ch 14 questions

What does Hester now say about her scarlet letter to Chillingworth?

“It lies not in the pleasure of the magistrates to take off this badge […] Were I worthy to be quit of it, it would fall away of its own nature, or be transformed into something that should speak a different purpose” (153).

Describe Chillingworth physically.

He has grown visibly older over the past 7 years

“An eager, searching, almost fierce, yet carefully guarding look” (153).

What do we find out Dimmesdale’s true "death" is, and how does he suffer it?

“Your clutch is on his life, and you cause him to die daily a living death; and still he knows you not.  In permitting this, I have surely acted a false part by the only man whom the power was left me to be true!” (154)

Dimmesdale suffers every day because of Chillingworth

Describe exactly how Chillingworth has treated Dimmesdale and why he has treated him that way.

He has followed him everywhere and studied every part of his life

He wants to understand him and find ways how to torment him

He has a clutch on his life, and kills him daily

Why has Dimmesdale increased his debt to Chillingworth?

Chillingworth believes that Dimmesdale has increased his debt because of what he has gone through and how he has changed over the past 9 years

He blames Dimmesdale for the changes and stress that he ahs gone through

Says that his life was peaceful and now has changed

Claims the hatred has turned him into a fiend

Is Chillingworth’s argument valid about that point?

No, Dimmesdale is not totally responsible

Hester committed the same act

Does not need to seek revenge in the way he is

He is not the final judge, does not have right to punish

What is the final resolution between Hester and Chillingworth? Is there one? 

Hester wants to reveal to Dimmesdale the truth

She wants Chillingworth to stop, but he wont

Chillingworth does not try to stop her

The Scarlet Letter 6: 126-144

“‘Then, and there, before the judgment-seat, thy mother, and thou, and I must stand together. But the daylight of this world shall not see our meeting!’” (139). 

• In this quotation Dimmesdale reveals that he feels that they will be judged together.  His sin and Hester’s sin are the same.  They will be judged the same way.  He probably felt somewhat relieved standing on the scaffold holding hands with the sinners whose sins are known to everyone.  He was confused about his judgment or redemption process, but now seems to understand it.  In a way it relates to Proctor, but in the opposite sense.  Proctor felt the need to tell people about his sin and then later understands that only God can judge him.  Dimmesdale begins feeling only God can judge him, but feels so much guilt that he now feels the need to tell people about his sin.  

When will they be judged together?  Will there ever be a time?

“‘Who is that man, Hester?’ gasped Mr. Dimmesdale, overcome with terror.  ‘I shiver at him!  Dost thou know the man?  I hate him, Hester!’” (142). 

• This quotation takes place after Dimmesdale has been standing on the scaffold with Pearl and Hester.  After that interaction he sees a man watching them.  He is very weary of the man.  He does not feel right while this man is looking at him.  He most likely feels that weird feeling that you get when you do not know who someone is and they are staring at you, but there is a chance that he realizes something odd with the man.  He should have these feelings because the man watching him is Chillingworth, and Chillingworth is out to get him.  Dimmesdale does not realize this yet, but hopefully come to this realization before it is too late.  

In this quotation does Dimmesdale know it is Chillingworth or is he spooked by the presence of the unknown man?

The Scarlet Letter 5: 107-126

“Why would a wretched man, guilty, we will say, of murder, prefer to keep the dead corpse buried in his own heart, rather than fling it forth at once, and let the universe take care of it!” (120).

• In this quote Mr. Dimmesdale is trying to find a reason for keeping guilt secret from others.  As we all know now, Dimmesdale is the man whom Hester had the affair with.  He makes it very obvious throughout this selection.  I believe he wants the opinion of someone he can “trust”, but does not realize that Chillingworth is out to get him.  Dimmesdale is trying to figure out if he should keep his actions secret, or spread them so that he can feel more relieved.  It must not be easy for Dimmesdale to keep this burden, and that may be a reason that he is trying to reach out to Chillingworth, but nevertheless it is the wrong decision and will most likely cost him a lot in the end.  

