Pearl stepped out of the church a newly married woman. She was Invigorated with a sense of happiness she had never felt before. The people weren't looking upon her as a little impish child running amok in the colony any more. Instead, Pearl as showered with gifts, compliments, congratulatory words, all sorts of things that made her feel like a reinvented spirit. However, this was short lived...
After leaving the church and walking across the pale, narrow street to the ballroom, the wedding reception took place where everyone ate and enjoyed a delicious banquet followed by a galliard with the help of professional ballroom musicians and dancers. Pearl was having the time of her life until she walked over to the punchbowl that was on the table closest to the south wall. She was conversing with her friend Lynda while she advanced toward the table, and Lynda had such a loquacity about her that Pearl could not shake. She kept talking, and Pearl, not wanting to be rude or at all disrespectful, kept smiling and resuming eye contact whilst she poured herself a drink. This was impossible, for Pearl had to look away because she noticed that the ladel to scoop juice with was rather heavy, and she wondered if she had scooped an abnormally large batch of ice cubes on accident. She peeked, when Lynda took a break to regain her breath and her jaw dropped down through the floor the second her eyes met the contents of the liquidy saucer. The sombre and disgusting shape of a dead grey rat!
Within the next minute, everyone was running out of the ballroom, screaming their faces off, running for the nearest policeman on patrol to dispatch the problem. The wedding was officially ruined and all of the participants were all flooding the streets in pure terror.
Several years later, Pearl and her husband were very successful people in the field of medicine. She looked back on the memories of her wedding, and they were all happy moments to reminisce about. Yet, the dreadful memory of the dead rat turned out to be quite importunate, and she never live it down as the only thing that went wrong in her life while in Europe.
Monday, November 21, 2011
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
-~- DIALECTICAL JOURNAL #40 -~-
"Such a spiritual seer might have conceived, that, after sustaining the gaze of the multitude through seven miserable years as a necessity, a penance, and something which it was a stern religion to endure, she now, for one last time more, encountered it freely and voluntarily, in order to convert what had so long been agony into a kind of triumph" ((Chapter 21/PAGE 197))
The ultimate transformation is the desire of Hester and it's about to come to fruition. The seven years' torture is about to end as the New England Holiday arrives and she is staying out of the view of the public eye as best as she can. Truly, nature has attempted to sooth her guilt and turn everything that has happened into her life troublesome, into a powerful energy, triumph. (T r i u m p h = a seven letter word = complete)
Hester is ready to put this pain to rest, for after this passage, she voices, mentally, "Look your last on the scarlet letter and its wearer! Yet a little while, and she will be beyond your reach! A few hours longer, and the deep, mysterious ocean will quench and hide for ever the symbol which ye caused to burn upon her bosom!"
This is her farewell speech to the letter and her curse, which seems similar to a poem titled "Farewell" which was written by poet Walter de la Mare:
Another interesting thing that has reoccurred is the mention of the letter being swallowed up by the ocean. The ocean is what is said to have killed Chillingworth, so the ocean should hide the symbol away. However, Chillingworth did not die and the ocean cannot hide the symbol because of his presence in the community. Therefore the symbol cannot be hidden, which is what Roger has planned to do with Arthur; make apparent the symbol upon Arthur's chest to the public to watch him suffer.
The ultimate transformation is the desire of Hester and it's about to come to fruition. The seven years' torture is about to end as the New England Holiday arrives and she is staying out of the view of the public eye as best as she can. Truly, nature has attempted to sooth her guilt and turn everything that has happened into her life troublesome, into a powerful energy, triumph. (T r i u m p h = a seven letter word = complete)
Hester is ready to put this pain to rest, for after this passage, she voices, mentally, "Look your last on the scarlet letter and its wearer! Yet a little while, and she will be beyond your reach! A few hours longer, and the deep, mysterious ocean will quench and hide for ever the symbol which ye caused to burn upon her bosom!"
