Olivia took a test on the first 12 chapters of the novel during the entire session. For homework due Monday, Olivia is finishing the essay portion of the test. I further assigned for Monday reading chapters 14-16, and defining the vocabulary words for chapters 9-13.
One of the most interesting aspects of "The Scarlet Letter" remains the feminist attitude of the author as expressed through Hester Prynne. Today ,we analyzed a specific portion of the novel wherein Hester calls for the destruction a male dominated society and an end to gender roles. We discussed how revolutionary these ideas were in 1850, and ,of course, even more so when the novel takes place in the 1640s! I mentioned the likely influence of the transcendentalist ,Margaret Fuller, whom Hawthorne knew. We also discussed the changing interpretations Puritan society places on the scarlet "A" worn by Hester. Olivia did a good job recognizing the causes of these changes,and raised good examples in modern history of symbols whose significance has changed . We then reviewed some of Olivia's SAT grammar prep homework. I explained the test's tendency to test the proper use of transitional phrases such as "however, but, even though, moreover," and the proper or best usage of each . We then corrected some of Olivia's responses to reflect proper usage and punctuation as tested by the ACT and SAT. Tomorrow, we are having a test on Chapters 1 -12 of the novel.
We focused on the novel's theme of public dissemblance and private shame, and Dimmesdale's loss of identity consequent to his false public persona. Next, I noted the use of light imagery to denote truth. Olivia did a good job identifying the sensory imagery and tying the author's use of imagery to the theme of hiding the truth about oneself. We looked at the symbolic significance of the black glove Dimmesdale inadvertently leaves on the scaffold and tied the symbol into into the imagery of light and darkness. Olivia expanded on this idea noting the Puritans' black wardrobe. Last, we examined the significance of the letter "A" formed by a meteor in the sky and discussed how Hawthorne again stretches the letter's symbolic meaning by suggesting people who saw the image suggested the "A" stood for "angel". For homework,I assigned reading the next chapter. I have rescheduled the test we were to have last week to this Thursday.
Olivia's essay on the Scarlet Letter was an impressive first draft which we reviewed and discussed today . I pointed out ways to improve some organizational aspects,to improve some sentences , and to correct any grammatical errors. We then discussed the rising conflict between Dimmesdale and Chillingworth, and noted how the author subtly condemns Dimmesdale's refusal to publicly confess his role as the father of Pearl . In our class discussion, Olivia reviewed certain textual similarities in the author's description of Hester and Dimmesdale both achieving an almost mystical ability to see the hidden sins in others and to feel empathy and a new found connection to mankind as a result of their shared sin. For homework due Monday I assigned rewriting the essay to address the areas we reviewed in class, and two very short ACT preparation exercises on identifying and correcting sentence run-ons and fragments. There will a test on Thursday.
Olivia handed in her essay as well as a homework assignment analyzing the intellectual debate between Dimmesdale and Chillingworth on the sanctity of public confession in front of society vs. a "private" confession before God on the Day of Judgment. Olivia participated in class discussion noting Dimmesdale's reliance on rationalization to excuse his cowardice and his decision not to publicly disclose his role in Hester's so-called "sin". We also defined and discussed the three types of irony: verbal, situational ,and dramatic. During the second half of the session, Olivia completed grammar exercises on subject-verb agreement(focusing on collective nouns as subjects),and pronoun -antecedent agreement as she needed some additional reinforcement in these areas in connection with her ACT preparation. I provided additional instruction in these areas and Olivia did noticeably better as we proceeded. For homework,I assigned reading pages 78-89 in the novel. There will be a test on the Scarlet Letter next week. I will schedule the test date with Olivia on a day that works best for her given her other classes.
