Chapters 3 & 4, The Scarlet Letter
Respond to ONE of the two prompts below by Friday, December 24th at 5pm.
(1) Consider the names of characters in this text. What importance or significance might you assume about them based on their names? Explain.
(2) How does Hawthorne create suspense in the third and fourth chapters? What seeds of foreboding or mystery has he planted?
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Prompt 1:
ReplyDeleteRoger Chillingworth’s name represents sin and evil. When a person gets a chill, many people say, “The devil must have touched you.” Roger Chillingworth appears at the beginning of Chapter 3 as a stranger to the colony. Chillingworth is described as a man with one shoulder higher than the other, symbolizing his awkwardness and difference from everyone else. Once Hester makes eye contact with him she squeezes her child, like if she just saw the devil. Roger Chillingworth comes to find Hester Prynne (what seems to be his wife) and a child in her arms standing before everyone, and asks a townsman who that woman was. Once Hester Prynne was taken back to prison he disguises himself as a physician; such as, the stories where the devil disguises himself to tempt people. Roger Chillingworth comes into Hester’s jail cell and offers medicine for her baby but she refuses to get it. Then Roger tells Hester that the father of her child will suffer the consequences and that he will seek for revenge, making him seem like her husband.
There were 3 more characters mentioned in chapters 3 and 4 but I am unsure of their name significance. Those characters are Governor Bellingham ("belling" may reffer to bailing, like out of jail?), Reverend Mr. Dimmesdale, and John Wilson.
#2
ReplyDeleteThrough these two different events in chapters 3 and 4, there are many details that Hawthorne conveys suspense through. Hester Prynne, for example, caught the eye of a "stranger" as he entered town accompanied by Indians and scared Prynne that she clutched her baby tightly onto her chest. The readers are left wondering, "Who is this stranger?" and how does Prynne seem to know him or is just his grotesque features that scare her? He also "calmly raised his finger, made a gesture with it in the air, and laid it on his lips..." (pg.57). This makes the reader wonder if this stranger is the father because he is gesturing her to be quiet. This is suspenseful because the readers are wondering what will this stranger do next as the novel progresses. The stranger indeed indentifies himself as a stranger, but he inevitably must have a connection to Prynne. Hawthorne does not identify the stranger until the next chapter as Roger Chillingsworth, who appears to have once been Prynne's husband by forced marriage. There is further suspenseful action in Chapter 4 as the reader learns who Chillingsworth really is, and "the interview" tries to get the name out of Prynne as to who the father of her baby is.
Hawthrone already has planted mysteries such as the obvious one, who is the father of Prynne's baby daughter? And there is also a mystery as to why Prynne and Chillingsworth ended their relationship. In other words, did her sinful act occur during her relationship with him or afterwards? Chillingsworth asks Prynne, "But...the man lives who has wronged us both! Who is he?" Maybe this is foreshadowing as to the conditions under which Prynne became pregnant; furthermore, Prynne could have been raped or forced have sex, since Chillingsworth mentions that the man had "wronged us both."
Another question that arises is that why would Chillingsworth feel such sympathy for Prynne, a woman, and would Prynne actually stay true to her oath of keeping secret their previous relationship.
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ReplyDelete#2: Hawthorne creates suspense in chapter 3 by describing the reactions of Hester Prynne and Chillingworth when they see each other from far away (Chillingworth is in the market and Hester is in the stand), “When he found the eyes of Hester Prynne fastened on his own, and saw that she appeared to recognize him, he slowly and calmly raised his finger, made a gesture with it in the air, and lid it on his lips” (pg.57). So from the reaction of both characters the reader is able to see that they know each other from somewhere, therefore it lets the reader wonder. Also, he creates suspense by introducing Hester Prynne husband (which nobody knows that they were married), Roger Chillingworth as a physician in chapter 4. So when Dimmesdale brings Chillingworth to Hester, to provide medical assistance, Dimmesdale observes/sees how Hester "immediately become still as death" which Dimmesdale suspects that there is something between them. Finally, Hawthorne creates suspense at the end of chapter 4 when Chillingworth tells Hester, "Shouldst thou fail me in this, beware! His fame, his position, his life, will be in my hands. Beware!” which indicates that Chillingworth will find out who her lover is and seek revenge.
ReplyDeleteThe seeds of mystery Hawthorne has planted are why has Chillingworth has come back over so many years of not being with Hester, find out who Hester lover is, and the things Chillingworth will do to find out who her lover is and what he will do when he discovers Hester lover.
Prompt 2:
ReplyDeleteHawthorne provides suspense in the third and fourth chapters by introducing other characters into the story. He leaves a sense of mystery as he introduces the characters but does not reveal their relationship to Hester. In the beginning of chapter three, Hawthorne turns the spotlight from Hester to the mysterious man in the audience, the one whose “shoulder’s rose higher than the other”. The suspense Hawthorne provides by turning the story towards his point of view leaves the reader with suspense as it makes one wonder, who is this man? He was mentioned before in chapter two when Hester was recalling a memory, “The figure of the study…was slightly deformed, with the left shoulder a trifle higher than the right” so what purpose does he serve in Hester’s situation? In chapter three, although Hawthorne sort of divulges more into this man’s character, he does not reveal who this man is and why he is important to the story, leaving a sense of suspense and mystery to the reader.
