BookGlutton / Notes / Public
There are 1715 public notes.
lydia sargent: I don't understand this because it never said what Charles Darnay's real name actually was. Not only that, I also don't understand why Dr. Manette didn't want to know what Darnay's real name was until the morning of Darnay's and Lucie's wedding. It just doesn't make any sense to me. Another reason i don't understand this paragraph is because when he say's "if Lucie should love you" why is he o.k. with a two other suitors being attracted to Lucie. My best guess is that he hasn't been outside of jail yet, long enough to know what to expect of suitors. Maybe, also because it was not unusual at this time for a bunch of suitors to go to one girl.
This is buck wild: This is more like a language than any language. Know what I mean? Key point about syntax here that makes obj-c unique.
Bigger/Smaller: Maybe the shrinking and growing has something to do with her inner confidence? She grew again when she saw someone she recognized. Anyone else have theories?
Crying: Why were kids back then instructed not to cry?
?: I haven't ever read a book without conversations...
Flaus comment 10: This passage in the book is designed, in my belief to provoke a strong response of sympathy from the reader for Hester's plight in reliving the events from seven years ago, and how she now has to deal with seven years of being and outcast, yet has the hope of an escape. This escape, as talked about in the chapter prior could come in two forms. The first escape, which i think also contributed to Hester's stoic characteristics in this passage, is the escape where they leave New England. This contributed to he dead, frozen features, because she did not want to reveal any hint of happiness to the townspeople, so they could leave without suspicion. I think the biggest contribution to Hester's calm, yet dead features also is the fact that Pearl is now old enough to comprehend the scorn for her mother in an extended public event like this, and also, pearl knows the truth now, and could reveal.
Flaus Comment 9: This chapter focuses on the minister and the battles he must face. It brings into light yet another conflict inside the book, as shown by the title. The new conflict is Dimmesdale versus himself, and the part of himself that he is struggling with is his mind. Hawthorne accurately represents and symbolizes Dimmesdale's mind as a maze. This symbolizes how in a maze, you must make many different choices on which way to turn, but you also have to watch out for other obstacles in the way, like dead ends. The end result I feel that is prominent in Dimmesdale's mind is either escaping safely with Hester, or revealing to the public and his congregation the sin between Hester and he. The main obstacle in both of the plans remains Chillingworth, as well as the fact that Pearl may be shunned and grow up an outcast for either outcome. I think ultimately the minister decides his fate in this ch.
Flaus Comment 8 : This chapter begins to unfold the strength of Hester, as well as the unsure treading of each other in the realization that they still do love each other, but are afraid of the consequences they could face in Puritan Society. Hawthorne blatantly states the fact that Hester Prynne is a human that is naturally courageous, and that she also thought about situations and tried to predict their income, something the minister did not know how to do. The fact that Hawthorne depicts Hester's morality as a wilderness shows that she knows right and wrong in her morality, and she knows the truth, but she does not know how to guide herself through that morality, making her life decisions difficult. The fact that Hester and Dimmesdale are deciding their fate together shows that the bond they share is strong, and that the strength that the two hold onto as their own, flows from the strengthof their bond
Flaus Comment 7: This passage, In my personal opinion finally displays sentiments that had remained unspoken and unthought of until this point in the story. It shows that even tho as a group, they committed a sin, that they committed the sin out of true passion and love, and again made a character who is so pure and in truth, that it will cause them to love each other more. It also finally displays the cold fear present in both Hester and Dimmesdale earlier in the story, but pushed to the background due to other issues such as Chillingworth. It is the first comment of the narrator in the book displaying a sympathy toward the one thing Hawthorne wants to stress in the book. He wants to stress the importance of love, and that it is a bond that can outlast all hardship, as long as you have each other. Never once before did he mention about the feelings in their hearts, and I believe he sees this as a rev
