Scarlet Letter 6: 126-144

"He had spoken the very truth, and transformed it into the veriest falsehood. And yet, by the constitution of his nature, he loved the truth, and loathed the lie, as few men ever did. Therefore, above all things else, he loathed his miserable self!(131).

Although Dimmesdale feels he cannot be open with his sin, he also finds it a very large burden to keep within himself. He stated that numerous times he went up in the pulpit with the intention of proclaiming his sin to the town, however the best he could do was to tell about his sinful ways in a general sense. However, this backfired on Dimmesdale, and the people thought that if he was sinning, look at how awful they were living. Dimmesdale hated this because he was building himself up in a lie, while actually expressing the truth. He hated that even though he tried to express his sins as much as possible, he found himself being falsely portrayed as even more holy, when he knew that he should be seen as the complete opposite. In "The Crucible," John Proctor also found himself in this situation of doing what he felt the right thing, which meant being falsely portrayed as a saint, which he also felt was sinning in itself. Dimmesdale also feels unworthy of the title the town continues to give him.


"For with the new energy of the moment, all the dread of public exposure, that had so long been the anguish of his life, had returned upon him; and he was already trembling at the conjunction in which- with a strange joy, nevertheless- he now found himself"(139).

Dimmesdale feels that he simply cannot reveal his sin. He finds it to be a matter between himself and God. He feels that this is a harder way to bear a sin, instead of publicly accepting it like Hester. He has to keep his sin and guilt all to himself, while Hester is able to share it with everyone. It seems that this quote helps prove his point. It seems that the energy felt when he connected with Hester and Pearl, made him feel alive. He was recognizing his sin outwardly and he felt better. However, once he realized he could not really outwardly recognize his sin, he felt his burden grow even heavier again.

1. Is Pearl really a Devil-Child?
2. Does Dimmesdale really believe Chillingworth knows nothing of his sin?

Scarlet Letter 5: 107-126

"Roger Chillingworth's aspect had undergone a remarkable change while he had dwelt in town, and especially since his abode with Mr. Dimmesdale. At first his expression had been calm and meditative, scholar-like. Now, there was something ugly and evil about his face, which they had not previously noticed, and which grew still the more obvious to sight the oftener they looked upon him"(116).

Roger Chillingworth seems obsessed with Mr. Dimmesdale. They formed a very close relationship and they even live together. It is rather obvious that Mr. Dimmesdale had the affair with Hester Prynne, and is Pearl's father. In the beginning of the book Chillingworth made it clear that he would not rest until he found out who Pearl's father was. It seems that his quest has turned him cynical and bitter. He appears ugly as his character has changed to be. His character is now unattractive, making him more physically unattractive because he is only filled with hate, anger, and revenge.


"So, to their own unutterable torment, they go about among their fellow-creatures, looking pure as new-fallen snow while their hearts are speckled and spotted with iniquity of which they cannot rid themselves"(121)

Mr. Dimmesdale is Pearl's father, and it is rather clear that Chillingworth figured this out and is now toying with Dimmesdale. Dimmesdale here is explaining how hard his burden is. He has to bear his sin alone, with only God and himself to judge it. He is explaining that he wants to do good things to make up for his sin. However, his heart, no matter how many good deeds are done, is still stained with sin. This is its own awful punishment in that no matter how good a sinner in hiding acts, he still cannot rid himself of a sin that was committed.

1. Will Chillingworth expose Dimmesdale's sin to the town?
2. Is Chillingworth more interested in killing or torturing Dimmesdale physically or emotionally?

Scarlet Letter 4: 91-107

"Hester looked, by way of humoring the child, and she saw that, owing to the peculiar effect of this convex mirror, 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).

It seems Hester has grown used to wearing her scarlet letter while she is alone. When it is just her and Pearl, Pearl is the reminder of Hester's sin. However, the mirror reminds Hester that she is not viewed by society as a person. She is viewed and judged by her sin. No one looks at Hester for herself, they first notice what she has done wrong. Her true self, and her good heart is hidden from society's view by her sin and its representation as the scarlet letter.



""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).

Governor Bellingham and other people of the town want to take Pearl away from Hester. They believe that Hester is still full of sin and if she remains Pearl's guardian, Pear will also grow up to become sinful. However, Hester knows this is completely untrue and that she should be able to remain with her child. Pearl is the only thing keeping Hester alive. Pear is her entire world and she loves her and wants her to be the best person possible. Hester learned from her sin and at heart, is not a sinful or evil person, and she knows that she can raise Pearl well. However, while Pearl is Hester's only joy, she is a torture as well. Pearl is a constant reminder to Hester of her sin. Pearl is a walking scarlet letter to Hester. Hester completely views Pearl as a joy, but also as a painful reminder of her sin, which is a punishment in itself.

