Scarlet letter chapters 7 and 8
Riley Duncanson
P.2
10/7/14
RL-4
Prentice Hall
Ch.7-8 Pgs. 76-89
In chapters seven and eight, Mr. Dimmesdale is characterized as a sympathetic and understanding man. Mr. Dimmesdale is first introduced in chapter eight when he walks in to the mansion along with Mr. Wilson, Mr. Chillingworth, and Mr.Bellingworth to decide whether Hester is allowed to keep Pearl. Mr. Dimmesdale is sympathetic because he was the only one who stood up for Hester and gave reasons as to why she should keep her child. He says,” God gave her the child, and gave her, too, an instinctive knowledge of its nature and requirements,-both seemingly so peculiar,-which no other mortal being can possess. And, moreover, is there not a quality of awful sacredness in the relation between this mother and this child?”(P.86) This quote is Mr. Dimmesdale saying that God gave Hester the child for her to learn a lesson and that it would be wrong for them to take it from her because it’s God’s intentions. Mr. Dimmesdale is also understanding and this can be seen when Hester begs him to plead for her. She says,” Thou wast my pastor, and hadst charge of my soul, and knowest me better than theses men can. I will not lose the child! Speak for me!”(P.86) This is Hester characterizing Dimmesdale as an understanding man because he knows her feelings and her true self better than anyone else and can speak for her as a pastor. It further shows that Dimmesdale is understanding when Master Bellingham and Mr. Wilson agree with his reasons when they say,” Indeed hath he, and hath adduced such arguments, that we will even leave the matter as it now stands; so long, at least, as there shall be no further scandal in the woman.”(P.87) Master Bellingham and Mr. Wilson allow Hester to keep the child from Mr. Dimmesdale’s points of reasoning. Because he is so understanding and sympathetic, Hester got to keep Pearl.
P.2
10/7/14
RL-4
Prentice Hall
Ch.7-8 Pgs. 76-89
In chapters seven and eight, Mr. Dimmesdale is characterized as a sympathetic and understanding man. Mr. Dimmesdale is first introduced in chapter eight when he walks in to the mansion along with Mr. Wilson, Mr. Chillingworth, and Mr.Bellingworth to decide whether Hester is allowed to keep Pearl. Mr. Dimmesdale is sympathetic because he was the only one who stood up for Hester and gave reasons as to why she should keep her child. He says,” God gave her the child, and gave her, too, an instinctive knowledge of its nature and requirements,-both seemingly so peculiar,-which no other mortal being can possess. And, moreover, is there not a quality of awful sacredness in the relation between this mother and this child?”(P.86) This quote is Mr. Dimmesdale saying that God gave Hester the child for her to learn a lesson and that it would be wrong for them to take it from her because it’s God’s intentions. Mr. Dimmesdale is also understanding and this can be seen when Hester begs him to plead for her. She says,” Thou wast my pastor, and hadst charge of my soul, and knowest me better than theses men can. I will not lose the child! Speak for me!”(P.86) This is Hester characterizing Dimmesdale as an understanding man because he knows her feelings and her true self better than anyone else and can speak for her as a pastor. It further shows that Dimmesdale is understanding when Master Bellingham and Mr. Wilson agree with his reasons when they say,” Indeed hath he, and hath adduced such arguments, that we will even leave the matter as it now stands; so long, at least, as there shall be no further scandal in the woman.”(P.87) Master Bellingham and Mr. Wilson allow Hester to keep the child from Mr. Dimmesdale’s points of reasoning. Because he is so understanding and sympathetic, Hester got to keep Pearl.