One sentence post (be sure to sign your name)
Post your thesis statement for your The Scarlet Letter character analysis essay. Be sure that this statement is an argument.
Yes, it is a draft, so I will be giving you feedback if needed or will simply say it looks great!
In The Scarlet Letter, Chillingworth leeches off of Dimmesdale's suffering, proving his inner evil and eventual self destruction due to his wish for revenge.
ReplyDeleteMichael Schaefer
Good topic. However, consider turning things around in your thesis...what is Hawthorne saying about revenge and its power through Chillingworth?
DeleteIs he just leeching (which seems passive) or is there also some additional action he takes (and that perhaps overtakes him)?
Pearl's gestures due to her innocent and inquisitive nature, reveal the underlying emotions and struggles of characters in The Scarlet Letter.
ReplyDelete-Anna D
Is she simply innocent and inquisitive?
DeleteThe nexst part of your thesis is too broad ("the underlying emotions and struggles of characters"). For such a short essay you need to be more specific.
Also consider: what is it about her innocence and inquisitiveness that causes the revelations? Is Hawthorne implying something about the power of innocence?
In The Scarlet Letter, Although Dimmesdale is perceived by society as a holy figure, he becomes consumed by his sin which transforms him into a character with a divided identity
ReplyDeleteEthan McRae
Consider: Why does he become consumed by his sin? What is Hawthorne saying about sin (or how Dimmesdale responds to his sin) through Dimmesdale's resultant transformation?
DeleteHis divided identity is a good observation. Does this division reveal or represent something?
Dimmesdale's concealed sin amplifies the duality of his character by fracturing him into both the sufferer and the torturer.
ReplyDelete-Lauren McKie
Excellent observation...so what's the implication as a result? What does his fractured self reveal / show / emphasize (etc)?
DeleteIn the Scarlet Letter, Hester Prynne's view of herself transforms, and she becomes more accepting of who she is, Hawthorne describes these changes using the "A" and the nature surrounding Hester. Julia hadden
ReplyDeleteGood observations, but continue to work of the cohesiveness of your statement & your argument.
DeleteTo start off, consider moving things around. For example, "Hawthrone's use of the letter "A" and nature in conjunction with Hester...(does what / emphasizes what / reveals what?)"
Is Hester aware of the power of the "A" and nature, or are they symbols that represent her transformation and developing self-acceptance (or something)? If symbols, what do they reveal about transformation / self-acceptance?
In the Scarlet Letter Hester transforms both physically and mentally and this helps her to be exonerated from her past.
ReplyDelete-Justin Stott
Good observation & you're on your way to an argument.
DeleteWhy / how is she able to transform?
Why / how do the transformations lead to her exoneration?
What is implied through her exoneration?
The character Pearl in the Scarlet Letter demonstrates the hidden malevolence found in innocence and children, which provides a caricature of human nature as a whole.
ReplyDelete-Max Slingluff
Interesting observation.
Delete"provides a caricature of human nature as a whole" is broad...Consider: what aspect(s) of human nature? Why have this caricature? What does the caricature reveal? What is exaggerated through it & why / to make what point?
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DeleteIn the Scarlet Letter, Hester Prynne's role with society dramatically changes, exemplifying the fact that her sin does not define who she really is.
ReplyDeleteKatie Crowley
How does her role within society dramatically change? Meaning is the change result of her actions?
DeleteDoes Hester's changing role also imply / exemplify something about humans in general? Should one moment / mistake not define a life? Or did her her sin not define her, but her reaction to her sin & consequental punishment truly define her strength & nobility of character?
Dimmesdale is transformed throughout the novel by his layers; he is a Russian doll of emotion, as crucial events and time peels off one layer, a more raw man is revealed.
ReplyDelete-Colleen Kasprzak
Interesting observation. I like the nesting doll metaphor, but it may be better suited for your intro before your thesis.
DeleteYou need to go beyond observation and make an argument. What is implied / asserted through his traqnsformation & layers? How is the rawness relevant? Does it connect with the pain / brutality of being humanly imperfect in contrast with the seeminly perfect exterior facade?
In The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, Pearl is presented as a character with many diverse identities, which alter society's perception of whom they believe to be her father.
ReplyDeleteMegan Holmes
Ok. Good observation. So what's the implication about fathers/parents/children? If personality traits indicate parentage is it implied that individuals do not have full control of identiy, but that it is inherited? Is it her lack of father that makes her so disconnected from the norm and rejected from society which is uncomfortable with that lack of tradition / stability / traceable inherited identity?
DeleteIn the Scarlet Letter, Hester Prynne's strength is born of ability to accept her own failings, resist the judgment of others, and grow through the challenges presented to her instead of crumbling under them.
ReplyDeleteKate Massucco
Nice idea. Does, ironically, the Scarlet Letter then act not as a debilitating punishment but a source of strength and growth in the ways you listed? Is it character defining not in the way it labels her (as intended), but in the ways she responds to it?
Delete(add "her" before "ability")
In Nathaniel Hawthorne's novel, The Scarlet Letter, Hester Prynne uses her experiences in sin and isolation to build a bridge between herself and society resulting in internal peace.
ReplyDeletenice idea.
DeleteSo while the scarlet letter was intended to alienate her, Hester was able to use it and her resultant experiences as a bridge...
What is implied by her experience & ultimate internal peace? (In terms of a "message" or "lesson")
In The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, the character of Pearl shows reflections of the society she lives in and the influence of isolation of her home life resulting in multiple layers of personalities.
