As the novel emphasizes the importance of subjective interpretation , we studied segments from last night's reading that illustrate subjective interpretation. First, we noted how society's opinion or interpretation of Roger Chillingworth's character deteriorates almost proportionately to the degree in which Hester Prynne's reputation improves. Likewise, in response to Nina's comments ,we addressed why the author does not explicitly reveal what Roger Chillingworth sees when he lifts Dimmesdale's shirt. Again, we are left with a blank page to be completed with the reader's subjective interpretation. I further read passages that suggested the letter "A" could also represent not just "adulteress or artist" but also perhaps America itself. Last, we explored Dimmesdale's rationalization for his moral hypocrisy.
After reviewing the forms of literary conflicts, Nina addressed how certain characters exemplify certain conflicts such as man vs. society /man vs self. With that introduction , I then on the board outlined how diction ,imagery and symbolism reflect these conflicts. We continued to address the shifting interpretations of the symbol "A" as one character remarks that the emblem must be sign of a great lady. Nina commented on the reflection motif from last night's reading, and I explained the illusion vs reality metaphor within the motif. Nina further identified the characters who appear to be a pillar of rectitude but who are, in reality, hypocrites in the context of the reality vs illusion imagery. Last, we reviewed and discussed the vocabulary homework based on the novel's erudite diction.
We continued to analyze the critical connection between the novel's prologue essay,"The Custom House" and the novel. We noted how the narrator of the prologue is a writer/artist in a stifling environment, just as Hester Prynne is a defiant artist in a stifling Puritan society. Similarly Nina discussed how both the narrator and Hester remain drawn and glued to the location of their sin. I further reviewed the use of certain symbols as animating the conflict between Hester and society. Further, we examined how Pearl herself is a symbol of freedom from harsh societal moral control and rules. In addressing Nina's inquiries as to why Dimmesdale is reluctant to confess his participation in Hester's "sin", we observed Dimmesdale's choices as either punishment by death or a life of moral hypocrisy. I explained the novel raises the question: Which is worse?
During the first segment, we reviewed the various essays Nina prepared for homework and addressed her questions on essay structure. I provided a revised order and structure for her most recent essay on the novel and discussed how to address the role of diction in forming the author's tone. We then studied the role of symbols as they have thus far appeared in the novel. In this regard, I noted how the Romantic genre emphasizes the subjective imagination over the logical or realistic thus accounting for the varying interpretations of symbols throughout the novel. Consequently, as a motif , reflections or images within the novel sometimes offer more significance than items with actual substance.
We examined the historical significance of Puritan culture and the alluded to ouster of Anne Hutchison from the Boston Colony as evidence of Hawthorne's thematic critique of strict punitive moral codes . Studying diction and symbolism ,I then addressed how the author's word choice and imagery reinforces the critical tone. Further, we noted the ornate artistry in the "A" Hester Prynne is condemned to wear and explored the idea of interpretive symbolism as the "A " begins to shed its denotation of shame and perhaps represents the "artist" in society who alone stands against societal self-righteousness.
We analyzed how the novel's introductory essay,"The Custom House" metaphorically explains the process of writing fiction in the Romantic genre .i.e. by imbuing reality with the imaginative faculty. Likewise, this introductory material introduces the ongoing use of symbolic light imagery which I explained. Last, we noted how the passage ties the narrator to the novel's protagonist by addressing how and why the act of expiation must occur where the sin was committed. I discussed Nathaniel Hawthorne's genetic ties to Judge Hathorne of the Salem witch trials and how art is perhaps the author's means of expatiation , a motif that appears in the novel.