Will Dimmesdale ever tell anyone about his action, or will everyone find out through Chillingworth?

“But still, methinks, it must needs be better for the sufferer to be free to show his pain, as this poor woman Hester is, than it cover it all up in his heart” (123).

• In this quote Dimmesdale speaks of how he thinks that the burden of the sin must be much lesser on Hester because her sin is out in the open.  Everyone can see her sin, and she lives her punishment, but his is worse.  No one knows, and he must live with the burden of the secret.  He must also watch as Hester suffers openly while he does not openly suffer at all.  It must be very hard on him, and this is very evident through this chapter.  He speaks of how he thinks the burden for the man with the secret sin must be very grave, and he knows from experience.  It is must not be extremely difficult to live a lie.

Will Dimmesdale find a way to rid himself of his burden?

The Scarlet Letter 4: 91-107

"The scarlet letter was represented in exaggerated and gigantic proportions, so as to be greatly the most prominent feature of her appearance. In truth, she seemed absolutely hidden behind it" (97). 

• This quote shows how the scarlet letter has consumed Hester’s life.  It is the only thing people see when they look at her.  They do not see her or her actions.  They only see the scarlet letter and are reminded of Hester’s sin.  It will be important to see how this continues on throughout the story.  It will also be important to see how Hester feels as is she has no good left inside her, and how Pearl is a living and constant reminder of Hester’s sin.  The affect the situation is having on Hester seems to be growing as the book develops, and sadly it seems as if it will only get worse.

To what extent is this situation going to affect Hester?  Will it get better or worse?

"‘God gave me the child!’ cried she. ‘He gave her in requital of all things else, which he had taken from me. She is my happiness! - she is my torture, none the less! Pearl keeps me here in life! Pearl punishes me too! See ye not, she is the scarlet letter, only capable of being loved, and so endowed with a million-fold the power of retribution for my sin? Ye shall not take her I will die first!’"(103).

• In this quote we see Hester defending Pearl.  The townspeople want to take her from Pearl because they think that Hester is not fit to raise her, and even if she was there is the chance that Pearl is of demon descent because of the way she was  conceived.  Hester obviously does not want to give up her daughter.  She loves her.  She is the only thing that makes her happy in a world that frowns upon her, but it is much more than that. She is a constant reminder of her sin.  She is the consequence of her actions, and there is nothing that can take that away.
  

How will this continue to play on in the story? Will Pearl have a greater affect on Hester?

The Scarlet Letter 3: 72-91

“She would become the general symbol at which the preacher and moralist might point, and in which they might vivify and embody their images of woman’s frailty and sinful passions.  Thus the young and pure would be taught to look at her, with the scarlet letter flaming on her breast [..] as the figure, the body, and the reality of sin” (73).

• In this quote Hester’s future is discussed.  It is realized that because of her sin she will be made an example of.  The townspeople want her on the scaffold for everyone to see.  They want the people to see how sinfulness affects them.  For the rest of her life she will have to live with the shame of her sin, and be reminded of it everyday while she stands on the scaffold.  This may be another underlying reason for the choice of punishment.  They may want to use this to scare others into not performing these actions.  Whatever the reason is, she has to live with this punishment forever.  
  

Will Hester’s punishment have a positive or negative affect on the townspeople?  Will there be any affect at all?  

“When strangers looked curiously at the scarlet letter, - and none ever failed to do so, - they branded it afresh into Hester’s soul; so that oftentimes, she could scarcely refrain, yet always did refrain, from covering the symbol with her hand.  But then, again, an accustomed eye had likewise its own anguish to inflict.  Its cool stare of familiarity was intolerable” (79).