ReplyDeleteErin Chute (forgot to sign my name)
ReplyDeleteIt is okay. Please don't worry about it!
DeleteInteresting reflections idea. Will you be refering to actual & symbolic reflections from the text? That could be great. Do her reflections reveal something about the things she reflects? Does she act as a mirror in which people / society / nature whatever can be viewed more fully/clearly/truthfully?
DeleteI'm not 100% sure about the "multiple layers of personailites" as a way to end...if you keep that part you need to make clear how/why these multiple layers of personalities are relevant / important to some sort of bigger idea / message.
In Nathaniel Hawthorne's, the Scarlett Letter, Hester choses internal happiness over shame which breaks the chains of her torturous scarlet letter, in which she becomes a symbolic figure of hope, in the ancient city of Boston.
ReplyDelete- Filipe S. Galvao
Nice idea.
DeleteI'd consider moving some parts around to "...Hester breaks the chains of her torturous scarlet letter by choosing internal happiness over shame..." and ultimately becomes a symbolic figure of hope (and add something else about what else she represents besides hope through her chain-breaking)
Get rid of the "in the ancient city of Boston" part. Not necessary & not ancient. :)
In The Scarlet Letter, Pearl develops the ideas of a minister throughout the novel based on her relationship to sin and forgiveness, creating a link between her and her parents.
ReplyDeleteNolan Kessinger
Interesting concept...
DeleteWhat exactly do you mean by "the ideas of a minister"? Need to clarify.What minister-like ideas does she have / embody? What's thhe impact of these ideas (beyond showing / creating a link between her & her parents? Is Hawthorne expressing something about the wisdom / insight of youth/innocence? Is it releavant (perhaps ironic) that she, a child & outsider, has these qualities & the ability to see / understand / represent sin & forgiveness when others, liek the real reverend, are unable to do so so completely?
The transformation of Pearls character as she becomes assimilated into puritan society can be seen as a result of her isolation as a young child, as well as her evolving relationships with her mother and Dimmesdale.
ReplyDelete-Sophia Jessiman
Good observation about the fact that her character transforms as a result...but what is the relevance? What is revealed / asserted / implied by this transformation? Does she transform for better? worse?
DeleteIn The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, Chillingworth is transformed into a symbol of evil when his character is driven by spite and revenge.
ReplyDelete-Olivia Vinton
good. Is there a warning or lesson implied by this transformation?
DeleteIn The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, Hester's constant struggles against society, are her way of deciding her own identity instead of letting others determine it for her.
ReplyDelete-Baelyn Duffy
DeleteOk. Nice topic / idea, but need to go a bit further.
DeleteWhat's the result of the struggles / her decision? What is Hawthorne implying about human experience through her struggles / decision? Is there a message about self-empowerment somewhere in there? Is there something that represents / embodies her struggles?
(get rid of the comma after "society")
Throughout the Scarlet Letter, Hester's femininity is a pure thing, but is regarded as sinful by the rest of the puritan society and is buried under the weight of her hardships because of this.
ReplyDelete-Alex VanAntwerp
Interesting topic. Where is her femininity celebrated / freed? Why is it femininty = sin? Is it too associated with nature / the uncontrollable? is it dangerous?
DeleteIn The Scarlet Letter, Hawthorne uses the character of Dimmesdale to emphasize the constant internal battle between good and evil, highlighting the effects of such conflict through the reverend's deteriorating mental and physical state.
ReplyDelete-Danny Fier
Is this a constant internal battle for all people? Does Dimmesdale's experience relate somethign about the human condition/experience?
DeleteNo credit.
In the scarlet letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, Hester's outlook on life and
ReplyDeleteherself completely changes and when she decides to break out of her shell and
embrace the scarlet A she is forced to wear.
-Kerry Luiso
Fine observation. So implication of Hester's choice and changes? What message / lesson / idea/ assertion is connected with it in terms of sin / perception / personal empowerment / identity (whatever)?
DeleteNo credit.
In The Scarlet Letter, Arthur Dimmesdale and Hester Prynne commit the same sin, but Dimmesdale's actions are concealed, while Hester's are publicly known. Because Dimmesdale's suffering is in silence, his existence as a human declines in quality, while Hester's is qualitatively unaffected.
ReplyDelete-Ben Macchi
Fine idea, but your analysis needs to be focused on one character. Your thesis is equally focused on two and needs to change to focus on either Hester or Dimmesdale.
DeleteConsider the implications of the result / effect for whatever character you choose.
No credit.
In the Scarlet Letter the author uses Dimmesdale's internal struggle and Chillingsworth actions and thoughts to show the struggle between the light and the dark, or the good and the evil.
ReplyDelete-Fabricio Souza
This essay needs to focus on the analysis on one character. Choose either Dimmesdale or Chillingworth.
DeleteGood topic.
When you choose a character, consider how Hawthorne expresses the struggle. For example, is it emphasized through some sort of symbolism?
In the Scarlet Letter, Pearl's symbolic appearance and peculiar personality remain constant reminders to Hester that she is the product of her own sin.
ReplyDeleteMax Michaud
Goos idea.
DeleteSo does this imply that Hester can never fully escape her sin/past? Why would Hawthorne have Pearl be such a representation of Hester's sin?
Also, I'm guessing this character analysis will focus on Pearl? But I'm not 100% sure...
In Nathanial Hawthorn's /The Scarlet Letter,/ Chillingworth's obsession with revenge and attachment to the sins of Dimmesdale cause his damnation and subsequent death.
ReplyDelete- Lauryn Nosevich