The Scaffold's Power in The Scarlet Letter is demonstrated through recurring events that hold great significance and reveal the truth. Nathaniel Hawthorne strategically uses scaffold scenes to highlight both differences and similarities. Each scene foreshadows the next and contributes to a deeper understanding of the novel. Starting with the initial scene, where Hester and Pearl are brought to stand on the scaffold, the scarlet letter is exposed to the public eye. Reverend Dimmesdale, Pearl's father, stands alongside them on a platform of equal height, while Hester's long-lost husband, Roger Chillingworth, observes from below. As Hester endures her punishment, Dimmesdale is urged to coax a confession from her. The power of his plea makes it seem as though Hester will indeed reveal the guilty party's name. This pivotal moment sets
...the stage for subsequent scenes. Years later, a similar event takes place, offering insight into Dimmesdale's torment. Once again, the anguished reverend ascends the platform and desperately calls out into the night, seeking absolution for his sins a second time.He then sees Hester and Pearl coming down the street from the governor's house. As before, they are asked to go up on the scaffold and be with the minister. At this time Pearl questions the minister if he will do this at noontide and he answers no. He once again is too much of a coward to confess out in the open. The similarities continue with a revelation of another scarlet letter. Up in the sky, a scarlet "A" shines forth. Roger Chillingworth arrives and tells the minister to get down from the scaffold. Chillingworth pleads for this so that he can still torment the reverend
As the two men leave, the scene ends and leaves us with additional information. It foreshadows a bigger and more powerful scaffold scene. The last scaffold scene is the most important and greatest event in the novel. It starts with the end of Dimmesdale's great election speech. When he is finished, he grows weak and limps towards the scaffold. He can no longer bear the burden of his sins. He again asks Hester and Pearl to join him. Chillingworth begs the minister not to do this, but the reverend thanks God for leading him to a place where he could escape from the leech. Helped by Hester and Pearl, he climbs the scaffold and confesses. One last time a new scarlet letter is supposedly revealed on his chest. This voluntary confession makes this time unique.
As the scene ends, Dimmesdale once again departs from Hester and Pearl. However, this time, it is a permanent departure, transcending into the afterlife. These three significant events in the novel hold immense importance.
The first event symbolizes love. Hester's love is so strong that she refuses to subject Dimmesdale to the same suffering she endures.
The second scaffold scene represents cowardice. Despite his immense suffering, the reverend chooses not to alleviate it through confession.
The concluding event symbolizes bravery. Despite not being obligated to confess, Dimmesdale chooses to do so.
The recurring event of the Scarlet Letter carries great potency. It brings forth new dimensions and meanings to the story that are integral to its profound impact. Truth prevails over deception.
- Allegory essays
- Alliteration essays
- Comedy essays
- Comic book essays
- Drama essays
- Dystopia essays
- Fairy Tale essays
- Fantasy essays
- Fiction essays
- Ghost essays
- Gothic Fiction essays
- Gothic Literature essays
- Irony essays
- Legend essays
- Memoir essays
- Novel essays
- Poetry essays
- Satire essays
- Science Fiction essays
- Short Story essays
- The western essays
- Tragedy essays
- Witchcraft essays
- Actions essays
- Biography essays
- Helping Others essays
- Leader essays
- Mission essays
- Power essays
- Purpose essays
- Superhero essays
- 1984 essays
- A Farewell to Arms essays
- A Good Man Is Hard to Find essays
- A Hanging essays
- A Lesson Before Dying essays
- A Long Way Gone essays
- A Rose For Emily essays
- A Separate Peace essays
- A Tale Of Two Cities essays
- A Very Old Man With Enormous Wings essays
- Adventures Of Huckleberry Finn essays
- Alice in Wonderland essays
- All Quiet on The Western Front essays
- Allegory of the Cave essays
- An occurrence at owl creek bridge essays
- Animal Farm essays
- Anthem essays
- Antigone essays
- Arthur Conan Doyle essays