This is her farewell speech to the letter and her curse, which seems similar to a poem titled "Farewell" which was written by poet Walter de la Mare:
Look thy last on all things lovely,
Every hour. Let no night
Seal thy sense in deathly slumber
Till to delight
Thou have paid thy utmost blessing;
Since that all things thou wouldst praise
Beauty took from those who loved them
In other days.Another interesting thing that has reoccurred is the mention of the letter being swallowed up by the ocean. The ocean is what is said to have killed Chillingworth, so the ocean should hide the symbol away. However, Chillingworth did not die and the ocean cannot hide the symbol because of his presence in the community. Therefore the symbol cannot be hidden, which is what Roger has planned to do with Arthur; make apparent the symbol upon Arthur's chest to the public to watch him suffer.
-~- DIALECTICAL JOURNAL #39 -~-
"Not the less, however, came this importunately obtrusive sense of change. The same was true as regarded the acquaintances whom he met, and all the well-known shapes of human life, about the little town. They looked neither older nor younger, now; the beards of the aged were no whiter, nor could the creeping babe of yesterday walk on his feet today; it was impossible to describe in what respect they differed from the individuals on whom he had so recently bestowed a parting glace; and yet the minister's deepest sense seemed to inform him of their mutability." ((Chapter 20/PAGE 189))
Arthur has reached a significant change in his life and has acted quite strangely. He returns to the community that has remained the same for so long that he feels a tad out of place. The society is, again, never open to alternative interpretations, and aren't ones to cope with new ideas, so this lack of change is not surprising. However, Arthur's change has become something out of character due to his weakness and high position and influence on such a stubborn colony. Nature has given him a more positive outlook on the colony though, because either he feels that if he can undergo such a transformation, there should be no reason that the society cannot open up and change with him.
It could be this, or he may feel as if he is somewhat delusional and a tad high on life at the moment to really see straight. This would explain his odd thoughts and visions, which would be guilt getting into him and seriously driving him mad! D:<
Either way, the outward appearance of the society, regardless of what Arthur thinks he sees, is constant, and won't change due to the intolerant nature of the citizens and the government. Therefore, the town will forever be portrayed as this gray, sombre town without happiness and life..
Arthur has reached a significant change in his life and has acted quite strangely. He returns to the community that has remained the same for so long that he feels a tad out of place. The society is, again, never open to alternative interpretations, and aren't ones to cope with new ideas, so this lack of change is not surprising. However, Arthur's change has become something out of character due to his weakness and high position and influence on such a stubborn colony. Nature has given him a more positive outlook on the colony though, because either he feels that if he can undergo such a transformation, there should be no reason that the society cannot open up and change with him.
It could be this, or he may feel as if he is somewhat delusional and a tad high on life at the moment to really see straight. This would explain his odd thoughts and visions, which would be guilt getting into him and seriously driving him mad! D:<
Either way, the outward appearance of the society, regardless of what Arthur thinks he sees, is constant, and won't change due to the intolerant nature of the citizens and the government. Therefore, the town will forever be portrayed as this gray, sombre town without happiness and life..
-~- DIALECTICAL JOURNAL #38 -~-
"No man, for any considerable period, can wear one face to himself, and another to the multitude, without finally getting bewildered as to which may be the true." ((Chapter 20/PAGE 188))
Arthur can't keep living a lie with himself. The statement that nature always prevails and is always more powerful than anything made by men is paralleled with the dual lives Arthur has been living. The private guilt that has been killing him, caused due in part by society, will inevitably come out due to the nature (being public guilt in this instance) always presenting itself when its needed most. Sadly, whenever this happens and the truth is revealed, Chillingworth/society will be waiting and will pounce on the opportunity to make him feel bad and play his weak-willed character until it kills him.
Arthur can't keep living a lie with himself. The statement that nature always prevails and is always more powerful than anything made by men is paralleled with the dual lives Arthur has been living. The private guilt that has been killing him, caused due in part by society, will inevitably come out due to the nature (being public guilt in this instance) always presenting itself when its needed most. Sadly, whenever this happens and the truth is revealed, Chillingworth/society will be waiting and will pounce on the opportunity to make him feel bad and play his weak-willed character until it kills him.
