Analyzing Plot In Nathaniel Hawthorne's Scarlet Letter
Analyzing Plot in The Scarlet Letter
In The Scarlet Letter, Nathaniel Hawthorne outlines the plot of the story through his specific placement of three very significant scenes which take place on the scaffold: Hester's public punishment for committing adultery, the minister's vigil and reunion with Hester and Pearl, and lastly, the revelation of the scarlet letter. The second scaffold scene in Chapter 12 is substantial in that it is the first time that the Reverend Dimmesdale, Hester, and Pearl have all come together and acknowledged their ties to one another. However, the climax of the story does not take place until Chapter 23. Here, Reverend Dimmesdale publicly reveals that he, too, bares the scarlet letter A' (whether literally or symbolically, …show more content…
He chooses phrases such as " inspiration breathed through mortal lips." (167) and " he could not depart heavenward without a sigh" (168). The words "breath" (167) and "sigh" (168) signal to the reader that the Dimmesdale is about to be relieved of something---his internal conflicts. The reader already knows that Dimmesdale feels guilty and remorseful for not taking blame and responsibility for his actions with Pearl. The only way for him to release this guilt would be to admit his faults. Therefore, Hawthorne's choice of diction in this scene signals that Dimmesdale has reached a decision in this matter; feelings of anxiety and intensity are invoked in the reader because of the possible consequences that Dimmesdale could face. Once Dimmesdale finally admits his sins at the scaffold, with Hester and Pearl, Hawthorne's choice of wording reassures the reader that the climax has taken place because it verifies that the scaffold scene is a major turning point. For example, Hawthorne says "'Thou hast escaped me!'" (173) and "A spell was broken." (173). His decision to use the words escape' and "spell broken" (173) indicate that there is no turning back once Dimmesdale has finally admitted to his sins. Hawthorne's uses of diction, with regards to release and escape, both signal to the reader that the climax is coming near, and reassure he/she that the climax has taken
In The Scarlet Letter, Nathaniel Hawthorne outlines the plot of the story through his specific placement of three very significant scenes which take place on the scaffold: Hester's public punishment for committing adultery, the minister's vigil and reunion with Hester and Pearl, and lastly, the revelation of the scarlet letter. The second scaffold scene in Chapter 12 is substantial in that it is the first time that the Reverend Dimmesdale, Hester, and Pearl have all come together and acknowledged their ties to one another. However, the climax of the story does not take place until Chapter 23. Here, Reverend Dimmesdale publicly reveals that he, too, bares the scarlet letter A' (whether literally or symbolically, …show more content…
He chooses phrases such as " inspiration breathed through mortal lips." (167) and " he could not depart heavenward without a sigh" (168). The words "breath" (167) and "sigh" (168) signal to the reader that the Dimmesdale is about to be relieved of something---his internal conflicts. The reader already knows that Dimmesdale feels guilty and remorseful for not taking blame and responsibility for his actions with Pearl. The only way for him to release this guilt would be to admit his faults. Therefore, Hawthorne's choice of diction in this scene signals that Dimmesdale has reached a decision in this matter; feelings of anxiety and intensity are invoked in the reader because of the possible consequences that Dimmesdale could face. Once Dimmesdale finally admits his sins at the scaffold, with Hester and Pearl, Hawthorne's choice of wording reassures the reader that the climax has taken place because it verifies that the scaffold scene is a major turning point. For example, Hawthorne says "'Thou hast escaped me!'" (173) and "A spell was broken." (173). His decision to use the words escape' and "spell broken" (173) indicate that there is no turning back once Dimmesdale has finally admitted to his sins. Hawthorne's uses of diction, with regards to release and escape, both signal to the reader that the climax is coming near, and reassure he/she that the climax has taken