At the end of the novel, I still want to know/things I am frustrated by/things I was surprised by (or anything else you want to comment on in regards to the novel!). . . . .
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In chapter 23 I am annoyed with the fact that Dimmesdale never actually told the crowd that he was the father of Pearl. He kind of went around it before he died. He showed his thing on his chest, but in chapter 24 people were wondering what it was and what it stood for. He could have stated all of it rather than leaving some of it out and making the people still wonder what it was that he was trying to say. I think they figured it out, but he could have told them for sure that he was the father of Pearl because they appeared confused. Also, I don't know if I like how Hawthorne leaves us hanging to the idea of where Pearl is and what happened to her. It seems that we got to know her so well, and then she is just gone and it's over! I do like how the ending talks about Hester and Dimmesdales grave together and what it says on their tombstone. I also like how near the end of the story, people were coming to Hester for help and guidence. I do not really understand why Hester is still wearing the A, because I thought that she was allowed to take it off. I do think it is cool that people looked at her reverently rather than shamefully in the later chapters. She really beheld much good out of a sad situation.
I kind of feel that Dimmesdale is somwhat of a coward. if your gunna do something do it right and all the way. he didnt really do that. i do think the crowd got his point but he still should have put an end to all of their ideas and possible confusion of what he said. i still really want to know how Chillingworth found out about the whole running away on the boat thing but whatever. i was also rather upset that we only found out about Hester. i do understand that the story was about her but i would like to know a little more about good ole pearl. she was such a nice kind little girl. it was really cool that she finally kissed dimmesdale by the way. i think that we need to find out about pearl why do writers do that? and also what was the reasoning behind dimmesdale's death. ya but this was a decent book even if it was fiction. i liked it and along with mandie it was cool that people like hester now. and i totally understand her still wearing the letter because then she is still feeling remorse for her mistake. she is such a strong person
Hehehehe...I don't care how it ended, I'm just glad that it's over! Yeah, like Brock said, it would be nice to know how Chillingworth found out about their plan. And like Mandie said, it's rather annoying that people still don't understand what Dimmesdale was talking about with his sin. I thought he made it rather obvious, but I guess there has to be some idiots in the world. Whatever. I thought it was cool how Pearl finally stopped being a demon and got to live happily in Europe. It's sad that Hester still wore the scarlet letter, though it is nice, like Mandie siad, that people changed their minds about her and how women started comming to her for advise. It's also nice that Chillingworth seemed to have a change of heart before he died, accepting Pearl like that and setting her for life. I'd call that a happy ending...
I did not like the fact that, although everything is explained to the reader, almost nothing is explained to Dimmesdale's audience. Other than that, I have few complaints about the content of the ending, although I won't go into if I enjoyed the story at all (which I generally didn't). I found it interesting that Pearl had, or at least was hinted at having a husband and perhaps even a family- in some far off country. Overall, I found it rather sad that both Dimmesdale and Chillingworth died and that Hester ultimately stayed in her New England cottage wearing the scarlet letter.
i must agree with Mandie, i was totally...irked that Dimmesdale never did come straight out to the crowd and tell them that he was Pearl's father, although i am glad that he showed them his lil' thingy i think it was really really really dumb that he just did'nt come out and SAY IT!!! i must also agree with Ben, i like how everything was explained to us, but hardly a thing was explained to Dimmesdales crowd. I think that Hester stayed perfectly in the path that i thought she might do, even after leaving for a while, and then returning she still wore the "a" in repentance.
the ending made me so mad!!! not only did dimmesdale not come straight out with the truth, but after standing with hester and pearl and showing the 'a' on his chest, some of the townspeople still didn't believe he had done anything wrong! so other than dying, dimmesdale never had to pay for his sin. had he not died, i'm sure the townspeople wouldn't have punished him at all. all that aside, i really want to know what happened to pearl! was she able to live a normal life? why didn't she come back with hester? it's kind of cute that hester was buried next to dimmesdale. although they were not able to be together in europe, they were presumable together in the afterlife. i'm glad that chillingworth died. it shows just how cold and cruel he was if he had basically devoted his whole life to destroying dimmesdale and hester and then had nothing left to live for after dimmesdale passed away.
For these last chapters of reading I have one question and one major complaint. The question is what actually happened to Pearl? Did she become tame or did she stay the same as she always was, and did she really get married? The complaint was that Dimmesdale never really admitted his sin in words to the townspeople. He does stand on the pillory with Hester and Pearl but this is not the same as saying it. Also, if he would have verbally admitted his sin no one could say that he was just making his death into a parable. Other than these two things I though it was a good story with a fairly conclusive ending.