• In this quote we see how Hester is affected by the constant stares as she walks around the colony.  It must be very difficult to have to live with the constant stares from everyone around her.  The worst part of it is that they all look down upon her as an awful sinner, when all of them have sinned as well.  It is unfair to her to have to live with the stares everyday.  It states that it is worst for her when it is an old stare.  She says, “The spot never grew callous; it seemed, on the contrary, to grow more sensitive with daily torture” (79).  It must be very difficult to go through the stares, the whispers, and the mocking constantly.  

Will Hester ever break down from the constant stress of the stares?

The Scarlet Letter 2: 56-72

"Truly, friend; and methinks it must gladden your heart, after your troubles and sojourn in the wilderness,’ said the townsman, ‘to find yourself, at length, in a land where iniquity is searched out, and punished in the sight of rulers and people, as here in our godly New England"(58).

• In this quote we see that one of the townspeople shares the story with Roger Chillingworth, a stranger whose name is later told to us.  He was taken away for a while and is being told about Hester’s sin and the punishment.  The townsman, like any other person in the town, is almost proud of the fact that Hester is being punished for her sin.  It relates to “The Crucible” in the way that the people seek reparation for their sins, but may not exactly know how to find the way to cleanse themselves.  This punishment makes people happy, but how can standing on a scaffold while wearing the letter “A” sewn to her dress actually help Hester cleanse herself of her sin.  The people in this society look just for punishment rather than any type of redemption.  

Will the people of the town become dissatisfied with the punishment?  Will Hester be able to be cleansed of her sin and find redemption?

“Heaven hath granted thee an open ignominy, that thereby thou mayest work out an open triumph over the evil within thee, and the sorrow within.  Take heed how thou deniest him - who, perchance, hath not the courage grasp it for himself” (63).

• In this quote we see how the townspeople will try to appeal to Hester to give up the name of the man who she had the affair with.  They speak of how her sin is open because of the pregnancy, and that it gives her a chance to openly overcome sin.  They want her to give the name of the man so that he can too overcome the sin.  They plead with her because they must also believe that it is somewhat unfair to her and the people that she must bear all the punishment for the sin that two people committed.  It must be tempting for her to give up the name, and it will be interesting to see how this develops in the plot of the story.
  

How long will it be until Hester gives up the name of the man, and what will be the reason for her doing it?

The Scarlet Letter 1: 45-56

“At the very least, they should have put the brand of hot iron on Hester Prynne’s forehead. [..] let her cover the mark as she will, the pang of it will be always in her heart.” (49)

• The quotation shows the varying differences in opinion between the “gossips” of the town.  The woman all have their own opinions about the punishment and about Hester.  They all think negatively of her.  When she comes out with the scarlet letter sewn to her dress they are at first surprised.  They never thought that she would bear the mark so willingly.  Then they shift into knocking her down and claim that she is mocking the magistrates.  They obviously feel that she is lower than them because of her sin, and that she should suffer for it.
  

How will the “gossips’” views affect Hester?  Will they do anything to make the punishment worse?

“Here, there was the taint of deepest sin in the most sacred quality of human life, working such effect, that the world was only the darker for this woman’s beauty, and the more lost for the infant that she borne.” (53)

• In this selection we see a comparison made between Mary and Hester.  They explain how Mary was sinless and her son was sent to redeem the world.  In the case of Hester Prynne she was tainted with sin, and her child would lose a lot for her sin.  It is the complete opposite to the story of Mary.  The whole paragraph draws a comparison between the two incidents.  It will be an important element to keep in mind, and will most likely play out bad for Hester.  If Mary was sinless and her son suffered, Hester’s child will surely suffer for her sin.  
  

How will this comparison develop during the story?

Crucible Essay 2

Andy Medina

AP English 11

Mr. George

The Crucible Essay 2

There are two types of characters in the play, “The Crucible.”  The two types of characters are good and bad.  Both types of characters commit sins throughout the play. This is a known fact.  The disparity between the good and bad characters is seen through their intentions behind the sins, and how they try to redeem themselves for the acts committed.  Abigail Williams is a character who commits sins throughout the play, and shows no remorse for her actions.  She is an evil character.  She commits many sins, and goes deeper and deeper down a dark path.  Abigail’s treacherous fall towards evil is a long and path in which countless others are affected.  As the play unravels the reader develops a sense of hatred towards Abigail.  The reason for this growing hatred is due to the reader seeing her intentions behind the evil actions she commits.