1. What is the symbol of the red rose that keeps coming up?
2. Is Dimmesdale Pearl's father?

The Scarlet Letter 3: 72-91

"But it is not recorded that, in a single instance, her skill was called in aid to embroider the white veil which was to cover the pure blushes of a bride. The exception indicated the ever-relentless rigor with which society frowned upon her sin"(76).

Hester's job was to embroider beautiful things on garments. She even embroidered for rich people because her work was so beautiful. However, Hester was not allowed to embroider something for a bride. No bride in the town would go to her. It was a mark of her sin that the people simply used her because they had to, they did not really accept her. They did not think someone who committed adultry, who was so impure, deserved to have anything to do with a bride who was faithful. Hester had a child with a man who was not her husband and her sin did not honor marriage at all. The town saw that since she once did not honor marriage when she committed her sin, she should never again have anything to do with promoting marriage.


"From first to last, in short, Hester Prynne had always this dreadful agony in feeling a human eye upon this token; the spot never grew callous; it seemed, on the contrary to grow more sensitive with daily torture"(79).

Everyone could see the scarlet letter that Hester wore. Everyone knew what it meant. Everyone stared at it in awe because they found the meaning behind the A so horrible. Everyone Hester came in contact with was constantly staring at her, and always judging her. All anyone saw when they looked at Hester was her scarlet letter. Although it may seem that one could get used to having people stare, Hester could not. Hester was so ashamed of her sin, and the more that people judged her on it, the more it hurt her. She knew she sinned and she accepted it. The constant staring and judgement day after day was torturous. She was constantly judging her action herself, and the staring of others made the combination almost impossible for her to bear.

1. Does Pearl have some type of power? Or can she merely do no wrong in her mother's eyes
2. Will Hester forgive herself so she can ignore the judgment between others and herself?

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).

Roger Chillingworth just explained to a man in the town that he was held captive, but now returned, and wants to be filled in on what is going on with Hester Prynne. The man who responds, can easily be interchanged for any member of that community because they all have the same feelings about that situation, and about sin in general. The man is happy to share the news about Hester's awful sin and punishment. He even states that it will probably make Chillingworth happy to know that people are being punished for wrongdoing. These people are obsessed with finding sin and punishment, just like in "The Crucible." In today's society, we are more focused on the good things people do, not the punishment of people who commit sins.


"Enough, it is my purpose to live and die unknown. Let, therefore, thy husband be to the world as one already dead, and of whom no tidings shall ever come. Recognize me not by word, by sign, by look!"(71).

When Chillingworth speaks to Hester he contradicts himself at numerous points. The situation seems to be that Chillingworth and Hester were once married, but Hester cheated on him and got pregnant, and somehow no one knows that the two were married. Hester is suspicious that Chillingworth wants revenge. However, he assures her that he is on the path of forgiveness and he, "seek no vengeance, plot no evil against thee"(Hawthorne 70). However, if Chillingworth really forgave Hester he would not want to remain unnoticed and he would not be ashamed to be known as her husband. It is understandable that a man who was cheated on would not want to be recognized, but if he truly forgave the woman, then he would be able to stand that judgement.

1. How does no one know that Chllingworth and Hester were married?
2. Why does everyone need to know who the baby's father is so badly?

Scarlet Letter 1: 45-56

"Measured by the prisoner's experience, however, it might be rekoned a journey of some length; for, haughty as her demeanor was, she perchance underwent an agony from every footstep of those that thronged to see her, as if her heart had been flung into the street for them all to spurn and trample upon"(Hawthorne 52).

For anyone being judged by an entire society on a sin could be considered the hardest thing they would ever have to do. No matter how tough someone looks on the outside, on the inside it is agonizing, no matter who is being judged. Hester put a brave face on and accepted her sin. However, standing on that platform no matter how brave, could not protect Hester from being judged by society, and being ripped apart piece by piece. She knew she sinned, and she accepted it, now society could make her feel even worse. The townspeople have the power of banding together and being able to attack whatever they decide not to like, in this case it is Hester and her sin. Like in "The Crucible" the people are easily influenced to join together to go against others and to put them down for sinning. There seems to be no forgiveness in either society, only condemning.



"She clutched the child so fiercely to her breast, that it sent forth a cry; she turned her eyes downward at the scarlet letter, and even touched it with her finger, to assure herself that the infant and the shame were real. Yes!- these were her realities,- all else had vanished!"(56).