I never really thought too much of Dimmesdale but i think less of him after this. Im glad that he finally came forward but i was hoping that he would actually tell the people what happened. It isnt near as hard to show people something representing sin as it is to explain your sins to people. I would like to know more about exactly what happened with Pearl and how she ended up. I didnt really enjoy this book all that much. im glad its over
I agree with Courtney, I'm just glad that it's over. I absolutley hated the ending. It seems like Hawthworne just got sick of writting so he real quick wrapped up the big questions and was done. Like several of my classmates I'm curious as to how Chillingworth found out about them leaving, and I also wondered when he died, how he got so much property, why he gave it to Pearl, and if she made use of it. Which leads to my next question; what happened to Pearl? Hester making baby garments hints that she's probably pregnant, but that's about it. I doubt that by kissing Dimsdale it turned her from a creep to some wonderful loving little girl. I just wish he would have gone a little more in depth on that subject. My last question is what was on Dimsdales' chest. I know the townspeople had several diffrent thoughts as to what it was, but he never tells us for sure. As much as this ending stunk, I'm glad he didn't make some totally bogus ending where they ran off to Europe and lived happily ever after.
Like so may others, I am a bit frustrated that the people in the story didn't understand the significance of the events unfolding around them. To me it is obvious that Dimmesdale was the father at the end. Why do they deny the existance of the letter on Dimmesdale? I don't understand that. The people, to me, seemed to have the understanding of a kindergartener. They kind of look up and say,"What does that mean Dad/Mom?" It, quite frankly, makes me want to beat them with a shovel. The only part that I understand is their lack of knowledge on the location of Pearl. I know it would be a shock to the people, but in retrospect, isn't it so obvious? I think that Hawthorne went about the ending of the book in the correct fashion. It would never have had the effect it did if Dimmesdale had said,"I'm Pearl's daddy." I enjoyed the book even though it seemed to be composed mostly of rambling thoughts (made it harder to read).
The ending to this book gives me mixed feelings. I didn't like the fact that Dimmesdale just goes all pansy on us and doesn't actually explain everything to the audience. He just hinted at things, but for a sin like that, I think he should have come out of the darkness and say things out loud. I guess I can't really blame him, for maybe he was going to tell them but he died too soon. After all, he did recieve the kiss of death from Pearl. I always told you that Pearl would kill someone, and here is your proof. I'm a strong believer that Dimmesdale would have been fine if it were not for Pearl's death lips. Oh and about her "husband and family" that the book hints at, don't get your hopes up. The "husband" just so happens to be her posessed vampire partner, and their "family" is the group of little creepy children that they mentor. There is no happy ending for Pearl, she is a terrible little devil girl. As for everyone else, I'm not too impressed with how they kill Chillingworth, so not cool. And Hester lived on and that was boring, there was not enough excitement for me. Maybe if they would have told the REAL Pearl story I would have liked it more. Instead I had to figure it out myself.
I am glad that Dimmesdale actually said something, but the fact that he only hinted and didn't come out and say the truth bothers me. Where did Hester and Pearl go when they dissappeared? And what happened to Pearl when Hester returned? I also agree with Erica- it bothers me how some of the townspeople claimed that they did not see any sort of marking on Dimmesdale at all. Coming from this, I think that if Dimmesdale were to tell the details, he would not be as horribly punished as Hester, because if the townspeople refuse to see the marking, how are they going to believe in what he did? The story didn't turn out how i thought at all. I thought they would go to Europe or wherever, but Chillingworth would keep following them, trying to ruin their lives.
To be honest, I was a little surprised that Dimmesdale died so suddenly. Like Mandie said, he went up with them, rested his head on Hester, and showed the symbol on his chest, but never actually admitted to the sin or saying that he was Pearl's father! He came so close to finally redeeming his years of lying, but never gets that far. He nearly makes it to fulfilling what he wanted to do when he died. As for Chillingworth as the leech, Dimmesdale is now dead, therefore the leech has nothing to live off of anymore. I'm finally starting to see what everyone else is seeing in him, he really, really needed to move on a LONG time ago. He, also, never got what he wanted, and that was full vengeance. My initial thought was that Hester would be right there with Dimmesdale when it was his time to die, but I was shocked to find out that she continues to live her life with and later without Pearl. This is probably why she earned so much respect and her letter has become a mysterious legend in Boston. I am happy to learn that Pearl finally feels complete as a human being and is able to live her life as best as she can due to her parents' mistakes. Although it might be too late for Hester to live a life of happiness, at least she can live a life of contentness for Pearl. She does not escape her problems by dying as soon as Dimmesdale, which is why I must give her credit. Regardless of her sin, Hester can really be seen as a person to look up to, someone who stands before a mistake they have made, and not behind it. I will admit that I was hoping they would make it to England and be able to start a new life there, but in someways maybe it was supposed to end that way, that it may have been too late for Hester and Dimmesdale, but Pearl can now live what her parents never got to.
