Scaffold Scene In The Scarlet Letter
In the novel The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne a young lady by the name of Hester becomes the focus of the town after committing adultery. Throughout the novel the scaffold scene becomes repeated, making it clear to the reader that it is of great importance. Each scaffold scene foreshadows what will happen later in the novel. With the scaffold scenes, Nathaniel Hawthorne conveys the theme and helps the reader to have a better understanding of the novel.
In chapter five-“The point which drew all eyes’, and, as it were, transfigured the wearer,” was the. “SCARLET LETTER, so fantastically embroidered and illuminated upon her bosom,”- Hester is brought onto the scaffold with her daughter Pearl. All of the leaders stand on the scaffold …show more content…
While the letter has become so familiar to all the people in the town, she is still tortured, “perhaps more than all the rest, with their cool, well-acquainted gaze at her familiar shame.” Like the last scene, Dimmesdale appears on the scaffold and summons Hester and Pearl to join him. It is obvious to the reader that this time is different though, it is in the middle of the day and there are people everywhere. Chillingworth, among the many people in the crowd acts differently as well. In the first two scenes he wishes for Hester to say the name of her lover and for Dimmesdale to admit it. In the third scene he tries to keep others from knowing. He whispers in the ear of his enemy and tells him, “I can yet save you.” He does not give in to the offer and steps further out onto the scaffold and calls for the attention of the people. Dimmesdale assures Hester that he is doing what God wants, and shows a scarlet letter of his own. “By giving me this burning torture to bear upon my breast! By sending yonder dark and terrible old man, to keep the torture always at red-heat! By bringing me hither, to die this death of triumphant ignominy before the people! Had either of these agonies been wanting, I had been lost for ever! Praised be his name! His will be done! Farewell!” Dimmesdale makes a spectacle of himself and while confessing to his sins, acts as if he is a hero in his journey through life and religion. He states that he is “the one sinner in the world.” Obviously not true, this shows that he still thought highly of himself. The scene comes to a conclusion with Dimmesdale leaving Hester and Pearl
In chapter five-“The point which drew all eyes’, and, as it were, transfigured the wearer,” was the. “SCARLET LETTER, so fantastically embroidered and illuminated upon her bosom,”- Hester is brought onto the scaffold with her daughter Pearl. All of the leaders stand on the scaffold …show more content…
While the letter has become so familiar to all the people in the town, she is still tortured, “perhaps more than all the rest, with their cool, well-acquainted gaze at her familiar shame.” Like the last scene, Dimmesdale appears on the scaffold and summons Hester and Pearl to join him. It is obvious to the reader that this time is different though, it is in the middle of the day and there are people everywhere. Chillingworth, among the many people in the crowd acts differently as well. In the first two scenes he wishes for Hester to say the name of her lover and for Dimmesdale to admit it. In the third scene he tries to keep others from knowing. He whispers in the ear of his enemy and tells him, “I can yet save you.” He does not give in to the offer and steps further out onto the scaffold and calls for the attention of the people. Dimmesdale assures Hester that he is doing what God wants, and shows a scarlet letter of his own. “By giving me this burning torture to bear upon my breast! By sending yonder dark and terrible old man, to keep the torture always at red-heat! By bringing me hither, to die this death of triumphant ignominy before the people! Had either of these agonies been wanting, I had been lost for ever! Praised be his name! His will be done! Farewell!” Dimmesdale makes a spectacle of himself and while confessing to his sins, acts as if he is a hero in his journey through life and religion. He states that he is “the one sinner in the world.” Obviously not true, this shows that he still thought highly of himself. The scene comes to a conclusion with Dimmesdale leaving Hester and Pearl