, being a highly-educated doctor would not be the person you would expect to be craving human suffering and feed off of the shame of others.
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
-~- DIALECTICAL JOURNAL #13 -~-
"Nay, from the moment when we came down the old church-steps together, a married pair, I might have beheld the bale-fire of that scarlet letter blazing at the end of our path!"
...
"I have said it. But, up to that epoch of my life, I had lived in vain. The world had been so cheerless!" ((Chapter 4/PAGE 68))
Roger recalls his life before marrying Hester stating that he has really found no joy in life, for he spent much time pursuing his insatiable quest for knowledge. He regrets not knowing that this turned him away from Hester, causing turmoil in his relationship. Nonetheless, Hester was the one joy in his life despite his wanderings and endless reading. But what is important, is that he relates his happiness upon the day of their marriage; the flame in his heart for her to the flame-colour in the letter on he gown. Roger, again makes this comparison because he is an outsider, just like the other two characters who have made positive mention of the letter. (The bond-servant and Pearl) However, Roger mocks Hester and notes that it is supposed to be a shameful letter, he has the ability to look past it because he knew Hester before her trail and public shame.
...
"I have said it. But, up to that epoch of my life, I had lived in vain. The world had been so cheerless!" ((Chapter 4/PAGE 68))
Roger recalls his life before marrying Hester stating that he has really found no joy in life, for he spent much time pursuing his insatiable quest for knowledge. He regrets not knowing that this turned him away from Hester, causing turmoil in his relationship. Nonetheless, Hester was the one joy in his life despite his wanderings and endless reading. But what is important, is that he relates his happiness upon the day of their marriage; the flame in his heart for her to the flame-colour in the letter on he gown. Roger, again makes this comparison because he is an outsider, just like the other two characters who have made positive mention of the letter. (The bond-servant and Pearl) However, Roger mocks Hester and notes that it is supposed to be a shameful letter, he has the ability to look past it because he knew Hester before her trail and public shame.
-~- DIALECTICAL JOURNAL #12 -~-
"Nay, if your worship can accomplish that, I shall own you for a man of skill indeed!" ((Chapter 4/PAGE 66))
The jailer says this to Roger Chillingworth before he leaves him alone with Hester to heal her. However, Roger is a man well-versed in the art of native medicine, alchemy, and regular medicine. All of these have thus no connection to religion other than 'healing powers', yet Roger's work is still far from worship as the jailer calls it. Because of this, the Puritan faith is not as perfect as it's made out to be, and lacks the healing and soothing of a medication to a sickness.
Taking this into account, perhaps the jailer speaks sarcastically, and figures that if Roger can actually 'worship' the sickness out of her, he will be a remarked as a very skillful man for the religious actions of everything up to this point in the book have done nothing but hurt another person rather than heal.
The jailer says this to Roger Chillingworth before he leaves him alone with Hester to heal her. However, Roger is a man well-versed in the art of native medicine, alchemy, and regular medicine. All of these have thus no connection to religion other than 'healing powers', yet Roger's work is still far from worship as the jailer calls it. Because of this, the Puritan faith is not as perfect as it's made out to be, and lacks the healing and soothing of a medication to a sickness.
Taking this into account, perhaps the jailer speaks sarcastically, and figures that if Roger can actually 'worship' the sickness out of her, he will be a remarked as a very skillful man for the religious actions of everything up to this point in the book have done nothing but hurt another person rather than heal.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)