I thought it was a decent ending. As many have commented, it would have been nice for Dimmesdale to actually say, "I am Pearl's father," but whatever. I'm glad Pearl got a happliy ever after, but it makes me kind of sad that she left her mom. Oh well. I didnt really want Dimmesdale to die, but he did so I'll be able to get over it I'm sure. Other than that, it would be nice to know how Chillingworth found out about their little scheme...
I agree that it's kind of frustrating that not all the townspeople fully understood what Dimmesdale's A was for, and that a clearer confession from Dimmesdale would have been nice. He also died right away, so he never really had to face the crowd the way Hester did. It was also kind of sad that Pearl didn't come back with Hester during chapter 24. It's odd that Hester still wore the scarlet letter when she came back, but I'm glad the townspeople respected her at the end. It was nice that Hester and Dimmesdale shared their tombstone with the A on it. In a way, Dimmesdale now wears the scarlet letter for everyone to see.
This ending was ehhh. I figured Dimmesdale would die. But I also thought something would happen to Hester. I think its funny that Dimmesdale dies after Pearl kisses him. Ha. It supports Jordans demon theory. Anyway, I was upset that Dimmesdale never technically admits that he is Pearl's father. He hints towards it. And when he opens his shirt it symbolizes his scarlet letter. But honestly how many of the townspeople would understand that? He shouldve just came out and said it. I dont really care about not knowing what happens to Pearl. It doesnt really effect me. It was cool how Dimmesdale and Hesters tombstones were by eachother. Even though she should technically be buried by Chillingworth...but whatever. It was nice of Chillingworth to leave his money to Pearl. Kind of weird though, considering their not really related. Its the thought that counts. And I dont think he really had anyone else to give it to. All in all, I think it was a pretty decent book. All the description threw me off. Besides that, it was interesting.
16 comments:
In chapter 23 I am annoyed with the fact that Dimmesdale never actually told the crowd that he was the father of Pearl. He kind of went around it before he died. He showed his thing on his chest, but in chapter 24 people were wondering what it was and what it stood for. He could have stated all of it rather than leaving some of it out and making the people still wonder what it was that he was trying to say. I think they figured it out, but he could have told them for sure that he was the father of Pearl because they appeared confused. Also, I don't know if I like how Hawthorne leaves us hanging to the idea of where Pearl is and what happened to her. It seems that we got to know her so well, and then she is just gone and it's over! I do like how the ending talks about Hester and Dimmesdales grave together and what it says on their tombstone. I also like how near the end of the story, people were coming to Hester for help and guidence. I do not really understand why Hester is still wearing the A, because I thought that she was allowed to take it off. I do think it is cool that people looked at her reverently rather than shamefully in the later chapters. She really beheld much good out of a sad situation.
I kind of feel that Dimmesdale is somwhat of a coward. if your gunna do something do it right and all the way. he didnt really do that. i do think the crowd got his point but he still should have put an end to all of their ideas and possible confusion of what he said. i still really want to know how Chillingworth found out about the whole running away on the boat thing but whatever. i was also rather upset that we only found out about Hester. i do understand that the story was about her but i would like to know a little more about good ole pearl. she was such a nice kind little girl. it was really cool that she finally kissed dimmesdale by the way. i think that we need to find out about pearl why do writers do that? and also what was the reasoning behind dimmesdale's death. ya but this was a decent book even if it was fiction. i liked it and along with mandie it was cool that people like hester now. and i totally understand her still wearing the letter because then she is still feeling remorse for her mistake. she is such a strong person
Hehehehe...I don't care how it ended, I'm just glad that it's over! Yeah, like Brock said, it would be nice to know how Chillingworth found out about their plan. And like Mandie said, it's rather annoying that people still don't understand what Dimmesdale was talking about with his sin. I thought he made it rather obvious, but I guess there has to be some idiots in the world. Whatever. I thought it was cool how Pearl finally stopped being a demon and got to live happily in Europe. It's sad that Hester still wore the scarlet letter, though it is nice, like Mandie siad, that people changed their minds about her and how women started comming to her for advise. It's also nice that Chillingworth seemed to have a change of heart before he died, accepting Pearl like that and setting her for life. I'd call that a happy ending...
