As I read more about Hester and Pearl I feel that introducing new conflicts and surprises really adds depth into the story. Throughout the novel ( so far ) the problem for the main character Hester was that she had committed adultery and the identity of the man who she was involved with was not revealed. Though on a thorough read with the book we soon find out that the Minister Dimmesdale is the other person. I really felt excited because it was weird that Nathanial Hawthorne wrote about this specific situation before on a short story called “The Minister’s Black Veil”. Where the story itself was based on a minister who’s sin ate away his soul slowly knowing he couldn’t live with the burden of such a sin, adultery. I do not know if the stories are supposed to be related of whether or not they have any influence on each because they are from the same author after all. But, the conflicts are around a political and high praised figure Minister Dimmesdale. The character also plays out the same way that the short story depicts the Minister in that story. As the irony develops around the problem that not only Hester Prynne built but also Dimmesdale as the author Hawthorne reveals the faults in a system so loosely based on religion and without any right to trial before the people decided a person’s fate.
I believe that once and only if Dimmesdale reveals his secret the society in the small town of Massachusetts will fall into either a state of shock and enlightenment or either just let the minister to be forgiven for the sins he has committed. It’s really a crazy story that through all the details it has and all the little conversations between characters much is revealed that is not expected. The thrill that rushed the reader to want to know more was when finding out who Hester Prynne was and why she was being punished by her own lover Minister Dimmesdale. To the point where the reader finds out that the believed to be deceased husband of Hester Prynne is alive and well and actually still keeping a watchful eye on Hester. I feel that once the truth is revealed I don’t honestly know what might happen and that alone is going to keep me wanting to read because this is a “low key” action novel. J
Question: How do you anticipate will or would the reveal of Minister Dimmesdale’s sin impact the town of Massachusetts? How will Hester be treated afterwards and how about Dimmesdale?
I think the people will be shock about what to do. However, the shock will disappear and then they will want the punishment for Dimmesdale in order to calm their own fears.
ReplyDeleteHester will be looked more as a sin as people might think that she is the reason their minister has sin. Dimmesdale will be looked upon maybe with pity as they might think he was a victim in Hester's sinful plan.
The city will be either extremely apalled and become doubtful about thier faith or they will try to punish Dimmensdale because of thier fear towards God. The city will tremble, people will be gossiping all day and all night,and thier will probably be no peace for some time. Hester will probably still be treated the same , but Dimmensdale wwill receive harsh punishment.
ReplyDeleteI think the people will not understand not because it is incomprehensible, but because they will feel dumb and so seek some type of revenge. They will have no pity for him only anger towards him.
ReplyDeletePeople will probably feel some type of sympathy towards Dimmesdale because he is the minister and would probably turn thing over to Hester. They would say Hester seduced the "poor minister". i do not believe any heat would be taken off of Hester if anything, there would be more.
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