"'Drink, then,' replied he, still with the same cold composure.'Dost thou know me so little, Hester Prynne? Are my purposes wont be so shallow? Even if I imagine a scheme of vengeance, what could I do better for my object than to let thee live,-than to give thee medicines against all harm and peril of life,-so that this burning shame may still blaze upon thy bosom?'" (68)
I think this quote is significant because Hester couldn't bring herself to commit suicide within the time after she was impregnanted, she have kept it to herself knowing that she was going to be discovered and probably have some hard consequences of her actions. The use of dashes within the quote, show the "could have but couldnt do it" a regret somehow. But it shows a satisfaction that if Chillingworth could do the job for her it will be worth it and a thank you to him. But Chillingworth defends himself to show that she thinks so little of him. He does not want her to die but to live, he is not a person that will hold a grudge against her because of her actions.
Hawthorne lists questions within Chillingworth's dialogue so that Hester and also the reader can trust him that he is not out for vengeance against her but to help her. To give her company that she does not have to feel left out of society, an outcast. Also to pity Hester, to feel sympathy that she has to face this trial alone without the responsible at her side also.
Questions:
- Why would Hester be so stubborn and determine to keep the secret of her child's father from the Purtian society?
- Why did Hester look deeply into the eyes of Reverend Mr. Dimmesdale, while she denied and kept the secret of her child's father within her? (64)
- Why is Chillingworth so determined into finding Hester's "lover", however he did denied that it was not for revenge, but for what?
#2 Dimmesdale take a long respiration because he knows Hester, “looking down steadfast into her eyes.” When Mr. Wilson asked Hester to say who the other sinner was, she “looking, not at Mr. Wilson, but into the deep and troubled eyes of the younger clergyman” said that she will not speak. Hester is giving signs that she knows Dimmesdale, and Dimmesdale is quite nervous, don’t you think? He is the only one from the “questioners”( I don’t know what they are) that comes with sympathy and accepts that she will not speak of the father of her child. Therefore, I think Dimmesdale has something to do with this “sin”.
ReplyDeletemmmmm i answered the "same" question for Valentina. maybe this will help.
#3 Chillingworth is determined to find Hesters "lover" because he is her husband! I dont know what you mean that he is not seeking for revenge. I think that he is because toward the end of the novel Chillingworth gives her a creepy smile and tells her that he will find out who this man is.(probably even kill him since Chillingworth is referred to as the devil)
Response for #2
ReplyDeleteEvery word, phrase, sentence, and paragraph in a story are related to the story itself so it's possible that Hester looked into the eyes of Reverend Dimmesdale because maybe he knows the identity of the father of the newborn or maybe because he is attempting to get the name of her lover out of her mouth and she resents him for that.
Response for #3
For lack of a better term, screw that man and his lies. Chillingworth is definitely on a search for Hester's lover, but he is out on a course of revenge no matter what he says; it's implied in his mannerism, dialogue, and movements. What other purpose would it serve him to find the fellow? Pretty sure he wouldn't help him out, though that would be considered vengeance against Hester even though he stated he wasn't out to get revenge on her.
In response to your first question, Hester Prynne would want to keep secret the name of the man who fathered her daughter for many different possible reasons: she could have been forced to keep it a secret by the man himself, just as in page 71 when she is swearing the oath for Roger Chillingsworth that she will not tell anyone that he was her husband, she says, "I will keep thy secret, as I have his..." Who is this "his" person? I am definitely sure that it is not Chillingsworth; therefore,she is telling Chillingworth that she has kept a secret for the man and she will keep his as well. Prynne could've kept the name of the man a secret because she says that she will take in the humiliation for the both of them, and she might also have done it so that her daughter would not be humiliated as a bastard child and an offspring of an adulterous relationship.
ReplyDeleteIn response to your third question, I believe that Chillingsworth is doing it for revenge. What you mean is that what did he say to reassure her. Chillingsworth is being sarcastic on page 70 when he says, "Let him live! Let him hide himself in outward honor..." and even though he is reassuring Hester that he wont do anything to the man, he really is going to.
Ladies: I'm having fun reading your thoughts;keep up the thoughtful (and fervent!Linda) ideas...
ReplyDelete#1 Hester would want to keep the name of her father's child because she doesn't want to tell the people that the child father is Dimmesdale.(This is just my hypothesis, though unsure)If she reveals who the father then there wouldn't be a story. Also, she wants to protect the father of the baby, she doesn't want to ruin his life.
ReplyDelete#3 Chillingsworth want to find out who Hester "lover" because he wants to take revenge on her lover, as stated "Neither do thou imagine that i shall contrive aught against his life; no,nor against his fame, if, as i judge, he be a man of fair repute. Lt him live!Let him hide himself in outward honor, if he may! Not the less he shall be mine!" (pg.70-71). Chillingsworth is trying to make it sound as if its not for revenge but behind those words there is range and revenge.
(Yanel I agree with you, I was not copying you!)