Abigail and John Proctor begin the play on the same moral grounds.  John is a married man, who had an affair with Abigail.  They are equally responsible for this action, however the reader feels completely different towards the two characters.  The cause for the different feelings is simple.  The reader sees the decisions being made by both characters.  The reader is told that the people of Salem “had no ritual for the washing away of sins.” (Miller 20).  John and Abigail make go down completely different paths after the affair takes place.  The reader sees a sense of attachment that Abigail begins to develop towards Proctor after the affair takes place.  She wants more than just the affair. On the other hand, John sees the affair in a much different light.  He sees the actions as a horrible act, and tries to cleanse himself of the sin.  He does not know how to completely cleanse himself of his sin, but he tries to make things right.  He comes forth and admits his faults throughout the play.  This is where the reader begins to see the difference between the two characters.  Abigail wants Proctor for herself, and feels the need to ruin anyone who stands in her way.  They are undoubtedly different characters in the way they make decisions after the affair.  This is only one way Abigail becomes a hated character, but there are many other factors that play into this feeling.  

Throughout the play Abigail continuously manipulates and lies to others to achieve her goal.  Her goal is obvious.  She is trying to get Elizabeth Proctor out of the way so that she can have John Proctor to herself.  The first attempt the reader sees toward this goal is when Abigail forces Tituba, Betty, and other girls into the woods to perform witchcraft.  As Betty says, “You drank a charm to kill Goody Proctor!” (19).  Abigail will resort to any means to have John for herself.  She uses Tituba to get the charm, but when they are accused of witchcraft Abigail turns on Tituba.  “She sends her spirit on me in church […] She comes to me while I sleep” (44).  Abigail had used Tituba for all that she was worth and was willing to sacrifice Tituba to save herself.  Soon after this occurs Abigail sees Tituba save herself by condemning others and says, “I want the light of God, I want the sweet love of Jesus!” (48).  She uses this event to save herself in the eyes of the people of the town.  They see her as a converted sinner, and listen to her word as the truth.  She takes complete advantage of the people of the town and begins to name people who are witches.  This eventually leads to the point where she can accuse Elizabeth of being a witch, but before that happens she must use, and then betray, other people.

At the beginning of the play, Mary Warren is an ally of Abigail.  She was one of the girls who danced with her in the forest.  Abigail sees Mary making a doll for Elizabeth and seizes the opportunity to accuse Elizabeth of witchcraft.  When Mary helps John and Elizabeth Abigail turns on her.  “Oh, Mary, this is a black art to change your shape” (115).  It is obvious that Abigail truly cares for no one and that she is willing to throw anyone away to save herself.  These actions draw hatred from the reader.  

The hatred for Abigail is well developed by the author.  He gives the reader an almost omniscient view of the play.  The reader sees all her actions, and what truly lies behind them.  Through this view, all of Abigail’s actions are seen without the deceitful cloud she emits.  She only looks out for herself, and that is a quality that drives people crazy.  She gets people to trust her, and lies to them to try and achieve her goal.

The reader goes along with Abigail down her path, and as it moves along, so too do the feelings of disgust.  When she realizes that she is done she runs away with her uncle’s money, but her presence is still felt in the town.  The hangings that take place because of her false accusations still occur.  This is the final action that gives the reader the complete hatred for Abigail.  The reader sees Abigail for a lying, deceitful whore, and her ending fits her.  In the section of the book called the “Echoes Down the Corridor” the reader is told Abigail turned up as a prostitute in Boston.  It is a fitting end to such a filthy, treacherous character.  

