Wed, Jan 2 and Thurs, Jan 3 The Scarlet Letter redux

Missing thematic graphic organizer for The Scarlet Letter: Austin, Sierra, Heidi

Due at the beginning of class today: the rest of The Scarlet Letter responses for chapters 11-24. 

Due Friday, January 4: vocabulary 6

In class: writing assessment of your completed reading.
1. Discuss the evolution of the relationship among Hester, Chillingworth and Dimmesdale, using details that demonstrate you have read the text.
2. What eventually happens to Pearl and Hester?

For Tuesday, January 8 by midnight: our class is participating in the district ROC Read. This is a program that promotes- and rewards- the fundamental building skills of reading and writing; hence you lucked-out, as your reading was only additional, in the sense that you read over the break.  The second part of this project is writing.

 Your assignment: Choose a character from Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter and discuss how one the following themes is paralleled in a public figure from the last 50 years. Your choice of themes is: revenge, women and femininity, compassion and forgiveness, hypocrisy, guilt and blame., justice and judgment or free will.

Details: MLA heading; 450-500 words (that is two typed pages and these must be typed!) Plan accordingly, and see me if you need computer time. I have arranged lab time for Friday in the library, so that you can prepare your outline. or do some research; however, make sure you have an individual in mind, so as not to waste time. At the end of the paper, include the word count. If you don't know how this is done on the computer, I'll show you. You must incorporate a minimum of three textual examples from The Scarlet Letter that support your thematic argument. Since you should know the novel very well- and we'll review some more tomorrow- research an historical, social or political figure that has encountered a similar thematic experience as your chosen character. You will need to spend some time researching this individual.

Organization

 Introduction: start out with a generalized statement about your chosen theme. Follow with your thesis statement, which draws a parallel between chosen character and the individual you chose. Make sure that this is narrow.  Do not say, Kim Kadashian encountered similar problems to Hester Prynne!

body paragraphs: you will have a minimum of three.  What types of choices did these characters have to make? Did they transgress societal standards? Think in terms of historical and environmental setting. Was someone affected? Protected? How did their choices affect their public and private personas?  Think about symbolism. The ones for the figures in the text are quite obvious, but think about how people dress, tattoos, jewelry, one's demeanor.

Conclusiion: I cannot stress enough that a conclusion is NOT a restatement of the introduction, but an opportunity to make an original, insightful observation. What can the reader take away from your having PROVED that the character you chose from The Scarlet Letter has parallel aspects in the figure you chose. This transcends literature to life or perhaps they are the same.

As it says above, this is due by midnight on Tuesday. NO later. Your work is due downtown on Wednesday. I must read them before then.  I will not take any work on Wednesday. As always, you may send me along the work, and I'll take care of the printing. Incidentally, as this is a Roc Read assignment, your name goes downtown and to an administrator, both of whom acknowledge your hard work.

The following is material we will be working with on Thursday.

Part 1: Game time; you are working in plot teams
Part 2: review of symbolism, especially as tied to Romanticism.

Tongue of Flame  chapter 11

 Bloody Scourge  page 132

Stigmata

 Meteor

forest


Rose bush



babbling Brook

scaffold

weeds in a graveyard


devil figure

sunlight

ocean

http://prezi.com/kypueaka7zch/copy-of-symbolism-in-the-scarlet-letter/
SYMBOLISM in The Scarlet Letter
1. The  embroidered, scarlet A.
2.  meteor
3.  Pearl
4. scaffold
5. rosebush
6. brook
7. Gobelins tapestry in Dimmesdale's room
8. weeds in the graveyard
9. ocean
10. devil figure / evil
11. sunlight
and many others. Almost anything in the story can be interpreted as a symbol, as long it brings some importance to the story.
The scarlet letter is the most important symbol in the story. The scarlet letter  "A" on the chest of Hester Prynne is a physical reminder of the sin Hester has committed. At first it was intended to mean "adulterer", but the townspeople gradually interpret it as "able". The people soon realiz the influence of Hester's good qualities. Hester starts to become a symbol of the town, and they tell strangers how Hester helps the poor and sick. Although Hester is no longer looked down upon by the townspeople, she continues to wear the scarlet letter, which serves as a reminder. It also gives a sense of sacredness and security. When Hester removes the scarlet letter in the forest, Pearl seems to be afraid to approach her mother, but once Hester returns it to its original position, Pearl has no hesitation. The scarlet letter's significance is to act as a reminder for the sin Hester had committed. On page 37 ,Chapter 2, it states that "was that SCARLET LETTER..., it had the effect of a spell, taking her out of of the ordinary relations with humanity, and inclosing her in a sphere by herself." This statement obviously points out what the scarlet letter does when it is imposed on someone.

The meteor, which marks out an "A" in dull red light, is a symbol seen by everyone. To Dimmesdale, the meteor is trying to tell him to wear something similar to Hester's scarlet letter. However, to the townspeople, they believe that the letter A stands for Angel. They believe the symbol is to show Governor Winthrop has left this world and has become an Angel. The meteor's significance is that Dimmesdale is eventually motivated to express the truth to the townspeople. The meteor is a small step for Dimmesdale to build up the courage. On page 109, Chapter 12, it states that "For, as our good Governor Winthrop was made an angel this past night,..". This statement proves that the meteor was a signal of Winthrop's journey into heaven.

Pearl is an extremely playful child who is an important symbol in the story. However, she is a complicated symbol since she brings pain and happiness to Hester. Pearl is the result of a sin that was fueled by passion. Her existence is a living proof of Hester's sexual encounter, but Pearl is also a blessing to Hester. Pearl also plays a role where she points out the meteor to Dimmesdale. The significance of Pearl is that because she exists, Hester continues to find renewed motivation to live on. Ironically, the result of Hester's sin is what's keeping her alive. On page 106, Chapter 12, it clearly states that "...and little Pearl, herself a symbol,...". This statement obviously confirms that fact that Pearl is indeed a symbol and since she exists is proof enough of Hester's sin.
These three symbols all represent different aspects of the story. The scarlet letter, which is also the title of the book, is definitely the most important and therefore plays a large role. However, the other symbols all play equally important roles. By analyzing these symbols, it gives a much better understanding of what is happening in the scarlet letter.