Dialectical Journals #1-10

Dialectical Journal 1 (Page 45)

“But on one side of the portal… was a wild rose-bush… which might be imagined to offer their fragrance and fragile beauty to the prisoner as he went in…”

      In this, Hawthorne is speaking of a rosebush growing by the entrance of a prison. It is a symbol of how, in this strict Puritan society, the only wild and free thing is this rosebush. Its beauty brings comfort to those entering the prison, and is rumored to have been created by Ann Hutchinson as she walked into the Boston Prison.           

Dialectical Journal 2 (Page 50)

 'On the breast of her gown, in fine red cloth, surrounded with an elaborate embroidery and fantastic flourishes of gold thread, appeared the letter A. It was so artistically done.... had all the effect of a last and fitting decoration to the apparel which she wore…was allowed by the sumptuary regulations of the colony.’

      Hester embroidered the “A” in a very intricate way, transforming her punishment into something of her own. Even though the letter has condemned her to solitude, it has changed into a symbol of her abilities.      

Dialectical Journal 3 (Page 57)

 ‘like a man chiefly accustomed to look inward, and to whom … might have passed for calmness.’

      The man who arrives at the market place is deformed with snakelike qualities: evil and menacing. He is deceptive, arriving as a stranger, when in fact he is Hester’s presumed-to-be-dead husband. He is like a snake waiting to strike at his victim.

Dialectical Journal 4 (Page 73)

 ‘Hester Prynne, therefore, did not flee….Hester established herself, with her infant child.

      Hester is alienated and forced to live away from the townspeople, but she doesn’t give up hope or run away from her problems. She accepts what she has done and shows that she is willing to accept the consequences. Her living between the forest and the town represents how her life is just sort of in the middle of nowhere.

Dialectical Journal 5 (Page 76)

 ‘there was nothing that made her feel as if she belonged to it. Every….rest of humankind.’

      Even though the townspeople view Hester as a symbol of sin and evil, they are hypocritical because they admired her sewing talent and use it. She would never belong to a group but is called upon to sew for all, but interesting never a bride. Maybe they felt that it was going to far and would bring the bride bad luck. Even the Governor and minister both wore items made from her. 

Dialectical Journal  6 (Page 77)

‘But sometime, once in many days, or perchance….Had Hester sinned alone?’

      Hester connects with strangers and can briefly see inside their souls and is in this way saint-like. Both side’s sins unite, but the stranger eventually withdraws. This leaves her with the pain from both of them.

Dialectical Journal 7 (Page 79)

‘what interest their imaginations, had a story about the scarlet letter….incredulity may be inclined to admit.”

     Hester’s scarlet letter A seems like it has supernatural powers because it appears to glow red when she walks at night. This concept was referred to earlier when the townspeople saw the letter glowing when Hester was walking back to her cell at the prison. This beautiful letter has a sort of mystical appeal.

Dialectical Journal  8 (Page 85)

‘The spell of life went forth from her ever creative spirit…whom Pearl smote down and uprooted, most unmercifully.’

      Although she is a very young girl, Pear can sense the hostility from the other villagers and their children. She retaliates against the children, her voice sounding like that of a witch using an unknown tongue. She goes home and reenacts the scene, using dark trees to represent grown-ups and the ugly weeds as the children, which she violently rips out of the ground.

Dialectical Journal  9 (Page 81)

 ‘So magnificent was the small figure…picture of her just as perfect.’

Pearls begin their existence as a speck of sand inside an oyster, but end up incredibly beautiful. Pearl’s name symbolizes that although one may be born of a dirty sin, they can still develop into something lovely.

Dialectical Journal 10 (Page 92)

 "The bond-servant, perhaps judging from the decision of her air and the glittering symbol in her bosom, that she was a great lady in the land, offered no opposition."
      The bond-servant sees Hester and Pearl for the first time when they come to the Governor's home. He sees Hester’s A-embroidered clothing, but thinks her a woman of high authority and nobility. Thusly, he lets Hester and her daughter in.