As the chapter continues, Hawthorne provides more suspense during the clergy members attempts to get Hester to reveal the man with whom she had relations with. As the clergymen give their speech to persuade Hester, every time the spotlight gets turned back to her, Hawthorne leaves the reader with a moment of suspense as to whether or not Hester is going to point out this man. With the second minister's (Mr. Dimmesdale) “powerful” and heartfelt speech,the way Hawthorne described the reactions of the people from the speech was one to “vibrate within all hearts” and was one where the audience “could not believe but that Hester Prynne would speak out the guilty name”. Considering the powerful effect the speech had on the other people gave this sense of suspense as it questioned whether Hester also felt the same way and if it was enough to actually get her to finally reveal that name.
In the fourth chapter, Hawthorne continuous this mystery in who the other characters and people in Hester’s life are. In chapter three, we were introduced to the man with the off-shoulders, but with this chapter we get introduced to a man named Roger Chillingworth. At first he seemed like a regular physician but with the conversation he had with Hester, soon planted another mystery. He seemed to know Hester too much to be just any physician and judging by his profession and his scholarly attitude it seemed as if he was the other man whom Hester also recalled in chapter two, the man who was “well stricken in years… scholar-like visage…bleared by the lamplight that served them to pore over many ponderous books.” With this in mind, it makes you realize if this is that same man who Hester had also been thinking about. Can it be that Roger Chillingworth is possibly the ex-husband of Hester? If not, who is he and why was he so curious to know the man who Hester had relations with? Furthermore, is the man with the off-shoulders the man whom she had relations with? In justifying that thought, why else would he motion for her to keep silent? What secret is this man hiding? All these questions and mysteries suddenly come into mind with this third and fourth chapter. The way in which Hawthorne introduces more of these characters without mentioning who they actually are creates a standing mystery and suspense, among the other bits of suspense he includes throughout the chapters.
hawthorne's first delivery of suspense and mystery is the encounter of the strange small man with crooked shoulders and Hester. The gaze becomes so intense that she eve cluthches the baby even tighter in her arms that makes her cry but Hester does not notice. "When he found the eyes of Hester Prynne...and laid it on his lips."(57)It gives us the hint that maybe this man wit crooked shoulders is the father of the child! The character, Rev,Dimsdale brings the suspense as he questiones Hester ad makinf ger declare the name of the father of her child and then repent from her sin. But, she does not and is then sent to back to her prison as "the scarlet letter threw a lurid gleam along the dark passage-way of the interior."
ReplyDeleteAHH!!!! chapter 4 is where all the suspense is found. The strnge man with crooked shoulders is named Roger Chillingworth. But what I cannot seem to understand is that is he really the father of the child? He proves to be when he talks about Hester's and his encounter in the past but torments by begging her to also give him the name of the real father,"Thou wilt not reveal his name? Not the less he is mine."(70) Could he really be the "Black Man"? and if it is not the soul of Hester Prynn that he wishes to ruin the who's soul is it??!
Thank you ladies, for your posts (Yamely, Yanel, Jeanette, Valentina and Esmeralda).
ReplyDeleteJEANETTE: I can't post to your blog on your website. Please make sure you aren't blocking posts (check your settings). In response, however, to your questions: #1: There is no divorce, so there is no "ex" husband; thus the A for adultery. And, btw: I like the design of your page. I also very much enjoyed your analysis of the passage you selected; insightful, especially in pointing out the paradox.
Hey, why is everyone doing the "easy" prompt (#2). I really want to know what the other 3 names mean. :)
ReplyDeleteHey Ms. Rozmiarek, do we answer to only one of our group members questions or to every member of our group?
ReplyDeletePrompt #2
ReplyDeleteHawthorne creates suspense in the third and fourth chapters by thoroughly describing new characters, but failing to explain the characters purpose in both the plot of the story and their connection to Hester. During the third chapter, Hawthorne introduces the man with the slanted shoulder and describes the effect that he had on Hester. This causes the readers to wander who the man is and why he is significant to the story. Towards the end of chapter three, the clergymen gave a great deal of effort in trying to convince Hester to reveal the man who had a part in committing such an act and would share in the guilt of the situation.The clergymen were shocked at her continuous refusal including Mr. Dimmesdale who commended her on her courage, "Wondrous strength and generosity of a woman's heart!" As various members took their turns expressing their opinions, Hawthorne would turn his attention briefly back to Hester and it seemed as if she would reveal the man which also gave off a sense of suspense and mystery.
In the fourth chapter, Hawthorne introduces another character by the name of Roger Chillingworth. Chillingworth is a physician yet had more background knowledge than usual. Throughout the conversation it becomes clear that he has some connection to Hester, but what is it? Is he indeed the father of the child? If not, why is he so concerned about her revealing the name of the man? Why is he emotionally invested in something that may or may not have anything to do with him? There are times when Chillingworth speaks in first person, "...I drew thee into my heart, into its innermost chamber..." leaving readers to wander if this is in fact the man Hester had relations with. Hawthorne creates great suspense throughout the chapters both in subtle and dramatic ways.
