After completing the first twelve chapters of The Scarlet Letter, I can confidently say that it is an immense departure from what I expected. Before our class began to read the novel, several of my friends expressed sharply negative criticism of the work as a whole. Despite their critiques, I approached the book with an open mind, and was left with a lukewarm impression.
First and foremost, under the surface of Hawthorne’s dense storytelling is an engaging, progressive, and powerful plotline. Of any aspect of the novel, the insightful narrative about sin, guilt, accountability, and sexuality stands out as the true manifestation of Hawthorne’s brilliance. This tale assumes its universal applicability by virtue of Hawthorne’s insight into the true nature of humanity. Of this chapter set, I was particularly impressed when Dimmesdale remarks on the nature of hidden guilt, “So, to their own unutterable torment, they go about among their fellow-creatures, looking pure as new-fallen snow, while their hearts are all speckled and spotted with iniquity of which they cannot rid themselves” (Hawthorne 120-1). This image beautifully captures the aimlessness of shame and false concepts of purity, flaws endemic to both the Puritan settlement and, in a different way, modern society. Such messages are enhanced by Hawthorne’s prose, which, when not excessively dense, is strikingly beautiful. In this way, Hawthorne’s narrative serves as a potent vehicle for societal criticism and is representative of a deeper understanding of human nature as a whole.
Unfortunately, I was left disappointed by how Hawthorne presented his masterfully crafted plotline. Hawthorne has inserted himself and his interpretations into his otherwise plot-driven novel. In this way, his narratorial presence alienates the reader, constantly switching between the plotline itself and Hawthorne’s pontifications on his characters and humanity. Though somewhat of an extended simile, it feels as though Hawthorne is insisting on supervising one’s progress through the novel by virtue of his narratorial presence. I found his remarks to be repetitive, descriptively excessive, and in many cases, purely unnecessary and detrimental to open-interpretation of the novel. For me, this makes the story seem substantially more inaccessible, hidden behind a wall of philosophical tangents and direct thematic explanations in the external narration. Fortunately, the storyline and well-crafted characters have helped to drive the story forward despite these narrational qualities.
In class, I plan to discuss the emergence of Chillingworth's and Dimmesdale’s social relationship. In these chapters, we begin to see the public eye turn against Chillingworth with doubt arising as to his true nature. As Chillingworth begins to devote his life and profession to confirming his suspicions about Dimmesdale’s adultery, Hawthorn explains, “he now dug into the poor clergyman's heart, like a miner searching for gold; or, rather, like a sexton delving into a grave, possibly in quest of a jewel that had been buried on the dead man's bosom, but likely to find nothing save mortality and corruption. Alas, for his own soul, if these were what he sought!” (Hawthorne 117). This analysis presents Chillingworth’s insatiable desire to find the man that wronged him in a different light; he is not satisfied with suspicion and instead needs to prove that Dimmesdale is Pearl’s father. I envision no good will come of this aimless pursuit, as Chillingworth is almost certain to find “nothing save mortality and corruption”, and Dimmesdale is growing increasingly fragile as he wastes away from guilt. Chillingworth’s nature shifts from beneficent to plotting and menacing, leading some to associate him with the devil, coming to force Dimmesdale to face his sins. This metaphor also extends back to Hester Prynne and Chillingworth’s interview, establishing their agreement as a proverbial deal with the devil.
Additionally, Pearl emerges as a peculiar character with seemingly supernatural inclinations throughout these chapters. One striking example is when she sees Dimmesdale in the window while playing with her mother, calling out, “Come away, mother! Come away, or yonder old black man will catch you! He hath got hold of the minister already. Come away, mother or he will catch you! But he cannot catch little Pearl!” (Hawthorne 122). Pearl’s comments seem to fit the hidden aspects of the situations she encounters shockingly well. In this particular case, Pearl’s comment coincides with Dimmesdale talking to Chillingworth, further substantiating some sort of association between Chillingworth and the black man, or devil. In the same way, Pearl’s mischievous behavior leads those in the settlement to worry that she may be a demon child, or otherwise corrupted by her mother. In this way, it seems as though Pearl possesses either supernatural insight or some sort of spiritual connection to the scandal into which she was born. It remains to be seen whether Pearl is simply a normal child born under harsh circumstances or, as the narrator proposes, an infant “whose mission was to punish the sins of the rising generation” (Hawthorne 93).
Throughout the first half of the book, I was constantly reminded of the recent government spying scandal, in which the national surveillance and information collection programs were revealed. These surveillance programs pushed, and in many cases crossed, the bounds of legally-permitted spying, and were kept entirely hidden from the public eye. In an extremely controversial release of information, a government contractor named Edward Snowden leaked confidential government documents exposing the program. This event shattered the faith many Americans held for their government and its anti-terrorism programs, demonstrating the extent to which the Patriot Act had been stretched behind closed doors. Many citizens specifically objected to the fact that the government acted in violation of its own laws, principles, and promises, reacting with protests across the nation and internet. Similarly, Dimmesdale, a prominent leader, role model, and pastor, has secretly violated the laws of the Massachusetts Bay Colony through his adulterous actions. Should this be exposed, the pilgrims’ faith in their settlement, government, and church would be greatly shaken. In this way, Chillingworth possesses extreme power; like Snowden, he is faced with the opportunity to expose the scandal for what it is, but he risks destroying the colony’s religious, political, and social stability, simply to achieve his idea of justice.
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| A group of citizens protesting surveillance in response to information leaked by Edward Snowden |
More information is available regarding Edward Snowden and the government surveillance program here:
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