First off, i would like to express how addicting this book was for me. I am not normally a romance reader nor am i really interested in anything written more than 10 years ago. However, this book after getting through the first few chapters kept me so intertwined with the reading that i could not help but finish it in one sitting. However, i will be rereading the sections for class so i can write better blog posts about each section we read.
Chapter 1 and 2
The First Chapter talks about the prison with a rose bush in front. The rose bush is a huge symbol for the whole book in many ways. It symbolizes hope, beauty even in darkness, and it also foreshadows the future for young Hester Prynne.
As Hester walks out of the prison with her babe in hand the crowd stares and makes comments that are meant to put her down and they mock her for the Scarlet Letter on her wardrobe meaning Adulterer.
These chapters were the most awkward to get through in my opinion. Trying to visualize all of the people watching her and condemning her was literally the most bothersome thing. I am not the type of person to condemn someone for their mistakes but that is mostly because I come from a different time.
Chapter 3 and 4
the first person she spots in the crowd while looking at all of the people, is none other than the man she married, finally come to the new land. He then asks a man from the town what her crime was and he explains that she was married to a learned english man and that she had committed an act of adultery that lead to the baby and she refuses to reveal the identity of the father.
She meets face to face with her husband (Chillingworth) and gives her medicine. She fears that he might be poisoning her but her fear is calmed when she finds that he needs her alive to gain his revenge. He thinks sympathy will lead him to the guilty party.
The twist added into these chapters was the first that held me in to read more. The fact that there is someone plotting revenge.
Chapters 5 and 6
Hester is released from prison after a few months with the option to leave Boston but she chooses to stay behind. She then moves into and abandoned cabin on infertile land. She remains there alienated and serves as a walking example of a fallen woman. Hester is very talented with a needle and makes a living making clothes for people.
Pearl, Hesters daughter, is described as a beautiful flower growing out of sinful soil, named so because she was bought with all hester had and was her mothers only treasure. Pear is also a moody, passionate and defiant little girl and she got all of those traits from her mother.
These chapters set up a relationship between mother and daughter. It shows how alike they are and yet at the same time shows their differences. Pearl is shown as an outcast just as her mother is. She is called an imp of evil and is referred to as a demon child. Pearl having a small obsession with her mothers lettered wardrobe is asked by Hester what she is and she insists on knowing the origin of the letter, showing that she is very bright. Another handle on my mind to finish reading this book. I wanted to see how the mind of this child developed and how she grew.
Cute
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