4.2 The Scarlet Letter Flashcards
An essay that details…
Hawthorne’s experience working at the Salem Custom House.
Chapter 1 to 8
The focus is on the Puritan community of Boston and Herter Prynne, who has given birth to a illegitimate daughter, Pearl. She is publicly displayed wearing the badge of adultery. Her husband returns anonymously with a new identity as Chillingworth.
Chapter 9 to 12
the chapters are centred on Chillingworth who suspects the pastor Dimmesdale to be the father of Pearl. He torments the pastor mentally.
Chapter 13 to 19
It is about Hester’s concern about Dimmesdale’s suffering. She urges the young pastor to escape together.
Chapter 20 to 24
Dimmesdale leaves the church and confess his sin, he dies in Hester’s arms. Chillingworth dies soon after. Hester takes Pearl to Europe where she makes a fortunate marriage.
The letter A has two meanings
On one side, it represents the strict moral rules of Puritans. On the other side, Hester transforms it into a symbol of freedom.
Allegory is often used to…
convey moral messages and it has been employed by Puritans, so, Hawthorne used the Puritan allegorical method against the Puritans themselves.