#2
ReplyDeleteAs Hester is placed upon the sight of all the townspeople to look upon her and her sin, Hawthorne shows the suspense and mystery when there is the sight of a stranger that shook Hester with fear and shock. “Again, at the first instant of perceiving that thin visage, and the slight deformity of the figure, she pressed her infant to her bosom with so convulsive a force that the poor babe uttered another cry of pain.” Hawthorne gives two paragraphs into describing the strange character of his physical features, and how gives of a sort of fear and foreboding that he is going to make Hester life worse than it is, but Hawthorne never reveals the character’s name in the third chapter, probably because he wants to make the reader read more, due to man not being able to be satisfy with a mystery or question without no answer. Then the stranger is introduced again as a physician and is then realized by the silence that Hester makes that it is the stranger, named Robert Chillingworth. It makes the reader more addicted into reading more of who is this man, why does he bring fear to Hester, why does he show anger across his face, what relationship did this stranger and Hester have? In the third chapter the stranger speaks to one of the town folks about Hester’s story, and then how he is so determined to find the person who committed the sin with Hester; and how Hester is so stubborn as to hide the father’s name of the babe. Could the interview that Robert Chillingworth had with Hester in chapter four be the beginning of hunting for morals, or for personal revenge against the “lover” of the Mistress Prynne?
Prompt #2
ReplyDeleteRising curiosity, excitement, and even fear, Hawthorne creates suspense in chapters three and four with the presence of Roger Chillingworth. Chapter three produces suspense with introducing a stranger to the town who shares a fearing relationship with Hester Prynne, which is implied when stated,"Again, at the first instant of perceiving that thin visage and the slight deformity of the figure, she pressed her infant to her bosom with so convulsive a force that the poor babe uttered another cry of pain"(58).This quote demonstrates intimidation to the stranger's presence which results in suspense in the learning of his role in the conflict.
Moreover, Hawthorne creates suspense when Hester neglects revealing who fathered her child; suspense in the way of remaining clueless of the mysterious man and in the way of wondering if he will dare step forward or would Hester eventually spit the truth. Mysteries are planted in the form of not knowing who is the missing factor of the conflict and how the truth will be revealed further on in the story.
Chapter four both dissolves suspense created in chapter three, as well as develops it. Suspense is dissolved in the sense that the deformed man's identity is learned as well as his relationship with Hester. In addition, the text reveals his approach and contribution to the conflict. Suspense is brought upon when Hester insists in hiding the name of her fellow sinner, when asked by Chillingworth. Futhermore, Chillingworth refuses to accept Hester's discretion and claims to find he who did them both wrong. Chillingworth's eagerness to know who stole his wife from him plants mystery in the form of not knowing how he is willing to deal with the problem, whether with violence and aggression or simply with curiosity of discovering the sinner.
Prompt #2:
ReplyDeleteIn chapter 3 and 4, Hawthorne creates suspense through the usage of mystery, dialog between the characters, and the introduction of new characters. In chapter 3 Hawthorne creates suspense by planting mystery in the story, an example would be when Hester Prynne is standing on her pedestal and encounters a new character that has just arrived in their small town. "While this passed, Hester Prynne had been standing on her pedestal, still with a fixed gaze towards the stranger..."(pg 59, Bantam Classic) When this mysterious character, catches Hester's gaze, and like wise he catches hers, the audience is left wondering as to why these two characters are intrigued by each other, therefore creating a sense of mystery which builds the bases of suspense throughout the chapter. Later in the chapter, Hester Prynne is questioned by the clergymen who are trying to figure out the name of the man whom which she committed adultery with, and the dialog presented creates the suspense. "That little babe hath been gifted with a voice, to second and confirm the counsel which thou hast heard. Speak out the name! That, and thy repentance, may avail to take the scarlet letter off thy breast." (pg 64) Through the use of exclamations in the text, diction choice, and back an forth dialog between Hester Prynne and the clergymen the author sets up suspense in the story.
Suspense in chapter 4 is created through the dialog between Roger Chillingworth and Hester Prynne. "I shall see him tremble. I shall feel myself shudder, suddenly and unawares. Sooner or later, he must needs be mine!"(pg 70) When Roger Chillinworth is revealed as Hester's husband, the dialog between Prynne and Chillingworth changes into a more intimate and personal level. Then Chillingworth's dialog switches to more a aggressive tone, when he is trying to get the name of the man whom which Prynee committed adultery with. These changes in dialog between the two characters gyrates suspension in the audience. At the end of chapter 4, Chillingworth, though not knowing the name of the accomplice of Hester's adultery, repeats through dialog that he will find her accomplice and that creates mystery in the audience as to what will happen later on in the story.
(1): It is very important to take notice of names when reading a novel such as this one. Names can provide subtle clues into an author's intent, or foreshadow something that might happen later on. Below are my interpretations of the names and their meanings of the most significant characters in chapters 3 and 4:
ReplyDelete-(Mistress) Hester Prynne: I looked up the meaning of Hester; it is actually an adaptation of the name Esther. Esther also happens to a book in the Bible, which tells the story of a beautiful Jewish women who is chosen by the king of Persia to be his queen. In the bible, Esther is depicted as a "woman of deep piety, faith, courage, patriotism, and caution..." which sort of parallels Hester's strong character despite her conditions. As for her last name, it is derived from a man named William Prynne, an English Puritan leader and pamphleteer, whose ears were cut off in punishment for his attacks on Laud (a song of praise)... I'm not sure how this relates to Hester.