I did not like the fact that, although everything is explained to the reader, almost nothing is explained to Dimmesdale's audience. Other than that, I have few complaints about the content of the ending, although I won't go into if I enjoyed the story at all (which I generally didn't). I found it interesting that Pearl had, or at least was hinted at having a husband and perhaps even a family- in some far off country. Overall, I found it rather sad that both Dimmesdale and Chillingworth died and that Hester ultimately stayed in her New England cottage wearing the scarlet letter.
i must agree with Mandie, i was totally...irked that Dimmesdale never did come straight out to the crowd and tell them that he was Pearl's father, although i am glad that he showed them his lil' thingy i think it was really really really dumb that he just did'nt come out and SAY IT!!! i must also agree with Ben, i like how everything was explained to us, but hardly a thing was explained to Dimmesdales crowd. I think that Hester stayed perfectly in the path that i thought she might do, even after leaving for a while, and then returning she still wore the "a" in repentance.
the ending made me so mad!!! not only did dimmesdale not come straight out with the truth, but after standing with hester and pearl and showing the 'a' on his chest, some of the townspeople still didn't believe he had done anything wrong! so other than dying, dimmesdale never had to pay for his sin. had he not died, i'm sure the townspeople wouldn't have punished him at all. all that aside, i really want to know what happened to pearl! was she able to live a normal life? why didn't she come back with hester? it's kind of cute that hester was buried next to dimmesdale. although they were not able to be together in europe, they were presumable together in the afterlife. i'm glad that chillingworth died. it shows just how cold and cruel he was if he had basically devoted his whole life to destroying dimmesdale and hester and then had nothing left to live for after dimmesdale passed away.
For these last chapters of reading I have one question and one major complaint. The question is what actually happened to Pearl? Did she become tame or did she stay the same as she always was, and did she really get married? The complaint was that Dimmesdale never really admitted his sin in words to the townspeople. He does stand on the pillory with Hester and Pearl but this is not the same as saying it. Also, if he would have verbally admitted his sin no one could say that he was just making his death into a parable. Other than these two things I though it was a good story with a fairly conclusive ending.
I never really thought too much of Dimmesdale but i think less of him after this. Im glad that he finally came forward but i was hoping that he would actually tell the people what happened. It isnt near as hard to show people something representing sin as it is to explain your sins to people. I would like to know more about exactly what happened with Pearl and how she ended up. I didnt really enjoy this book all that much. im glad its over
I agree with Courtney, I'm just glad that it's over. I absolutley hated the ending. It seems like Hawthworne just got sick of writting so he real quick wrapped up the big questions and was done. Like several of my classmates I'm curious as to how Chillingworth found out about them leaving, and I also wondered when he died, how he got so much property, why he gave it to Pearl, and if she made use of it. Which leads to my next question; what happened to Pearl? Hester making baby garments hints that she's probably pregnant, but that's about it. I doubt that by kissing Dimsdale it turned her from a creep to some wonderful loving little girl. I just wish he would have gone a little more in depth on that subject. My last question is what was on Dimsdales' chest. I know the townspeople had several diffrent thoughts as to what it was, but he never tells us for sure. As much as this ending stunk, I'm glad he didn't make some totally bogus ending where they ran off to Europe and lived happily ever after.
Like so may others, I am a bit frustrated that the people in the story didn't understand the significance of the events unfolding around them. To me it is obvious that Dimmesdale was the father at the end. Why do they deny the existance of the letter on Dimmesdale? I don't understand that. The people, to me, seemed to have the understanding of a kindergartener. They kind of look up and say,"What does that mean Dad/Mom?" It, quite frankly, makes me want to beat them with a shovel. The only part that I understand is their lack of knowledge on the location of Pearl. I know it would be a shock to the people, but in retrospect, isn't it so obvious? I think that Hawthorne went about the ending of the book in the correct fashion. It would never have had the effect it did if Dimmesdale had said,"I'm Pearl's daddy." I enjoyed the book even though it seemed to be composed mostly of rambling thoughts (made it harder to read).
