Hawthorne, The Scarlet Letter (Ch 14-21) -- American Literature, 1800-1915 (EL 266)
Ah, finally, it’s getting good.
After pages and pages of Hawthorne’s lengthy and elaborate descriptions, we finally have an interesting and thickening plot. Dimmesdale becomes a changed man after his (rather passionate) meeting with Hester in the forest. “The minister’s own will, and Hester’s will, and the fate that grew between them, had wrought this transformation. It was the same town as heretofore; but the same minister returned not from the forest.” Hester invokes something in Dimmesdale that causes him to “come alive” again. He is filled with his love for Hester and joy that soon he will be able to escape New England and start anew in Europe. Hawthorne finally gives Dimmesdale some dimension, some personality, to his rather boring character. We finally see a side of him that makes Dimmesdale a bit more human. He has emotions and feelings, wants and desires, just as any other man. However, these were hidden under his dowdy demeanor throughout most of the book.
I absolutely agree Vanessa. The element of Dimmesdale's human side has finally revealed itself, instead of being a minister. I don't necessarily think that he was boring, but I think that his character wasn't as complex in the early stages of the book. It seems to me that he becomes the main character in the book (it's not Hester anymore).
One thing to consider is his sermon was also the best he's ever given, and I think it's because he is speaking to the people as a person, instead of a minister. Not to mention, he focuses on "the wilderness" or the element of sinning. The people end up loving the sermon, calling it his best.
good point. dimmesdale was a pretty flat and boring character up until this point. it's kind of relieving to see such a boring, deadpan, sickly character finally come to life! i think that hester is his spark. she brings out the best in him, the life in him, even if it does mean that he committed adultery. she brings a life to him that no one else sees. that seems to be a pretty special connection, right?
Posted by: LaurenEtling at September 19, 2005 03:05 PMI think this is a valid point to make of Dimmesdale. Maybe Dimmesdale has always been sort of "dead" to the world until he met Hester. Its possible that the reason he committed adultery in the first place was because he needed some spice in his life and Hester did something to him that no one else has.
Posted by: Ashley Holtzer at September 19, 2005 03:30 PMyes this is an interesting scene and Dimmesdale does become a deeper, more human character. But it seems to be that there is something about Hester that makes him sin or be tempted. He committed adultry with her...that's one thing....and now after he emerges from the forest he is tempted by three things right off the bat. Somehow he holds himself back and is pround that he does, but there is an overwhelming urge to sin.
Posted by: michelle koss at September 19, 2005 04:34 PMMichelle- it's almost like he says, "Hey, I'm leaving soon. I can mess things up all I want beforehand because...I'll be gone!" But should he even have the desire to sin at all, being a minister? It is human nature to sin and perhaps even a human desire to want to sin. Haven't we all wanted to do something we know we shouldn't at some time?
Posted by: Nessa at September 19, 2005 04:50 PMI agree. I think that it is about time that Dimmesdale starts to wake up. I think he just needed something that Hester gave to him to get him going.
Posted by: StacyEstatico at September 19, 2005 05:49 PM