-Roger Chillingworth: Roger is actually derived from Germanic words meaning "fame" and "glory." I find this very significant, because after reading the chapter, i believe Roger to actually be Hester's husband, who is decorated as a man of great nobility, by both the author and the town. As for his last name,i don't believe it has any real significance, other than the second-half of his name (worth) means of great importance, which might imply that he will have an important place in the novel.
-Governer Bellingham: Although I cannot think of any significance in his name, I did look up the name Bellingham. In simplest terms, the surname Bellingham basically means "one who hails from Bellingham" which is actually a place in Ole England (I do not know know if it still exists today). From reading the meaning about the origin of his name, maybe the author chose the name Bellingham to give this character a type of hierarchy or importance in social status among other characters in the novel.
- Reverends Mr.(John)Wilson & Mr.Dimmesdale- I do not see any significance in these names other than that John is a Bliblical name *shrugs*
You know I don't really feel like posting because Ms. Rozmiarek said thank you ladies but I guess I will because I have to:
ReplyDeletePrompt# 2:
Hawthorne creates suspense in Chapters three and four when he introduces a significant new characters, but does not show their connection to Hester. Hawthorne introduces a man, seen by Hester, who then describes him as a man with a stooped shoulder. Hawthorne creates suspense through failing to describe his connection to Hester, but by thoroughly describing Hester's reaction to this man, making her go pale. Then, there is an introduction of all the clergymen, the people responsible for Hester's fate. These men try over and over to get Hester to reveal who the father of her son is, creating more and more mystery, raising the question: Why is she trying so hard to conceal the truth of her child's father? Reverend Mr. Dimmesdale, a beloved new reverend, also failed in trying to convince her to revealing who her child's father is, raising the mystery surrounding her choice to reveal her partner in sin.
In chapter four, Hawthorne introduces yet another character,Roger Chillingsworth, a physician by trade. He is brought in by the jailer to try to ease the suffering of both Hester and the baby. Suspense arises from the reaction Hester gets from seeing this man enter. She continues her reaction from seeing this man through her choice of refraining from letting the man touch her child. Greater suspense arises when he, Chillingsworth, says,"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,” creating the idea that Hester may know this man more than Hawthorne leads on. As the chapter goes on, the character reveals he is Hester's husband but then also reveals something to come, if he finds out who this is. Through the situations and people that appeared in Chapters 3 and 4, Hawthorne is creating the foundation for the search, the search of the adulterer.
@ Ms. Rozmiarek: Ms. Rozmiarek, i lost my nook but got another one so that i can still do the assignments ok?
ReplyDelete#2
ReplyDeleteIn chapters 3 and 4 Nathaniel Hawthore creates a lot of suspense by setting the scene. At the start of ch. 3 Prynee is at the market place because she is forced to show the scarlet letter she is wearing.Hawthorne then deprives Prynne by discribing the people at the market place pointing at her, and laughing, and calling her names. Hawthorne then switches to Prynnes point of view as fire growing in her chest as each person sees her scarlet letter.This creates suspense because it gives emotion towards the audiece as to why a young lady should be humiliated in this kind of way for doing adultry.
Also in ch. 3 Prynne is at the court and refuses to speak to the judge. Hawthorne creates suspense in this section because it makes the reader want to know why Prynne did not speak; and it also creates the question that maybe Prynne is hiding something.
After Prynne refuses to speak in the court she is sent back to the prison for refusing to speak. In this scene Hawthorne describes Prynne as having a nervous excitement for bieng at this site. this creates suspense because the reader gets engaged as to why Hester Prynne was so happy to be at a prison which should be feared in our modern view.
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ReplyDelete#2 - Nathaniel Hawthorne creates much suspense in his third and fourth chapters. He creates suspense by vividly describing and introducing new characters and their reactions to their sight of Hester Prynne. For instance, suspense is created when Hawthorne introduces the man "with the left shoulder a trifle higher than the right." (p. 55) since the readers have no clue who he is, but we know he's important in a way to Prynne. Another act of suspense sparks when Mr. Dimmesdale is asked to interrogate Prynne; Prynne refuses to speak the name which they are all eager to hear, even if it would remove the scarlet letter from her bosom. Prynne states, "Never...It is too deeply branded. Ye cannot take it off. And with that I might endure his agony as well as mine." (p. 64) Suspense is created in chapter four when the guy with the trifled shoulders makes a second appearance, with the name of Roger Chillingworth. We know that Chillingworth was Prynne's husband after stating, "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!" (p. 69) However, Chillingworth is not the father of Prynne's baby, "The child is yours,--she is not mine,--neither will she recognize my voice or aspect as a father." (p. 67) leaving us to wonder, who is...
ReplyDelete#2:
ReplyDeleteIn the third chapter Hawthorne creates suspense by not fully introducing the stranger that was at the market place who was staring right at Hester Prynne. Hawthorne doesn't even introduce the stangers name, he just describes his physical apperance. When both Prynne and the stranger looked at eachother they looked at eachother as if they had met before. When Prynne first caught sight of the stranger she pressed her baby against her chest, scared, as if the man would do something to it. When the stranger was looking at Prynne straight in the eyes and saw that she had recognized him, he made a gesture as if telling her to not say anything. This leaves the reader wondering: Why did Prynne react the way she did when she saw him? Why is he giving her that gesture? Is it that the stranger is the the father of the child and he doesnt want her to say it? Another event that causes mystery is when the stranger asks the townsman about Prynne. By the way Hester and the stranger looked at eachother it seemed as if they had met. "But why is the stranger asking a townsman about her? Shouldn't he know who she is already?" the reader may be questioning his or herself. When John Wilson, a clergyman of Boston, called her name from the balcony, she didnt reply at the first call but after a few times. This shows that the stranger's apperance affected Prynne. When Prynne is asked who the father is she refuses to name him. This leaves the reader wondering if the encounter with this man is what caused her to refuse naming the father.