Hester's sin is a reality. Unlike John Proctor, her sin is out in the open for the rest of the world to see, this includes herself. She cannot hide her wrongdoing or try to protect herself from it. It is not a dream and she cannot go back to the past. Everyone knows she has sinned, and because of this she is forced to accept it, and deal with the consequences. Standing on that platform made her realize that everything is real. She really sinned and everyone is really against her for it. She accepted that it happened.

1. Will Hester being forced to accept her sin, mean that she can forgive herself more quickly?
2. Will Hester always be ashamed and hurt by standing on the platform?

Essay

Hannah McCaffrey
AP English: F- Mr. George
November 23, 2008
The Crucible Essay

The actions, judgements, and events that took place in Salem in "The Crucible" were tragic. While many characters contributed to the story’s unfortunate results, John Proctor bears more blame for these events than anyone else. John Proctor committed the fundamental action that initiated a series of events leading directly to the Salem witch trials. Although the reasonable and honest John Proctor did not intentionally try to create this situation, he still deserves the most blame.

In "The Crucible," John Proctor is the character who is most responsible for the deplorable acts of the Salem witch trials. He is to blame for the action that started a chain reaction of unfortunate events that resulted in a town’s tragedy. John’s affair with Abigail was a major sin that caused everything else to happen. Even though Abigail was part of the affair, John is more responsible because he is an older, married man. He should be held accountable for the affair since he should have been the one to say no. The results of this affair contribute to the witch trials.

It may seem that Abigail was the main cause of the witch trials because she told many lies. However, she would not have done this if it was not for the affair with John Proctor. John is married to Elizabeth Proctor, and once John ended his affair with Abigail, she became very jealous of Elizabeth, willing to do anything to get John back. John even said it himself, "I’ll tell you what’s walking in Salem–vengeance is walking in Salem"(Miller 77). She was so desperate that she even resorted to witchcraft. As Betty explained, "You did, you did! You drank a charm to kill John Proctor’s wife! You drank a charm to kill Goody Proctor!"(Miller 19). If John never agreed to an affair with Abigail, she would never have resorted to witchcraft, which was accompanied by countless lies. John Proctor’s own actions greatly affected the actions of many other characters, especially Abigail’s. John Proctor’s thoughts and actions had such an impact on others that they even affected the actions of his wife, Elizabeth Proctor.

One of the major recurring themes of "The Crucible" is pride and protecting one’s name. John Proctor is by no means immune to this. Although he was very honest, Proctor was a proud man nonetheless. He was very ashamed of his affair with Abigail and was reluctant to reveal this great sin. He was honest, and did eventually tell Elizabeth about the affair, but he was also very hesitant to expose his sin to others because of the damage that it would do to his name and reputation.

This attitude rubbed off on Elizabeth at what could have been a major turning point in the plot. Danforth brought in Elizabeth to see if she could confirm Proctor’s story about his affair with Abigail. Elizabeth lied and said nothing about the affair. The Proctors were honest people and Proctor realized why Elizabeth lied, "She thought only to save my name!"(113). The trial should have ended at this point and it was John Proctor’s fault that it did not end here. His affair and pride in his name led Elizabeth to want to protect John’s reputation, as well. Even though this was done inadvertently, it is still John’s fault because it was his thoughts and actions that influenced others.

John Proctor certainly did not intend to cause something so awful. He is to blame for the false accusations and hangings of the witch trials. Fundamentally, John Proctor was a good and truthful man who took responsibility for his actions, and even blamed himself for all of the events. John blaming himself for these actions is evidence in itself that he is mostly responsible. He openly states that he is at fault for everything that happened in Salem, "I hear the boot of Lucifer, I see his filthy face! And it is my face"(120). He sees his actions as so wicked that he calls himself the devil because he failed to tell the truth from the beginning. He sees his actions and sins and how they influenced others and believes them to be more evil than the devil. Also some of Proctor’s dialogue with other characters shows how he was "angered–at himself as well"(23). He openly takes responsibility for being the most at fault for the witch trials.

Although they were not intentional, Proctor’s actions make him the most at fault for the events in "The Crucible." His initial and continuing thoughts and actions started chain reactions, leading directly to the disastrous witch trials. Being an honest, overall good person cannot save John Proctor from bearing the most responsibility, and the most blame, for the saddening results of this novel.