-~- DIALECTICAL JOURNAL #37 -~-
"Hopefully, but a moment ago, as Hester had spoken of drowning it in the deep sea, there was a sense of inevitable doom upon her, as she thus received back this deadly symbol from the hand of fate. She had flung it into infinite space!" ((Chapter 19/PAGE 184))
In this passage the letter represents Chillingworth and the relationship between him, Hester, and Arthur.
She had removed the scarlet letter, and the flood of sunshine poured in all around her. It has been a burden and has caused emotional stress much like the presence of Chillingworth in the town without anyone knowing but her. Chillingworth is supposed to have "drowned in the deep sea" yet he came back from the dead and came to haunt the two parents. Thus, why the scarlet letter has only been removed for a short while, before coming back and causing shame.
The inevitable doom she feels is the death of Arthur that has been coming closer and closer as Chillingworth been living with him. The letter of shame returning to the bosom of Hester has reiterated the lack of public outcry from Arthur about his sin, leading to his death by privately containing himself coupled with Chillingworth's motives.
In this passage the letter represents Chillingworth and the relationship between him, Hester, and Arthur.
She had removed the scarlet letter, and the flood of sunshine poured in all around her. It has been a burden and has caused emotional stress much like the presence of Chillingworth in the town without anyone knowing but her. Chillingworth is supposed to have "drowned in the deep sea" yet he came back from the dead and came to haunt the two parents. Thus, why the scarlet letter has only been removed for a short while, before coming back and causing shame.
The inevitable doom she feels is the death of Arthur that has been coming closer and closer as Chillingworth been living with him. The letter of shame returning to the bosom of Hester has reiterated the lack of public outcry from Arthur about his sin, leading to his death by privately containing himself coupled with Chillingworth's motives.
-~- DIALECTICAL JOURNAL #36 -~-
"A squirrel... chattered at the child, and flung down a nut upon her head... A fox... looked inquisitively at Pearl, as doubting whether it were better to steal off, or renew his nap on the same spot. A wolf... came up, and smelt of Pearl's robe, and offered his savage head to be patted by her hand."
"The truth seems to be, however, that the mother-forest, and these wild things which it nourished, all recognized a kindred wildness in the human child." ((Chapter 18/PAGE 178))
"Dost thou not think her beautiful? And see with what natural skill she has made those simple flowers adorn her! Had she gathered pearls, and diamonds, and rubies, in the wood, they could not have become her better. She is a splendid child!" ((Chapter 19/PAGE 180))
Woodland creatures are taking notice of Pearl. There seems to be a social hierarchy with the three creatures mentioned and their actions.
The squirrel begins, the smallest of the animals, the most inferior of each, the prey. It throws a nut at Pearl's head. Now that's not very nice, but it seems to be reminiscent of the society's relationship with the religion it prides itself on. The Puritans hold religion so high in their ideals, yet they feel themselves bigger than it, and with a higher presence of authority. With the punishments carried out by them as well as the lack of acceptance of sin by the citizens, it is like the squirrel throwing the nut. Pearl has become this divine creature/wood-nymph who is much bigger than the squirrel, yet the animal still has the nerve to antagonize it and feel itself superior to her.
The next animal, the fox, remains neutral to Pearl, much like Hester to the society. Hester feels that she is displaced from the citizens and doesn't necessarily like the people associated with dealing with her punishment, yet she knows she is deserving of the scarlet letter. This is why the fox questions whether he should move away from Pearl, or continue sleeping.
Finally, the savage wolf, who is the largest and most vicious of the three creatures. Ironically, the beast bows his head in respect to Pearl and lets her pet it. The wolf appears to hold a high position, like Arthur, but recognizes his place and still shows his respect to the divine being. However, unlike Arthur, the wolf is a very strong being; well-known as being a sign of power and leadership. The wolf is what the people should aspire to be in relation with nature and God.
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"The truth seems to be, however, that the mother-forest, and these wild things which it nourished, all recognized a kindred wildness in the human child." ((Chapter 18/PAGE 178))
"Dost thou not think her beautiful? And see with what natural skill she has made those simple flowers adorn her! Had she gathered pearls, and diamonds, and rubies, in the wood, they could not have become her better. She is a splendid child!" ((Chapter 19/PAGE 180))
Woodland creatures are taking notice of Pearl. There seems to be a social hierarchy with the three creatures mentioned and their actions.