Flaus Comment 6: This passage again demonstrates Hawthorne's extensive description and unfolding of the conflict between Hester and Chillingworth. Hester had resolved to inform Dimmesdale of the evil shown in Chillingworth's character at all costs, to herself or others. The setting for her attempts at informing the minister again show how Hester has begun more and more to venture into the truth, which is symbolized by the nature of the forest on her walks with the Minister in the woods. it also shows her persistence to get the full truth across to the man she loves, Dimmesdale in that she refuses to conduct the meetings in his study, so as to ensure their complete privacy and to show that she is intent on being completely truthful in Hawthorne's mind. I feel that this shows how earnest Hester is becoming and that it is foreshadowing the revelation of the truth their sin, first shown to pearl, then others
Flaus Comment 5: This part of the chapter begins with what I believe to symbolize how truth is persistent, and relentless, and will always come to light so long as there is someone virtuous in society. This truth is represented by Pearl, of whom it says "her spirit never flagged" meaning she was always upbeat, positive, and representing the purity of truth and life. I argue that the fact that pearl was unable to venture into the full truth of the pool of water symbolizes that she wants to receive the full truth out of life, but somehow, unknown to her, she is blockaded and unable. This blockade is represented by Hester, and how she refuses to fully tell Pearl about the situation. This inability to find the truth is also shown by the ships Pearl sent being crashed on shore, just how Pearl tries to get the truth from her mother, and all of her attempts are flaunted and she is left "on shore", without truth
Flaus Comment 4: This passage brings to a climax all of Hester's feelings and beliefs about Chillingworth, and all the different things that she could see happening due to his horrible influence in the world. Hawthorne chose to begin the chapter with a sentiment that causes the reader to contemplate what kind of character would haunt there memories, making the passage identifiable with the reader, drawing them in to the story. Hawthorne greatly emphasizes the poison the reader is supposed to see in the character of chillingworth, and that what should happen as he crosses the earth. He creates stark contrast such as the fresh spring grasses, and how he should cause them to wither and die. Hester again perceives the devil in the being of Chillingworth, and how a shadow seems to follow him. I interpret this shadow to also symbolize that Chillingworth could reveal Hester and Dimmesdale's sin together.
Flaus Comment 3: I feel that this passage contains strong religious backing. In Hester saying that Chillingworth, the metaphorical "Devil" has begun to control Dimmesdale's life due to the fact that he has finally come to terms with Hester about their sin, and the guilt he feels, and how in this weakened state, he could be persuaded by the devil. I also feel like Hester wishes that she had just told the Puritan public about the sin seven years ago, so as to prevent the Black Man, aka Chillingworth taking such a toll on his life and preventing him from having a cause to live. Another reason Hester regrets her decision to be completely secret with her sin, is that she misses the general human contact aspect of society, since she is now shunned and hated by many. Hawthorne fully demonstrates the inner conflict of hester vs. herself, as well as the new conflict, Hester versus Chillingworth.
Flaus Comment 2: It is interesting to note the examining nature of Hester in this passage. It seems, in my opinion, that Hester has her eyes open to the truth in this passage and begins to see the true form of her former husband. It seems that she notices some rather devlish things about Chillingworth, realizing that he has begun to prey on her wallowing in the darkness of the deed she committed and hiding herself from having to tell the truth to Pearl. It is interesting to show that, even though Chillingworth serves as the town healer and doctor, she says that he has lost his intellectual nature, and had instead become cruel and fierce, something that should not be present in a doctor. Some of the other words that stand out in Hawthorne's diction are such like blackness, where he begins to hint that Hester is becoming closer to the truth, while Roger has become the opposite, the Black Man or the Devil.
Flaus Comment 1: This comment shows the depth of symbolism in the book. Hester making Pearl, symbolizing the truth, play down by the water, which represents purity, shows that she herself is impure and sending away the truth. The fact that Pearl sees her reflection in the pool, shows that she is able to see the truth. Also the fact that her reflection beckons to her displays that she is one with her self and a completely true being, and that if she were to leave from the pool, she would be leaving the "better place". The diction that Hawthorne uses also portrays the youthfulness and purity of pearl, showing that she is completely innocent, contrary to the act that conceived her. Words that show her innocence are such words like pattering, flew, and elf-smile. The fact that Hester told Pearl to play at the margin of the water, rather that going into the water, displays her reluctance to accept the truth.