In chapter four, the stranger in the crowd at the market place is finally introduced as Roger Chillingworth. It is said that he is a physician and he is taken to Prynne so he can treat her and her baby. When Prynne sees him once again she looks scared. It also seems that Chillingworth may be the father but when he asks who the father really is it leaves the reader wondering who the real father is and why Chillingworth is so interested in finding out who the father is.
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ReplyDeletePrompt 2:
ReplyDeleteIn addition to the mystery behind Hester’s
crime, Hawthorne introduces a man from her past life. So now not only does one question who he is but why do both of them react in disbelief when they recognize one another. Once Hester perceived the “thin visage, and the slight deformity of the figure, she pressed her infant with [a] convulsive force…” (57) And soon, when the man saw that she recognized him, he slowly “raised his finger…and laid it on his lips.” (57) His appearance causes Hester to be afraid and dreads any encounters with him, and one has to ask themselves why? So by failing to show the connection between them, he creates suspense.
Something else I found rather curious was Reverend Mr. Dimmsdale’s behavior when Hester was being interrogated. For instance, when Mr. Wilson and the Governor bid him to speak, “The trying nature of his position drove the blood from his cheek, and made his lips tremulous.” (63) Then, when Mr. Wilson harshly demanded Hester to reveal the name of her lover, she looked “into the deep and troubled eyes” of Mr. Dimmesdale and replied “Never!” “And would that I might endure his agony as well as mine!” (64) Was she trying to tell him something?
With all this in mind, Hawthorne puts the attention back to the stranger from the market place. In chapter 4, we find that he has arrived as a physician at the prison and is announced as Roger Chillingworth. Through Chillingworth and Hester’s conversation we discover that he is actually Hester’s husband who is determined to find out the identity of her lover. Furthermore, one has to question their relationship and what Hester did to “the man whom she had most deeply and irreparably injured” (69)
Prompt #2:
ReplyDeleteIn the novel "The Scarlet Letter", Hawthorne creates suspense between Hester and Roger Chillingworth. When the crowd starts to surround the scaffold, an Indian like person was then spotted from a far distance by Hester and at first gives the reader some mystery of who that person is. “At his arrival in the market-place, and some time before she saw him, the stranger had bent his eyes at Hester Prynne” (page 41). Later we find that the man was no Indian, for it was Roger Chillingworth. Roger Chillingworth is shocked to see her and asks a stranger about Hester Prynne, for he asks “who is the father of her baby“, but the stranger replies that Hester didn’t reveal his identity and which that is why she is punished. Suspense is brought in because Hester Prynne was shocked to see her husband, and Roger Chillingworth who is the real husband finds that she is punished for adultery and he then tries to find out who that man was, while hiding his real identity. The author leaves the reader in mystery because if Roger isn’t the father of the child, then who could it be?
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ReplyDeletePrompt 2) How does Hawthorne create suspense in the third and fourth chapters? What seeds of foreboding or mystery has he planted?
ReplyDeleteHawthorne creates suspense in the third and fourth chapters in a few different ways. In the third chapter, Hawthorne creates suspense by pointing out a mysterious man standing out in the back of the crowd, who gestures Hester to keep quiet when he “slowly and calmly raised his finger, made a gesture with it in the air, and laid it on his lips.”(57) The stranger’s gesture towards Hester creates suspense by making the reader question the stranger’s motives for signaling Hester to be quiet. Also in the third chapter, he begins building up suspense by pointing out that the mysterious man that stands out in the crowd seems to trouble Hester to the point that she felt it was “better to stand...with so many betwixt him and her, than to greet him, face to face, they too alone.”(59) The author uses this quote to create suspense by enticing the reader to wonder who the man is, why his presence in the crowd stands out to Hester, and why he troubles her so badly.
The fourth chapter also contains strategies for building suspense. Near the beginning of the chapter, Hester is forced to face the man that troubled her in the crowd, who is now introduced as Roger Chillingworth. Hawthorne first creates suspense in this chapter when Chillingworth tells the jailer, “I promise you, Mistress Prynne shall hereafter be more amenable to just authority…”(66) This creates suspense because it makes it seem as if he intends to harm Hester, making her refuse the medicine at first. This begins to plant suspense because it gives a hint that there will be conflict between the two. There is more suspense when Chillingworth indicates that he is Hester’s husband and that he intends to get revenge on Hester and whoever she committed adultery with. Finally, he creates suspense by comparing Chillingworth to the devil, which hints that Chillingworth will likely be the villain of the story. This creates suspense because it indicates that there will be a major conflict between the two characters, making the reader begin to speculate on what will occur between the two in the rest of the story.
Through these different parts of chapters three and four of the story, Hawthorne plants a few seeds of mystery of the story. One is who the father of the baby is. Another is whether Chillingworth will find the father of Hester’s baby and what he will do when he does. A third seed of foreboding is when Chillingworth is compared to the devil and is described as a savage-looking but scholarly man, which indicates that he will be a villain that will be difficult to overcome.