The ending to this book gives me mixed feelings. I didn't like the fact that Dimmesdale just goes all pansy on us and doesn't actually explain everything to the audience. He just hinted at things, but for a sin like that, I think he should have come out of the darkness and say things out loud. I guess I can't really blame him, for maybe he was going to tell them but he died too soon. After all, he did recieve the kiss of death from Pearl. I always told you that Pearl would kill someone, and here is your proof. I'm a strong believer that Dimmesdale would have been fine if it were not for Pearl's death lips. Oh and about her "husband and family" that the book hints at, don't get your hopes up. The "husband" just so happens to be her posessed vampire partner, and their "family" is the group of little creepy children that they mentor. There is no happy ending for Pearl, she is a terrible little devil girl. As for everyone else, I'm not too impressed with how they kill Chillingworth, so not cool. And Hester lived on and that was boring, there was not enough excitement for me. Maybe if they would have told the REAL Pearl story I would have liked it more. Instead I had to figure it out myself.
I am glad that Dimmesdale actually said something, but the fact that he only hinted and didn't come out and say the truth bothers me. Where did Hester and Pearl go when they dissappeared? And what happened to Pearl when Hester returned? I also agree with Erica- it bothers me how some of the townspeople claimed that they did not see any sort of marking on Dimmesdale at all. Coming from this, I think that if Dimmesdale were to tell the details, he would not be as horribly punished as Hester, because if the townspeople refuse to see the marking, how are they going to believe in what he did? The story didn't turn out how i thought at all. I thought they would go to Europe or wherever, but Chillingworth would keep following them, trying to ruin their lives.
To be honest, I was a little surprised that Dimmesdale died so suddenly. Like Mandie said, he went up with them, rested his head on Hester, and showed the symbol on his chest, but never actually admitted to the sin or saying that he was Pearl's father! He came so close to finally redeeming his years of lying, but never gets that far. He nearly makes it to fulfilling what he wanted to do when he died. As for Chillingworth as the leech, Dimmesdale is now dead, therefore the leech has nothing to live off of anymore. I'm finally starting to see what everyone else is seeing in him, he really, really needed to move on a LONG time ago. He, also, never got what he wanted, and that was full vengeance. My initial thought was that Hester would be right there with Dimmesdale when it was his time to die, but I was shocked to find out that she continues to live her life with and later without Pearl. This is probably why she earned so much respect and her letter has become a mysterious legend in Boston. I am happy to learn that Pearl finally feels complete as a human being and is able to live her life as best as she can due to her parents' mistakes. Although it might be too late for Hester to live a life of happiness, at least she can live a life of contentness for Pearl. She does not escape her problems by dying as soon as Dimmesdale, which is why I must give her credit. Regardless of her sin, Hester can really be seen as a person to look up to, someone who stands before a mistake they have made, and not behind it. I will admit that I was hoping they would make it to England and be able to start a new life there, but in someways maybe it was supposed to end that way, that it may have been too late for Hester and Dimmesdale, but Pearl can now live what her parents never got to.
I thought it was a decent ending. As many have commented, it would have been nice for Dimmesdale to actually say, "I am Pearl's father," but whatever. I'm glad Pearl got a happliy ever after, but it makes me kind of sad that she left her mom. Oh well. I didnt really want Dimmesdale to die, but he did so I'll be able to get over it I'm sure. Other than that, it would be nice to know how Chillingworth found out about their little scheme...
I agree that it's kind of frustrating that not all the townspeople fully understood what Dimmesdale's A was for, and that a clearer confession from Dimmesdale would have been nice. He also died right away, so he never really had to face the crowd the way Hester did. It was also kind of sad that Pearl didn't come back with Hester during chapter 24. It's odd that Hester still wore the scarlet letter when she came back, but I'm glad the townspeople respected her at the end. It was nice that Hester and Dimmesdale shared their tombstone with the A on it. In a way, Dimmesdale now wears the scarlet letter for everyone to see.
This ending was ehhh. I figured Dimmesdale would die. But I also thought something would happen to Hester. I think its funny that Dimmesdale dies after Pearl kisses him. Ha. It supports Jordans demon theory. Anyway, I was upset that Dimmesdale never technically admits that he is Pearl's father. He hints towards it. And when he opens his shirt it symbolizes his scarlet letter. But honestly how many of the townspeople would understand that? He shouldve just came out and said it. I dont really care about not knowing what happens to Pearl. It doesnt really effect me. It was cool how Dimmesdale and Hesters tombstones were by eachother. Even though she should technically be buried by Chillingworth...but whatever. It was nice of Chillingworth to leave his money to Pearl. Kind of weird though, considering their not really related. Its the thought that counts. And I dont think he really had anyone else to give it to. All in all, I think it was a pretty decent book. All the description threw me off. Besides that, it was interesting.
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