Scarlet letter chapter 5 Essay example -- essays research papers

Chapter Five Hester at Her NeedleSummaryHester is released from prison and finds a cottage in the woods, near the outskirts of the city, to set up her modernistic bearing. Hawthorne comments on the fact that she does not avail herself of the opportunity to escape to a new life without shame in some some other city. He remarks that lots lot are irresistibly drawn to live near the bulge where a great has occurred. He further comments that even if that is not the reason, Hester may have been inclined to remain in Boston because her secret buff still lived there. Hesters skill at needlework, earlier shown in the fine trend that she displayed the scarlet letter, allows her to maintain a fairly stable lifestyle. However, her reputation as an out moulding and loner causes a certain aura to be cast around her. Thus, Hawthorne points out that young children often crept up to her house to undercoer agent on her while she worked. He also comments that in spite of her superior needlewo rk, she was never called upon to set a bridal gown due to her reputation. Hester spends her epoch working on the projects which bring in her income, and devotes the remainder of her work to creating garments for the poor. She lives manifestly with the sole exception beingness that she creates amazing dresses of fine fabrics for Pearl. Hesters social life is virtually eliminated as a result of her shameful history. She is treated so poorly that often preachers will stop in the street and down to deliver a lecture as she walks by. Hester also begins to hate children, who unconsciously realize there is something different about her and olibanum start to travel along her with "shrill cries" through the city streets. One of the things which Hester starts to notice is that every in one case in a while she receives a sympathetic glance, and feels like she has a companion in her transgression. Hawthorne puts it, "it gave her a sympathetic knowledge of the hidden sin in o ther hearts." This is interesting because many of the people Hawthorne accuses of hypocrisy as regards the scarlet letter are, "a venerable minister or magistrate," people who are viewed as models of "piety and justice." AnalysisThe fact that Hester stays in Boston is likely due to the fact that she is too ashamed to go anywhere else. With the humiliation of receiving the scarlet letter, her tenacity and will-power are destroyed, causing her ... ...nister for support, and makes the other men aware that Dimmesdale knows Hester better than they thought. Dimmesdale steps forward with his surpass over his heart, again hiding the scarlet letter which he feels upon his breast. This also ties post to Chillingworths comment that he will recognize Pearls true father by "reading" his heart. Dimmesdale then correctly compares Pearl to the scarlet letter upon her mothers bosom, and manages to keep an eye on the mother and daughter together. Pearls response is uni que at this juncture, in that she takes the ministers hand and redacts her cheek against it. This simple gesture is full of meaning, because it implies that Pearl recognizes Dimmesdale as being connected to her. Dimmesdale responds by kissing her on the forehead, in a find claiming her as his own child. The scene in which Mistress Higgins invites Hester into the woods to abut the Black Man is important. It largely acts to foreshadow events, but also serves to make a statement about the woods. The forest is the wilderness around Boston, and thus is an amoral backdrop. Thus, when Hester meets with Dimmesdale later in the story, the meeting will also take place in the forest.