The Scarlet Letter (Scaffold Scenes/ Essay Prep)
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Define penance.
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an act that involves acceptance of punishment for a sin or wrongdoing.
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Define repentance.
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remorse for past conduct or sin.
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Scaffold Scene #1. What does this represent? What are the key plot details of the scene? Define penance. Describe the scene.
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This scene represents Penance and Punishment. Plot Details: - Hester comes from the jail, and, walking to the scaffold, is insulted by people. - Hester is questioned by Reverend Wilson and Minister Dimmesdale. - Hester refuses to give the identity. penance- an act that involves acceptance of punishment for a sin or wrongdoing. Hester's punishment is to wear the letter \"A\" and withstand 3 hours of public shame on the scaffold. The scaffold holds a connection to Hester throughout her life and serves as part of her identity. (First scene is the beginning that holds a connection as Hester's identity.)
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Scaffold Scene #2. What does this represent? What are the key plot details of the scene? Describe this scene.
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This scene represents Hidden Sin. Plot Details: - First, Dimmesdale screams, but is not heard because it is only a whisper. - Reverend Wilson walks by, and Dimmesdale thinks he greets him, but has only imagined it. - Pearl and Hester appear and join Dimmesdale on the scaffold. Pearl asks if Dimmesdale will join them again tomorrow at noontide, but he says no. - Dimmesdale eventually goes back home with Chillingworth instead of confessing, and his condition is only intensified in doing so. Dimmesdale attempts to reveal his sin to others on the scaffold at midnight. It does not happen, and instead, his failure to openly confess highlights his cowardice, which only further exacerbates his emotional burden.
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Scaffold Scene #3. What does this represent? What are the key plot details of the scene? Define repentance. Describe this scene.
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Plot Details: - Dimmesdale goes to the scaffold, and Chillingworth tries to stop him. - Hester and Pearl must provide physical and emotional support. - Dimmesdale confesses and dies. - Chillingworth is has now lost his grasp on Dimmesdale and is completely disconnected from him. repentance- remorse for past conduct or sin. Dimmesdale confesses to his role in Hester's adultery. He confesses on the scaffold where Hester once stood with shame in hopes of receiving eternal peace because of his repentance. This represents Confession and Repentance.
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What is the order in which each of the 3 body paragraphs should be written?
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1. Topic sentence. (1) 2. Plot details. (1- 2) 3. Plot analysis.(1-2)
