In Chapter XXII of "The Scarlet Letter" as the Rev. Dimmesdale begins his "discourse," Hester, feeling an irresistible pull, remains close, taking her position close beside the scaffold of the pillory because the crowd will not permit her entering the church. She is close enough that she hears the ministers voice in a "varied murmur and flow" (this reminds the reader of the melancholic brook in Chapter XVI). Hester listens so intently that the sermon has a meaning for her that transcends the words. She hears Dimmesdale's "plaintiveness" and expressions of anguish, of "suffering humanity." Hester, standing statue-like at the foot of the scaffold, senses Dimmesdale's heart telling its secret as well as feeling a magnetic pull to the place of her initial ignominy. Pearl, full of nervous energy, plays around the marketplace. But, Hester, feels now that her life, before and after this moment, is connected with the spot where she stands.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
What is the main function of the fool in "King Lear"? What is the secondly function?
The fool as a character is confusing, but part of this is the difference between the 1600s and today, as well as the difference in place. If...
-
When the band had almost reached Cuquio, Anastasio Montanez rides up to Demetrio and jokingly tells him about what had happened to a poor ol...
-
The Magi, or the three wise men who come and kneel before the infant Jesus are a symbol of humility. These three kings come from afar to pa...
-
All three revolutions attempted to change government relatively quickly. Their results led primarily to the triumph of the Rule of Law, whic...
No comments:
Post a Comment