@MS.ROZ:I WAS UNABLE TO POST TO SOME OF MY GROUP MEMBERS WEBSITES B/C THEY DIDNT POST ANYTHING AT ALL :/
ReplyDeletePrompt 2: In chapter 3 Hawthorne creates suspense by first introducing a new character, by the name of Roger Chillingworth. The way that Hawthorne gives strong emphasize on this new character (Roger) shows that Roger plays an important role. Yet the author does not reveal right away why Roger is so important, therefore creating suspense. Also the way that "...he [Roger] found the eyes of Hester Prynne fastened on his own, and saw that she appeared to recognize him...."(pg.59) creates suspense because Roger being a recent character and yet Hester seems to suddenly recognize him leaves the reader with some uncertainty towards how they know each other. In chapter 4 Hawthorne creates suspense when Roger comes out being the physician and Hester has to decide whether to trust him or not. And since Roger is a new character it raise the question even more whether if he can be trusted with Hester's baby. Besides the introduction of this new character, the seed of mystery that the author has planted would be the mystery of who is the father of Hester's baby. The mystery of who the father of the baby is, is discussed both in chapter 3 and 4, leaving the reader with great suspense and uncertainty.
ReplyDeletePrompt #2)
ReplyDeleteThrough out the third and fourth chapters Nathaniel Hawthorne begins to create suspense by the way in which he chooses to introduce new characters and how he explains the way the surrounding characters react to them or feel about them. For example Hawthorne creates suspense in the third chapter when he begins to describe the man with the off-shoulders. This makes the audience really wonder who he is and what specific role does he play in Hester Prynne’s life since she seemed to feel uncomfortable as soon as she catches sight of him. Prynne “Again, at the first instant of perceiving that…she pressed her infant to her bosom with so convulsive a force that he poor babe uttered another cry of pain.”(pg57) Prynne’s gesture indicates a sense of her discomfort toward seeing the man with the low-shoulders, who later in the novel we discover is Roger Chillingsworth, her ex-husband. She seems to be alarmed at his presence and embarrassed at the fact that after so long he returns to find her being punished for adultery.
Nathaniel Hawthorne then creates suspense when Hester Prynne is being interrogated about who the father is. Prynne refuses to mention who the father of her child is and that makes the audience wonder why she is being so secretive. Since we know Roger Chillingworth isn’t the father the reader is left with the uncertainty of who the actual father is.
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ReplyDeletePrompt #2
ReplyDeleteIn chapters three and four Nathaniel Hawthorne creates suspense by introducing new significant characters while setting the scene. He creates suspense by setting up a scene that exhumes mystery. In chapter three he uses a lot of symbolism to build his suspense. For example he describes the word "A" in such detail to show the seriousness of the "crime." The child itself is a symbol, the tension between the reclusive adulterer, and the man whom she committed the act with. The story is actually about exposing the man of whom got her pregnant. Nathaniel refers to a stranger coming in town and dressed in a strange combination of traditional European clothing and Native American dress this allows readers to think and harder throughout the chapter and to interpret who the character really is which creates such an expense.
In chapter four he creates more suspense by introducing Roger Chillingsworth a physician who is brought face to face to visit Hester
Prynne in prison because she is ill and is in need of medical assistance. Hester is very conscious in protecting her child and herself,"he presented the cup to Hester, who recieved it with a slow, earnest look into his face; not precisely a look of fear, yet full of doubt and questioning, as to what his purposes might be. She looked also at her slumbering child."(70) This creates suspense making it seem that Roger intends to harm Hester and her child at first. This plants suspense because Hester and Roger will build conflict between each other because Chillingsworth would constantly ask Hester to reveal who was the man she committed adultery with but intentionally he wants revenge on Hester. In the end there would be more suspense because Hester speculates that he may be the “Black Man”the Devil in disguise who come to lure her into a pact and damn her soul. To keep in mind Chillingworth has plans to seek out Hester's unknown lover and to seek revenge against her. Later on throughout the story it is foretold that Roger Chillingworth is Hester Prynne husband who seeks to find out the truth about Hester's crimes.
Hawthorne planted a few seeds of mystery in chapters three and four leaving the readers with unsolved answers. Who is the father of Pearl? Would Hester confess up to the three Judges Governor Bellingham, Reverend Wilson, and Reverend Dimmesdale? Would Chillingworth be able to predict and discover the mysteries behind his wife's crimes to prove her innocence or would he try to take revenge on her?
Response to Prompt #1
ReplyDelete*Bantam Classic
The names and titles associated with characters in a story are as essential as the story itself because names can add on to the identity, status, and/or characteristics of a person. For instance, in chapter 4 it is revealed that Roger Chillingworth is the husband to Hester Prynne, yet Ms. Hester Prynne does not carry the last name of Chillingworth, even though, in this time period, accepting a husband’s last name is the norm. This can suggest a number of things such as an independent, young woman, referring to Hester, or that Roger Chillingworth is not this aged man’s given name. Also note that Hester is not referred to as Mrs. Hester Prynne or Goody Hester Prynne, since the titles of Mrs. and Goody refer to married women. It is evident that the last name Chillingworth hints toward a chill down one’s spine as in anxiety, frightening, coldness, shadowy. His very presence made Hester “immediately become still as death” (Pg 66)* suggesting the eeriness of his character and his future unfriendly encounters with Hester.