The squirrel begins, the smallest of the animals, the most inferior of each, the prey. It throws a nut at Pearl's head. Now that's not very nice, but it seems to be reminiscent of the society's relationship with the religion it prides itself on. The Puritans hold religion so high in their ideals, yet they feel themselves bigger than it, and with a higher presence of authority. With the punishments carried out by them as well as the lack of acceptance of sin by the citizens, it is like the squirrel throwing the nut. Pearl has become this divine creature/wood-nymph who is much bigger than the squirrel, yet the animal still has the nerve to antagonize it and feel itself superior to her.
The next animal, the fox, remains neutral to Pearl, much like Hester to the society. Hester feels that she is displaced from the citizens and doesn't necessarily like the people associated with dealing with her punishment, yet she knows she is deserving of the scarlet letter. This is why the fox questions whether he should move away from Pearl, or continue sleeping.
Finally, the savage wolf, who is the largest and most vicious of the three creatures. Ironically, the beast bows his head in respect to Pearl and lets her pet it. The wolf appears to hold a high position, like Arthur, but recognizes his place and still shows his respect to the divine being. However, unlike Arthur, the wolf is a very strong being; well-known as being a sign of power and leadership. The wolf is what the people should aspire to be in relation with nature and God.
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-~- DIALECTICAL JOURNAL #35 -~-
"All at once, as with a sudden smile of heaven, forth burst the sunshine, pouring a very flood into the obscure forest, gladdening each green leaf, transmuting the yellow fallen ones to gold, and gleaming adown the gray trunks of the solemn trees."
"Such was the sympathy of Nature--that wild, heathen Nature of the forest, never subjugated by human law, nor illumined by higher truth--with the bliss of these two spirits! Love, whether newly born, or aroused from a deathlike slumber, must always create a sunshine, filling the heart so full of radiance, that it overflows upon the outward world." ((Chapter 18/PAGE 177))
Again, the colours of nature show the sanctification of the seventh year as described in the previous blog, as well as the colours being a sign of society (gray) losing its hold on those it controls.
These passages show how the religion and the control it places on peoples' lives is, in itself, a very evil thing. Sudden smile of heaven, again shows God's blessing of the connection made between Arthur and Hester and the removal of the society's control by ripping off the letter from her chest. Then again, it is stated that nature is never subjugated by human law, which has been noted time and time again; yet, it says nature is never brightened or illuminated by higher truth/power. Could it be that God or a religion has been plagued by the society and Puritan lifestlye, that it can't be used as a healing device and has lost a certain aspect of divination? The only thing that can really bring out the healing power of nature is the true happiness between two souls overcoming life's challenges through suffering. "such was the sympathy of nature with the bliss of these two spirits!"
"Such was the sympathy of Nature--that wild, heathen Nature of the forest, never subjugated by human law, nor illumined by higher truth--with the bliss of these two spirits! Love, whether newly born, or aroused from a deathlike slumber, must always create a sunshine, filling the heart so full of radiance, that it overflows upon the outward world." ((Chapter 18/PAGE 177))
Again, the colours of nature show the sanctification of the seventh year as described in the previous blog, as well as the colours being a sign of society (gray) losing its hold on those it controls.
These passages show how the religion and the control it places on peoples' lives is, in itself, a very evil thing. Sudden smile of heaven, again shows God's blessing of the connection made between Arthur and Hester and the removal of the society's control by ripping off the letter from her chest. Then again, it is stated that nature is never subjugated by human law, which has been noted time and time again; yet, it says nature is never brightened or illuminated by higher truth/power. Could it be that God or a religion has been plagued by the society and Puritan lifestlye, that it can't be used as a healing device and has lost a certain aspect of divination? The only thing that can really bring out the healing power of nature is the true happiness between two souls overcoming life's challenges through suffering. "such was the sympathy of nature with the bliss of these two spirits!"
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