September 28, 2005
The Yellow Wallpaper
Gilman, ''The Yellow Wall-paper'' (1899) -- American Literature, 1800-1915 (EL 266)
"I beg of you for my sake and for our child's sake. as well as for your own, that you will never for one instant let that idea enter your mind! There is nothing so dangerous, so fascinating, to a temperament like yours."
I feel like he is really patronizing her. She feels that there is something more wrong with her than a physical illness. When he tells her that she is doing better and to believe him, I feel as though she knows that something is not right and he is just lying to make her feel better.
Posted by StacyEstatico at 8:41 PM | Comments (2)
September 26, 2005
Bartleby and the Custom's House
Melville, ''Bartleby the Scrivener'' (1853) -- American Literature, 1800-1915 (EL 266)
I saw a few similarities between the Custom's House Chapter in the Scarlet Letter and Bartleby the Scrivener. First, the narrorator of both of the stories seems to be the owner or the boss of the workplace. Finally, I saw a similarity in the fact that before Bartleby worked for the Lawyer, he worked for the dead letter office until their was a change in administration, and he then came to work for the Lawyer. This is the same as the fact that the Narrorator in the Scarlet Letter worked at the Custom's House until a political change and he lost his job and began to write his interprettion of the Scarlet Letter.
As for the story, the quote that I found interesting was one by the Lawyer. He said, "Here I can cheaply purchase a delicious self-approval. To befriend Bartleby; to humor him in his strange wilfulness, will cost me little or nothing, while I lay up in my soul what will eventually prove a sweet morsel for my conscience." I think that this quote shows that although the Lawyer may seem as though he is trying to do something nice for Bartleby, he is really making himself feel better. He is saying that if he keeps Bartleby at work rather than firing him, he will be able to make himself feel better knowing that he helped someone by letting them keep their job. He is doing more of a favor to himself than he is to Bartleby.
Posted by StacyEstatico at 9:42 AM | Comments (2)
September 21, 2005
Scarlet Letter
Hawthorne, The Scarlet Letter (Ch 22-24, Introductory) -- American Literature, 1800-1915 (EL 266)
Lauren, I agree with the fact that the story gets a little confusing at this point. I was not sure what was on Dimmesdale's chest. It had to have been something. Like Michelle said, it may have not been a literal mark, but it was symbolic and it was obviously evident to the townspeople as well
Posted by StacyEstatico at 2:04 PM | Comments (0)
September 20, 2005
The Scarlet Letter Chapter 22-24
Hawthorne, The Scarlet Letter (Ch 22-24, Introductory) -- American Literature, 1800-1915 (EL 266)
"For, Hester, I am a dying man. So let me make haste to take my shame upon me!" I think that this was the turning point for Dimmesdale. He said in chapter 17 that he wanted to be happy like Hester by being open with his sin. Now he is showing her that he is strong as well and she can be proud of him too. He even shows the town people that he is the other sinner when he shows them the mark on his chest. I think that Dimmesdale really changed throughout this story and although he died at the end he came to peace with his life before it happened.
Posted by StacyEstatico at 8:36 PM | Comments (5)
September 18, 2005
The Scarlet Letter Chapter 14-21
Hawthorne, The Scarlet Letter (Ch 14-21) -- American Literature, 1800-1915 (EL 266)
As I was reading I thought that a very interesting quote came in chapter 17. When Hester and Dimmesdale are talking in the woods, Dimmesdale says, "Happy are you, Hester, that wear the scarlet letter openly upon your bosom! Mine burns is secret! Thou little knowest what a relief it is , after the tourment of seven years' cheat, to look into an eye that recognizes me for what I am!" I though that this quote was very interesting for two reasons. One is because we were talking about what was going to be on Dimmesdale chest, and he brings the point out himself when he said that his "burns in secret." Secondly, I thought that it was interesting that he realizes the fact that Hester, although openly criticized for her sin is more comfortable in taking responsibility for what she has done. This makes Dimmesdale jealous that he cannot find that same peace.
Posted by StacyEstatico at 5:38 PM | Comments (3)
September 14, 2005
MIstress Hibbins?
Hawthorne, The Scarlet Letter (Ch 8-13) -- American Literature, 1800-1915 (EL 266)
I thought it was very interesting the way that Hawthorne brought in the character of Mistress Hibbins. It seems a little strange that they are punishing Hester to the point of wanting to take her child away from her, but Mistress Hibbins is clearly into witchcraft and she is not being imprisoned or punished at all.
Another thing that I thought was interesting was when Mistress Hibbins invited Hester to a witches' gathering, and Hester declined becaue of her daughter. In the book Hester says "I must tarry home, and keep watch over my little Pearl. Had they taken her from me, I would willingly have gone with thee into the forest, and signed my name in the Black Man's book too, and that with mine own blood." This quote shows that somewhere inside Hester she still feels attracted to the evil side or taking part in witchcraft activities. However, this quote really shows that no matter how much she is tempted her daughter still means more to her than anything in the world, and she would not want to make another mistake that could chance her losing Pearl.
Posted by StacyEstatico at 8:57 AM | Comments (7)
September 13, 2005
The Scarlet LEtter
Hawthorne, The Scarlet Letter (Ch 1-7) -- American Literature, 1800-1915 (EL 266)
Sample Trackback
Posted by StacyEstatico at 10:38 AM | Comments (0)
September 12, 2005
The Scarlet Letter
I have to say that I agree with what Ashley said about Hester proving herself as a strong and intelligent women with the way that she faces her fears and stays in town even after she is free to leave and start a new life somewhere else.
I also agree with what Jason said about Pearl being branded the demon child. She is innocent in the sense that she did nothing to contribute to what her mother did, however she is still being punished for her mother's sins.
Posted by StacyEstatico at 9:41 PM | Comments (2)
September 11, 2005
Hawthorne Chapters 1-7
I thought the beginning of this story did a very good job in laying the ground work and foundation for the story. I was really interested in chapter 6, which was mostly about Hester's daughter, Pearl. The naming of the infant is based on the fact that it meant, "as being of great price, - purchased with all she had, - her mother's only treasure!" I think that this quote shows, Hester knows that Pearl is a product of a sin that she has committed and that has really cost her however, she still is very grateful for her child and does not hold anything against her. Instead, I think that she really worries about the fact that Pearl will be looked at as having the same sins as her mother, simply because her "place was on that same dishonored bosom."
Posted by StacyEstatico at 7:39 PM | Comments (2)