Letter 3: Proctor to Elizabeth after his death

My dearest Elizabeth,

I cannot ever fully express my gratitude and love for you. I know I made a seemingly unforgivable mistake. I was unfaithful, and worst of all that led to this immense tragedy, something that would be almost unbearable hard and painful for you. I never wanted to hurt you Elizabeth, I know that I did, and I cannot believe it. With one mistake I played a part in unraveling our whole world. I am sure it would seem strange to say that oddly enough, I have learned a lot through all of this.

Elizabeth, you taught me more than I could have ever dreamed. Starting on the simplest level, believe it or not, I learned loyalty from you. You inspire me to be honest in all my thoughts and actions, to be truthful and trustworthy, especially to you. However, the value that you taught me that I treasure the most, is forgiveness. Elizabeth, you forgave me, after I did the unthinkable. I committed a great sin, that led to nothing but more pain and hurt for you and our family. You still forgave me. For this I cannot thank you enough. Especially, since it also allowed me to be able to forgive myself.

If it was not for you, I would not have been able to forgive myself for all of my actions. You taught me how. Elizabeth, it was you who allowed me to do the right thing, and remain an honest man, while in doing so, uphold my dignity. I was able to die an honest man, and in my eyes for a noble cause. I would not have let myself do this if I did not learn how to forgive myself from you. I would have gone on living for the wrong reasons. I cannot thank you enough, or express to you how much you have enlightened me. I am sorry I had to leave you, but all I ask is for you to remember that I am always with you, and without you, I don’t know where I would have ended up, but it certainly not would have been here in heaven. Thank you Elizabeth.

Love,
John

Letter 2: Hale's Journal entry

Dear Journal,

It is I, Hale, writing to you yet again. I thought I knew everything. I thought I knew completely all of it. How could I have been so wrong? I was extensively educated and I am certainly considered an intelligent man. I was the most sought after witch craft expert in all of Massachusetts. I do not know where it was that I went wrong. I had all of the right qualifications. I was trying to do the right thing, to purify a town and spread Christianity. Something turned out horribly wrong, I do not know how I could have gone so far off the right path.

I came into Salem thinking that I knew what to expect. I thought that I would find signs of witch craft, especially since a group of girls were witnesses. Numerous amounts of people were accused of witch craft. I could not disprove their loyalty to the devil without a confession. I let them all hang. There was an uproar of witch craft in Salem, I did not think the town would be set right until the assumed source was eliminated. I had to do it. I did it for the town. If they never found out the truth, everything would have gone smoothly. I thought my knowledge of witch craft could justify these accusations and hangings. I did it for the right reasons. I wanted a pure town without even a thought of witch craft. Are those not good intentions?

It is true, I had good thoughts. I do not mean to be arrogant, but it is the simple truth. However, even though I never intended for any of this to happen, lives were ended because of me. Deaths of innocent people occurred that I could have, and should have stopped. I am a reverend, and I let people die right before me. The one that hurt me the worst was John Proctor. If only I convinced him to live, if only I got him to confess, then maybe I would have been able to redeem my dignity. It is true he died for noble reasons, however, I wish that he lived, just the same. He did not deserve to die, I should have stopped him, then maybe all of my wrongs would have been undone. Now we will never know. We will never know what would have happened if I prevented this tragedy. That is a thought that will haunt me forevermore.

-Reverend Hale

Letter 1: Abigail to John after he died

To my dearest true love,

My one and only John, words cannot express how much I miss you, how much I have missed you. It is awful to think that our parting words before your passing were those of anger. However, John, you were, and still are, my one true love. I know you were angry with me when the start of all this happened, and you could have only gotten even more mad at my actions, but I am asking for your forgiveness. John, you know I have never loved another more than you, but I cannot go another night without things being right between us. I loved you with all of my heart, nothing less, and I know that you loved me back despite everything that has happened that threatened to tear us even further apart. I know you will forgive me John, but I also know that I need to further express my endless love for you anyway.

Do you remember when we first fell in love? The only way to describe it was magic. From the moment we were together I knew that nothing, not even your unseen tragic death, could ever end our love. It started with the single lie about witchcraft. You saw right through that lie to the real me, and even though you denied it at the time, I know having to stay with Elizabeth broke your heart. I know it hurt you to leave me at the time and I am more than sorry that I played a part in driving you away.

I cannot forgive myself, knowing that my lies led to your fate absolutely kills me. I know you will find it in your heart to forgive me, but I cannot bear the thought that it was I who took you away from me. As for Elizabeth, I could not bear to see the two of you together. For what she has gone through, I do not apologize. We both know that we were the ones meant to be eternally together. I apologize for us not being together right this very second. I miss you terribly, and I know you do, too. We will be together soon, this time forever, just like we are supposed to be. I love you always, John.

Love,
Abigail