The name of the young minister, Reverend Dimmesdale, carries some significance in the story. Focusing on his title, “Reverend”, Dimmesdale probably serves as a holy representative of God’s messages, so his actions should always reflect mannerisms the Bible advocates. Therefore, he stands on a pedestal for the community to observe as a role model and trustworthy human being. These concepts can also be applied to Reverend John Wilson, though the age, personalities, and, possibly, values differ from Rev. Dimmesdale.
Governor Bellingham must possess quite a fair amount of power, authority, and assets based on his position. Governors have people and properties to manage, along with their own lives, so it is uncertain as to why this Governor was present at the Hester Prynne’s semi-trial.
Prompt #1
ReplyDeleteGovernor Bellingham's is clearly a prominent figure in Nathaniel Hawthorne's book. Although Esmeralda extracted "belling" from his name, I would extract "bell" because this better illutrates his significance. whenever a bell is rang, it draws attention from those in its immediate range of sound. Because of his high status in the puritan society, he is bound to be heard when he talks as if his voice is the "bell" begging for attention. in the upcoming chapters is words alone, with the help of companions, is what helps Hester keep her "life" (those who have read chapter 8 should know what I mean).
Roger Chillingworth's name represents evilness. He represents a sly, old man. who will stop at nothing to find out who else has "wronged" him since Hester will no speak the name of the other Adulterer; this contributes to the mystery of the story.
John Wilson has a respectable name, a common name. He is also the eldest clergyman. His name shows significance by describing him as old and respectable; he is trustworthy and from years of experience, he knows how situations, such as the sin committed by Hester, should be handled.
As for Reverend Authur Dimmesdale, he is young and his name signifies a not so bright valley. ("dim" and "dale"). he is very smart as a young pastor, however, he is new to being a clergyman and every man has his flaws. The people of the town obviously relies on his teachings, but he has fallen in this dim dale which thus far he has hidden well.
1. In this book as well as others the audiunce meets characters.
ReplyDeleteRoger chillingworth is one of the characters and he signifies evil, malice, and punishment. His very appereanceis enough to froghten people such as when Hester saw him and how his uneven shoulders gave him a spooky look. His presence made her cling to her child. Later in the book we meet him again but this time he's disquised a doctor who visited hester in her cell nd offered her baby some medidcine. Why would this strangeer offer her medicine? When she refused he swore he would punish the child's father. Other characters include Reverend Dimmesdale, which, would mean dim or poolry lighten, but judging from his name i imagine he sigifies hollyness and truth. John Wilson is also a charcter and his name signifies honesty and courage since john is a name from the bible and Wilson is the name of so many brave heroes i personally know of. Govenor Belingham probably signifies corruption since politics is a fair from honest bussines. Last but certainly not least is Hester Prynne which repreents innocents(ironically) because it's more than likely derived from a name in the bible based off the time period.
Prompt#2
ReplyDeleteIn the third and fourth chapter Hawthorne created suspense in two major ways. The first was the introduction of Roger Chillingworth, who appears to have had a relationship with Hester before,which seems to be marriage since he acts like her husband when they interact saying that they once walked down church stairs as one, or something like that. The point is this man is already frightening because his uneven shoulders give him a monsterous siloute and apperance and him showing up caused Hester to squeeze her baby close to her, most likly out of fear, but why is she so afraid? These question that are unanswered are what creeate suspense from this event. Even more suspencful os the scene when roger appears in Hester's cell and she refuses to let him touch the baby or give it medicine. Why is she so cautios with him? Whats their relationship? These are quaetion that arise from chapters three and four, these are Hawthorne's seeds of mystery. Along with all this supsence even more is added when Hester's encounter with Roger makes us ask Who is the baby's father? Was Hester raped? So much is introduced and left unfinished such creating suspence around Roger, Hester and her baby in chapters 3-4
"To say the truth, there was much need of professional assistance, not merely for Hester herself, but more urgently for the child; who, drawing its sustenance from the maternal bosom, seemed to have drank in with it all the turmoil, the anguish, and despair, which pervaded the mother's system (64)."
ReplyDeleteThe quote is definitely important to keep in mind, for with all the reader witnesses Hester is going through, she must also drag a child along. I also compared the environment accepted for a minor's ubringing, from the era of the book to American society as we now know it. In modern times, child services might be alerted, and a child like Hester's would be removed to instead be in a more stable- even safer environment. The words Nathaniel Hawthorne used in the passage were powerful words that stemmed imagery. With "sustenance" it becomes obvious how much Hester's child needs her, and cannot receive care from another source. "Turmoil, the anguish, and despair" gave me flashbacks to the when I read about the Hester standing for three hours so that all could know of her sin, and the embarrassment it brought. I then was reminded the poor "mother's system" would not only flush itself out into the child, but be continually replenished with yet more stress for the same reasons.
QUESTIONS
*In the middle of chapter 4, the physician talking to Hester refers to mythological characters, using "Lethe nor Nepenthe," and "Paracelsus." What was Nathaniel Hawthorne's structural purpose for this?
*Also in chapter 4, was Roger Chillingworth the physician Hester was talking to all along?
