The Scarlet Letter. Notes for Chapters 1-12

Transcription

1 The Scarlet Letter Notes for Chapters 1-12 Setting 1. Definition: The time and place of the events in a work of literature 2. The setting described in Chapter 1 sets the tone of the novel. This is not a happy fairy tale nor is it a horror story; rather it is a tale about life s trials and tribulations and how there is usually a beacon of hope in the midst of despairing circumstances. A. The prison is described as having weather-stains and a gloomy front with unsightly vegetation growing around it, thus creating the black flower of civilized society image. B. The rosebush is offered in contrast to the prison and is described as a sweet moral blossom to help relieve the darkening close of a tale of human frailty and sorrow. 3. This tale is set in Puritan New England, specifically Boston, Massachusetts; mid- 17 th century.

2 Symbolism 1. Definition: When something in a literary work stands for itself and something else 2. Here are some important symbols you need to know. A. The prison i. Represents despair and punishment Important in establishing the tone of the novel B. The rosebush i. Represents hope and relief Important in establishing the tone of the novel C. Sunlight or light in general i. Represents truth and honesty Can also represent revelation or exposure D. The scarlet letter i. Represents Hester s crime Has changing meanings: adultery, angel, and able E. The scaffold i. Represents confession and punishment Can also represent shame F. Pearl i. Her name means being of great cost She represents Hester s sin G. The forest i. Represents the unknown and mystery Also associated with evil and the devil

3 Characters 1. Definition: A person, animal, or idea in a work of literature 2. Here are some important characters you need to know. A. Minor characters i. Governor Bellingham Commissions a pair of gloves Governor Winthrop Dies on the night a letter A is seen in the sky i Reverend Wilson Questions Pearl about her religious training iv. Mistress Hibbins Practices witchcraft; widow of a Puritan magistrate B. Main characters i. Hester Prynne a. Chillingworth s wife and Dimmesdale s lover b. Pearl s mother c. Adulteress who appoints herself a Sister of Mercy Arthur Dimmesdale a. Pastor who commits adultery b. Hester s lover and Pearl s father c. As the story unfolds, his spiritual light dims i Roger Chillingworth a. Physician (leech) who seeks revenge b. Hester s husband, Roger Prynne c. As the story unfolds, he becomes the dark horse figure cold and calculating, driven by revenge

4 iv. Pearl a. Hester and Dimmesdale s daughter b. A product of sin c. Does not behave like a typical Puritan child Characterization 1. Definition: Ways in which an author develops a character (physical description, thoughts, actions, speech, interaction or response to other characters, etc.) 2. Here are some important terms you need to know. A. Direct characterization i. Definition: When the author tells the reader directly about the character Example: She had dark and abundant hair, so glossy that it threw off the sunshine with a gleam B. Indirect characterization i. Definition: When the author shows the character in action and lets the reader draw his own conclusion Example: Hester Prynne set forth towards the place appointed for her punishment. C. Protagonist Definition: Another name for the main character in a work D. Antagonist Definition: Character or force against which the protagonist is pitted E. Catharsis i. Definition: Emotional cleansing or release Example: When Dimmesdale confesses at the end of the novel

5 Conflict 1. Definition: Struggle between opposing forces 2. Here are some important terms you need to know. A. Types of conflict (with examples) i. Man v. himself (internal) a. Dimmesdale trying to come to terms with his sinful relationship with Hester and his relationship with God b. Hester trying to decide how to relate to Pearl and whether or not to tell Dimmesdale who Chillingworth really is Man v. man (external) a. Dimmesdale pitted against Chillingworth b. Hester trying to act as a buffer between Dimmesdale and Chillingworth i Man v. nature (external) a. Society s conflict with their perception of the forest as a mysterious and evil place b. Boston s real-life struggle against the elements (climate, weather, etc.) in order to survive iv. Man v. society (external) a. Hester s attempt to overcome how society views her b. Dimmesdale s struggle against being the town s saint v. Man v. supernatural (external) a. Society s battle against the evil forces of the devil b. All the characters fight for the salvation of their souls B. Internal conflict (within oneself) C. External conflict (against outside forces)

6 Theme 1. Definition: Main idea or moral lesson of a literary work; a general observation about life or human nature; usually stated as a single sentence 2. Here are the four themes you need to know. A. Revenge and hatred can destroy a person. This theme is exemplified best by Roger Chillingworth. As his revenge and hatred for Dimmesdale consumes him, his demeanor becomes darker, colder. At first perceived by the townspeople as a blessing, Chillingworth soon is thought to be Satan s emissary allowed to plot against [Dimmesdale s] soul. B. The punishment imposed on us by others may not be as destructive as the guilt we impose upon ourselves. This theme is exemplified best by Arthur Dimmesdale. As his spiritual struggle continues, Dimmesdale attempts to alleviate his angst through physically destructive means: scourging, fasting, and holding all night vigils. The guilt-imposed beatings resulting in blood loss coupled with the lack of nourishment and lack of sleep leave Dimmesdale emaciated and vulnerable to Chillingworth s attacks. C. Recognition of our own weaknesses may make us ultimately stronger and more sympathetic to the weaknesses of others. This theme is exemplified best by Hester Prynne. As she becomes more intuitively aware of the human nature of others in the town, Hester realizes that she is not the only one with a sinful nature. Instead of using this knowledge to tear down others, she provides comfort and lends an understanding ear. D. Deception and secrecy can be destructive. This theme is exemplified by Roger Chillingworth, Arthur Dimmesdale, and Hester Prynne. The secrets kept by each are either selfdestructive or destructive for another character.

7 Point of View: Omniscient Third Person 1. Definition: The perspective from which the story is told 2. Here are some key points you need to know. A. Narrator is outside the story and can tell us what is happening anywhere in the story B. Narrator knows everything about the characters and events C. Narrator can tell us what all the characters are thinking and feeling Plot 1. Definition: Series of events in a work of literature 2. Remember key plot events and items from your study questions. A. Taking notes and reviewing Spark Notes or Cliff Notes can help with remembering these items. B. Think about what might look like a good test question to your teacher (such as the following). As Dimmesdale grows weaker, his reputation _?_. A is examined by his superiors B is marred by suspicion C is raised to saintly stature D suffers a decline Chillingworth is first portrayed as _?_. A aged and weary B gentle and forgiving C intelligent and rational D savage and cruel Hester is not put to death for her crime because she _?_. A has no husband B has promised to confess her lover s name C is innocent D was tempted out of loneliness To whom is Hester compared in Ch. 2? A Joan of Arc B No one C Queen Elizabeth D The Virgin Mary