The Scarlet Latter

Christine Dauz
Honors English 9-3
Due:22 October 2007
The Scarlet Letter Journal

Pages 143-153
“But with what a wild look of wonder, joy, and horror! With what a ghastly rapture, as it were, too mighty to be expressed only by the eye and features… Page 143.”
I think that Mr. Dimmesdale is surprised by the way Roger Chillingworth is acting in front of him. Maybe he thinks Roger will do something bad to him because he is flailing his arms around and stomping on the ground like that. Or then again he can think that Roger is completely crazy. But I think he is just surprised by Rogers out burst during their appointment.
“ The saint on earth! Alas, if discern such sinfulness in his own white soul, what horrid spectacle would he behold on thine or mine! Page 149.”
There could be a saint on earth but then again there are people that can act saint-like. I think comparing themselves to this person their talking about is not cool. Because apparently he isn’t like the person he id describing so what the whole point of comparing themselves to each other. They are both completely different people.

Pages 154-164
“ Ye have both been here before, but I was not with you. Come up hither once again, and we will stand all three together! Page 158.”
Reverend Mr. Dimmesdale seems very happy that both Hester and pearl are with him. I think that he likes Hester. He seems all happy around her and Pearl. And apparently he wasn’t to hold hands with her. Or he can just be very fond of them. But I think he totally likes Hester it seems obvious.
“And what other time? Persisted the child. At the great judgment day, whispered the minister, … Page 159”
I think that judgment day is going to be a pretty big day for Hester Pearl and the Reverend. I think the Reverend is going to confess something that he has been holding inside. I’m not quiet sure what it is yet but its something that he has been holding in for a long time I think. So just based on this sentence it makes me what to read more about what’s going to happen on judgment day.
“ There was witchcraft in little Pearl’s eyes, and her face, as she glanced upward at the minister, wore that naughty smile which made its expression frequently so elfish, Page 160.”
The way they describe Pearl looking at the minister sort of scares me. It gives me a weird feeling. It reminds me of an evil creature wanting to cause mischief on other people’s life. I just think its really weird the way she is looking at him I wonder why she’s looking at him that way though. Maybe she knows something at the moment that he doesn’t .

Pages 165-175
“ if there were resolute to accost her, she laid her finger on the scarlet letter and passed on, Page 168”
Hester seems to be regretting something when she touches the letter. I think every time she touches it and think it means that she is regretting something. Right now she’s regretting ever committing what she did because no one talks to her now. And it seems like she has no friends in the town. All the town people to is talk about her.
“ She who has once been woman, and ceased to be so, might at any moment become a woman again if there were only the magic tough to effect the transfiguration, Page 170”.
I think right here its saying, that if someone committed something bad right now that they would forget about what Hester did. This tells me that someone sooner or later will be committing a crime. One that is bigger then what Hester did. And once that happens everyone will forget what Hester did, and start talking to her again. And she will be happy again.

Pages 176-186
“A woman must needs follow her own fancy, touching the adornment of her person. Then letter is gaily embroidered, and shows right bravely on her bosom! Page 176. ”
I think that right her its showing that Hester can become part of the town again and that people can forget about what she did. And I think that it is cool that some people think that she is brave for wearing the scarlet letter. Even though she has been wearing it for awhile and that no one noticed it was cool for her to wear it. Plus the way she wears it happily like it doesn’t really affect her.
“It was myself! Cried Hester, shuddering. It was I, not less than he. Why hast thou not avenged me, I can do no more! Page 180.”
Its pretty mean how Roger Chillingwoth is coming at Hester that way. Its rude too. She feels bad enough for doing what she did. Roger is just making it worse for her. And bringing her down doesn’t help the fact that she committed a sin. He is just taking it over board with the whole cheating thing.

Pages 187-197
“ In the little chaos of Peal’s character there might be seen emerging-and could have been, from the very first- the steadfast principles of an unflinching courage,-an uncontrollable will… page 187.”
The way they describe Pearl is good I think. It works for her. She is a very strong character in the story. And since she is full of courage she can stand up for her mom, when everyone else is putting her down. She is sort of a shield for her mother in her times of bad. I think Hester Benefits from that a lot.
“Once in my life I met the Black Man! Said her mother. This scarlet letter is his mark! Page 193-194.”
Who id the Black Man? I don’t get him character. At first I thought it was the reaper because of the whole signing in blood thing. But I have no clue who he is now. It could be someone from the council. But I’m not really sure. I want to know who the “Black Man” is though.

Pages 198-208
“They now felt themselves, at least, inhabitants of the same sphere, page 198”
I think right her Hester and Mr. Dimmesdale are happy. Because they couldn’t be seen together like that before. And now its like a totally different story with them. Except that they are in a graveyard. But I think they would be happy together right now.
“Happy are you, Hester, that wear the scarlet letter openly upon your bosom! Mine burns in secret! Page 200”
I think the man is saying that Hester is luckier then he is. I think that because it sounds like he’s saying he has probably done more worse things that she has done. And that he should be wearing a letter out in the open like her. So I guess she is on the luckier side. Compared to others who have hide their sins. Hers are put out there not hiding.