Letter 3

Dear John,

I now realize that my actions have gone too far.  All I wanted was for us to be together.  I did not intend for these extra consequences.  I love you John Proctor, more than you know.  Every night when I sleep I feel you by my side.  I feel your warm touch all over my body.  It makes me think of what could have been, and wish that it could be so in the future.

I do not understand what you see in Elizabeth.  I am a much better fit for you.  I would do anything for you.  I only wish that you could feel the same.  John, please confess.  Save yourself.  I never wanted to hurt you.  I only wished to have you.  I promise that if you confess that life could be different.  We could have a new and better life together.  We could do great things together.

John, I stole my uncle's savings.  I have enough money for the both of us.  We can go far, far away and start a new life together.  We can go to a place where they have never heard of the town of Salem.  John, please come to your senses.  This is your best option.  We have everything we need to get away, except you freedom.

John, I am truly sorry for everything that has happened.  I know it’s not enough for me to just say it, but I only wish you can forgive me and run away with me.  I only want to make things better.  Please, consider what I have said.  I truly feel as if we can start a new and great life together.  I love you John.  I always will.  

Love always,

Abigail

P.S. I need a response soon before my uncle realizes I have stolen his money.  You not need to worry for I will not incriminate you if you choose to stay.  It is your loss.

Letter 2

Mr. Hale,

It is only now, during the last few days of my life, that I have come to fully understand the consequences of my actions.  I write to you knowing the right people will see this letter.  I wish to ask for the forgiveness from the people of Salem.  I was in the wrong.  I empowered evil.  I looked for the truth and found lies.  Even when I found the truth, I believed it was too late.  I sought to keep my name clean.  I sought to save my reputation.  I was wrong.  I was blinded by my ego. Instead of admitting that I was wrong, I continued down the dark path of lies.  I condemned the truthful and set the liars free.  It is now that I see how truly ignorant I was.  I am sorry.

Secondly, I wish to apologize to Elizabeth Proctor.  I should have been more reasonable.  Your husband was a good man.  He was true to himself to the very end.  I am truly sorry that I did not realize this earlier.  I did not believe you or your husband.  You both are good, truthful people.  If only there were more people like yourselves in the town.  I envy your courage and bravery throughout the events.

Finally to you Mr. Hale, you are a good and faithful man.  You sought to find the truth in the situation.  You saw through the lies.  You saw the people for who they really were.  I should have trusted your opinion more.  You are and very knowledgeable man.  I am sorry that I doubted you.

I would also like everyone to know that I am very sorry.  I have felt guilt since these events took place.  I only hope that I can receive some clearance of mind and possibly some forgiveness.

Sincerely,

Danforth 

Letter 1

My dearest Elizabeth,

Oh how much I miss you.  I have spent these past many nights thinking of you and the boys.  I wish I could be there with you.  I think about being with you with every breathe I take.

I want my life, but I do not know if I can give up my name.  If only I could make it so that I would not have to give them that piece of me.  It is a man's most prized possession.  It is an almost impossible decision to make.  I want to be with you and live the rest of my life with you, but I do not think I can live that lie knowing I lied to free myself.

I love you Elizabeth.  I have made some horrible mistakes in my  life.  I'm truly sorry that I hurt you.  I want you to know that my love has never changed.  I only hope that you can remember this when I am gone.  I want you to live your life.  I do not want you to have any feelings of remorse.  You did nothing wrong.  You tried your best to help me, but sadly the town has gone through so much corruption that the truthful are the ones who suffer.  I hope someday that people will look back on these events and see everyone for who they truly were.

My last thing that I wish to get across to you is how much you truly have meant to me during this time.  You have been there for me when I have needed it.  The thoughts of you are the only things that are keeping me going.  You are the most important thing in my life.  I am so glad to have spent this time with you.  The only regret I have is not being able to spend more of my life with you.  I truly love you Elizabeth.  You are the best wife a man could ask for.

Your loving husband,

John Proctor