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September 19, 2005
Scarlet Letter 14-21
Hawthorne, The Scarlet Letter (Ch 14-21) -- American Literature, 1800-1915 (EL 266)
When reading one of the first parts of the next chapters, a certain line really jumped out at me and seemed louder than the rest. When Chillingworth is having an uncomfortable conversation with Hester, he says, "It is our fate. Let the black flower blossom as it may" (160). I think this is Hawthorne's way of telling the reader "they're going down together and things are about to heat up". I couldn't believe also that the townspeople were going to let Hester remove her scarlet letter. I think Chillingworth was kind of resentful about their decision because he feels she hasn't paid her dues. I think Chillingworth really wants to see other people, like Hester and Dimmesdale, suffer because he wants them to feel the same way he does, if not worse.
Posted by AshleyHoltzer at September 19, 2005 03:24 PM
Comments
I really agree with the fact that Chillingworth feels bitter because he wants Hester and Dimmesdale to feel as bad as he is feeling inside.
Posted by: StacyEstatico at September 19, 2005 05:53 PM
Yes, Stacy, its funny how Chillingworth is trying to bring Dimmesdale and Hester down to his level of feeling bad and evil.
Posted by: Ashley Holtzer at September 20, 2005 12:41 PM