Thursday, March 18, 2010
Emerson not a Transcendentalist? (Research)
For months, I have labeled Ralph Waldo Emerson as one of the fathers of the transcendentalist movement. However, I have just recently read an article called "Emerson's Transcendentalism" by Regis Michaud, that totally refutes this. Michaud boldly claims that Emerson is not a true tanscendentalist because he had no system, and was more a philosopher than a poet. He also relates the origin of transcendentalism to Channing, and not Emerson. I feel that this article is invalid because of its lack of adequate examples. However, it did raise questions in my mind that could heavily influence my paper, such as, Who is the originator of transcendentalism?
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Test Continuation Blog (Andre Turnquest)
14. Pearl Prynne- Pearl is a mischievous young child, that is wise beyond her years. Throughout the story, Pearl is rebellious to authority and comprehends situations in ways that others do not. For example, Pearl is able to detect the relationship between Hester and Dimmesdale before the community does. Pearl is viewed as unhuman by the community, they go as far as saying that her unknown father is the devil. Pearl struggles with authority throughout the book. I think this is due to her lack of a father, and this is why she refuses to kiss Dimmesdale when they are in the forest.
15. Yes, the book definitely qualifies as an allegory. Nathanial Hawthorne uses 'The Scarlet Letter' to portray many religious ideas and views he possessed. He uses Arthur Dimmesdale to illustrate the flaws of puritanical society. Dimmesdale is a highly respected priest in the faith, and even he commits sin; proving that the human race can never be perfect. Hawthorne also uses Pearl as an allegory to Christianity. Pearl is referred to as "a pearl of great price," which is seen in the Bible as a reference to Jesus.
16. Penance is punishment for your sins, and penitence is feeling sorrow for your sins. When Arthur Dimmesdale says, "I have had plenty of penance but no penitence," he means that he has punished himself relentlessly for his sin. However, he has had to hide his feelings and keep them concealed. This is why he went to Hester in the forest and outpoured his emotion and threatened to kill himself.
17. When Hester Prynne returned to Boston, people stared at her in awe and some even revered her presence. Hester continued to wear the "A" on her chest; she lived in the same cottage and occasionally received mail from Pearl. I think Hester did find penitence because the townspeople eventually forgave her for her severe sin.
18. Pearl's kiss to Dimmesdale on the scaffold is notably significant. Throughout the book, Pearl refuses to love or accept Dimmesdale into her life. Meanwhile, Dimmesdale's mind conscience is being tormented by the thought of his adultery and child. Arthur Dimmesdale outpoured his emotions and confessed his sin to society on the scaffold, and he died shortly after Pearl kissed him. This is symbolic because it shows readers that Dimmesdale had been relieved of all of his worldly worries; he confessed to society, and he was accepted by his daughter.
19. Explanations have been earlier stated:
Enlightenment- Chillingsworth
Transcendentalism- Hester Prynne
Romanticism- Arthur Dimmesdale
Puritanism- Arthur Dimmesdale
20. One of the most important symbols in "the Scarlet Letter" is Pearl. Pearl is conveyed as a consequence of sexual sin, and a reminder of the dreaded scarlet letter. However, Hawthorne also uses Pearl to represent a blessing (the opposite of sin). The name "Pearl," conveys a thought of great value and Pearl is literally Hester's reason to live, being her only 'treasure.'
21. I can prove that Hawthorne is fascinated with the metaphysical by his use of scenery. He places Hester and Dimmesdale in a mystical forest to reunite for the last time. This proves that he is amazed with things that cannot be proved or disproved by science.
22. The central theme of the book has to be sin. Hawthorne uses sin as a focal point for everything that occurs in the book. He uses Hester and Dimmesdale to show different ways sin can affect a person. Hester's sin is acknowledged by society and is shunned, and Dimmesdale's sin is hidden but it torments him inside. Hawthorne also uses sin as a good thing in Pearl. She is a blessing to Hester although she became as a result of sin.
15. Yes, the book definitely qualifies as an allegory. Nathanial Hawthorne uses 'The Scarlet Letter' to portray many religious ideas and views he possessed. He uses Arthur Dimmesdale to illustrate the flaws of puritanical society. Dimmesdale is a highly respected priest in the faith, and even he commits sin; proving that the human race can never be perfect. Hawthorne also uses Pearl as an allegory to Christianity. Pearl is referred to as "a pearl of great price," which is seen in the Bible as a reference to Jesus.
16. Penance is punishment for your sins, and penitence is feeling sorrow for your sins. When Arthur Dimmesdale says, "I have had plenty of penance but no penitence," he means that he has punished himself relentlessly for his sin. However, he has had to hide his feelings and keep them concealed. This is why he went to Hester in the forest and outpoured his emotion and threatened to kill himself.
17. When Hester Prynne returned to Boston, people stared at her in awe and some even revered her presence. Hester continued to wear the "A" on her chest; she lived in the same cottage and occasionally received mail from Pearl. I think Hester did find penitence because the townspeople eventually forgave her for her severe sin.
18. Pearl's kiss to Dimmesdale on the scaffold is notably significant. Throughout the book, Pearl refuses to love or accept Dimmesdale into her life. Meanwhile, Dimmesdale's mind conscience is being tormented by the thought of his adultery and child. Arthur Dimmesdale outpoured his emotions and confessed his sin to society on the scaffold, and he died shortly after Pearl kissed him. This is symbolic because it shows readers that Dimmesdale had been relieved of all of his worldly worries; he confessed to society, and he was accepted by his daughter.
19. Explanations have been earlier stated:
Enlightenment- Chillingsworth
Transcendentalism- Hester Prynne
Romanticism- Arthur Dimmesdale
Puritanism- Arthur Dimmesdale
20. One of the most important symbols in "the Scarlet Letter" is Pearl. Pearl is conveyed as a consequence of sexual sin, and a reminder of the dreaded scarlet letter. However, Hawthorne also uses Pearl to represent a blessing (the opposite of sin). The name "Pearl," conveys a thought of great value and Pearl is literally Hester's reason to live, being her only 'treasure.'
21. I can prove that Hawthorne is fascinated with the metaphysical by his use of scenery. He places Hester and Dimmesdale in a mystical forest to reunite for the last time. This proves that he is amazed with things that cannot be proved or disproved by science.
22. The central theme of the book has to be sin. Hawthorne uses sin as a focal point for everything that occurs in the book. He uses Hester and Dimmesdale to show different ways sin can affect a person. Hester's sin is acknowledged by society and is shunned, and Dimmesdale's sin is hidden but it torments him inside. Hawthorne also uses sin as a good thing in Pearl. She is a blessing to Hester although she became as a result of sin.
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