*Was it reasonable to have Hester wear an alienating letter, be forced to stand on a scaffold for hours, AND serve time in jail, all with her baby
prompt#2
ReplyDeletein chpt 3 hwathorne creates suspense by introducing new characters and not mentioning their inportance. this new character he has introduce Roger Chillingworth is described in a way that makes the audience question his presence and importance in hesters life,he makes him seem as an awkward and different when saying that he has one shoulder higher than the other,therefore creating suspense for the reader.in chpt 4 hawthorne continues to add suspense by reavealing who the starnger's identity:Roger Chillingworth. hawthorne also reveals that Roger Chillingworth is a doctor and can help prynne. the greatest mystery that hawthorne introduces is that Roger Chillingworth can possibly be Prynne's daughter dad!! also leaves the audience thinking what happened beween roger and prynne. right on time :)
sorry for all the spelling errors i was kind of in a hurry :/
ReplyDeleteQuestion number 2
ReplyDeleteChapters three and four omit a certain amount of suspense because of the new character in chapter three which had no identity until chapter four. His odd interest in Hester leaves suspense as to why he is so intrigued and what intrigues him. The dialogue in chapter four warrants attention because of the nature of the conversation. These newly introduced adults quickly transform into devoted significant others in an amount of time that cause the audience to be apprehensive about the relationship between Hester and Roger. Hawthorne creates suspense by initially introducing Roger as a stranger and gradually providing details to add to his unknown identity. Also as Hester was taking a stance an her situation and refusing to let others know who her babes father was, I became curious as to why she was going to such great lengths to protect the man who contributed to her branding of the Scarlet letter as he would also be subject to punishment in a like fashion,
#1: Geez. Boys are so sensitive (or at least Irvin and Miguel). So, "THANK YOU" gentlemen. The ladies got the thanks first, for they posted early on (making multiple lives easier).
ReplyDelete#2: For those that aren't clear, DON'T WORRY if your group members did not do their individual posts on time / at all. If they didn't write an introductory blog post, you can't "write" on their blog anyways. Just take care of yourself and I will take care of you.
#3: Be clear that Chillingworth is her husband, and it is impossible that he is Pearl's father.
#4: MERRY CHRISTMAS!
2.
ReplyDeleteNathaniel Hawthorne is a genius in creating this mysterious dark drama, he uses suspense to entertain his audience, and it is a phenomenal piece already! He introduces Roger Chillingworth-husband to Hester Prynne- in chapter four (The Interview), when he consults her as a physician and discuss who is Pearls father, as her husband. It seems though as if, Chillingworth has forgiven her, he even courageously tells her, " Mine was the first wrong, when I betrayed thy budding youth into a false and unnatural relation with my decay. " (79)
In chapter three, Hawthorne introduces the first mysterious character, the hunchback "stranger" who was accompanied by a Native American. This man, Hester Prynne recognized, hence the title of the chapter-The Recognition-but since his name and role was not revealed it left us wondering, who is this man?/! It also may come to mind to suspect that the governor, ministers or religious officials may be a part of this mystery. In chapter three, Hawthorne brings out more significant characters, some which may be the antagonists of this novel...
2. Hawthorne does create an immense amount of suspense in those chapters. Chapter three ends with a rant of Roger Chillingworth , i feel like he is going to pop up at the near end with the head of Hester's partner. And at first i thought Hester was just going to abandon Pearl becuase she was seriously depressed. By the end of chapter four i just know Pearl will find her father , her little imp self so to speak.
ReplyDeletePrompt 2: Nathaniel Hawthorne creates suspense in chapters 3 and 4 with the introduction of two new characters. Through these characters the plot is built and the branches of who the father of Pearl is and who Hester's astranged husband is begans to grow. This will also lead to what led to Hester committing adultery in the first place.
ReplyDeleteThe first character arives in chapter 3, and is introduced as a stranger who is very curious of Hester Prynne's reason for being punished. Hawhorne hints that there is a connection between the two in the way that he emphasizes the tension between them and the discomfort in Hester once they make eye contact. The stranger's effect upon Hester is striking; we are told that she would rather stand in public shame than meet with him privately. The stranger is later identified as Roger Chillingworth when he arrives in Hester Prynne's jail cell. Hawthorne then hints that Chillingworth could possibly be the astranged husband of Hester in the quote "Here, woman! The child is yours,-she is none of mine,-neither will she recognize my voice or aspect as a father's."(p.49). This statement came out of nowhere from Chillingworth and seemed uneccesary, or did it?
The second character, The Reverend Mister Dimmesdale is introduced in chapter 4 when he is confronted ans forced to ask Hester to confess of who it was that tempted her to sin. Hawthorne then hints that he could possibly be the one who's the culprit. He is reported to have been very disturbed at Hester's situation, he has argued against forcing her to confess, and ironically, he is named by Wilson as the person with whom "...the responsibility of this woman's soul lies greatly...". With all of this evidence you could conclude that Dimmesdale is the father of Pearl.
Nathaniel Harthorne creates the suspense in the way that he tells of who the characters and giving hints as to what their connection is to Hester and Pearl, but never blantly stating somewhere that they have some sort of significance to anything. This leaves the reader with opinions and not facts.
Omg sorry Ms. Roz that it took me so long to post I was just given a new computer for christmas and the settings on it prevented me from going to the class site because it was considered unsafe. I was just able to figure out which settings it was that prevented me. Please except my blogs I will not be late anymore:(
ReplyDeleteMs. Rozmiarek I have requested my group members, but they have not yet accepted it...what do I do now?
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