Wednesday, October 1, 2008
The Exciting Conclusion
Post your response to Chapter 20 through the end of the novel here. You may choose to write a reader's log, re-write the ending of the novel in a melodramatic fashion (think: Desperate Housewives), and/or discuss the conclusion of the novel. Did it end as you expected? Did you think the ending was fitting/appropriate? What is the "sweet moral blossom" (the theme/message) that Hawthorne promised us in chapter one? What symbols did you notice in the conclusion of the novel? Other thoughts, ideas, interpretations, and questions are always welcome. Post or turn in by Monday before class.
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4 comments:
I did like the ending of the Scarlet Letter, but it kind of left the reader hanging. What has really been nagging me is the fact that I don't know exactly what caused Dimmesdale's death. Was it a disease? Or just a disease of his soul? If it was a disease of his soul, why did he die right after relieving his own moral burden?
In the final pages of the Scarlet Letter, the scaffolding comes into play again as a key symbol of public exposure. One would think that public exposure would be more painful than the public not knowing at all, but that assumption is wrong in Dimmesdale's case. The lack of exposure for his sin causes him to become weak and frail. This burden of sin causes him to mutilate and torture himself in an effort to relieve the unbearable pain. In the end of the novel, the "sweet moral blossom" theme occurs, as Dimmesdale finally gets rid of his sin in front of the public eye.
I thought Dimmesdale's death was really good. It was a very good way to go for him, which I was not expecting. I was expecting a sad an unexpected death, such as the death of Pearl or Hester. Dimmesdale's life ended in valiance, and that made the end a very satisfying read. The death of Dimmesdale makes the reader really admire him as a character, as he had finally gained the courage to join his lover in her public humiliation.
Go Dimmesdale!
I thought the end of the Scarlet Letter would be alot differant than it actually was. It was some what dissapointing for me. Like Stephanie said, what caused Dimmesdale's death? It bugs me too, not knowing what actually caused it.
Like everyone in the last blog stated, I wish there would have been a happily ever after ending, even though I figured that would not be the case. Even so, I hoped that there would have been a little more to the ending. The novel just kind of ends after the death of Dimmesdale. The reader is only given slight hints on how the lives of Hester and Pearl played out. Even though it was great that Dimmesdale confessed and the evil Chillingworth died, I just wished that there was more to the ending than Dimmesdale's death.
Even though I knew that in some way The Scarlet Letter was going to end tragically, I still did not like the fact the Dimmesdale dies. It was very ironic that he had been living his life in misery and guilt, only to die after the relief of his confession to the people of Boston. But I guess in the end, he redeemed himself, which is what he really needed all along.
I really did not understand how he died, though. Was it too much mental pain? or relief? Was it God's wrath? I do not get it. Dimmesdale's death seemed totally random. It is not like there is an explanation either, to put my mind at rest.
I actually thought that Chillingworth was to be the cause of Dimmesdale's death. Chillingworth was seeking revenge upon him, and he did realize before the end that he was Hester's lover.
At least Dimmesdale died after his confession, though. It would not have made any sense to me if he did not have. It was very majestic, his confession. In front of the whole town, on his dying breath. He was courageous in his actions; not many can confess something he/she did that would condemn them from society. The ending brought him justice. A real shocker for the people, too, having their saintly minister do a deed so evil in their eyes.
The ending of The Scarlet Letter surprised me, but in an expecting way. I did not want Dimmesdale to die, because he was the good guy and I wanted him to go live a happy life with Hester and Pearl, but in a way I thought he would die because he was the good guy. I was not expecting his sudden death, though. It was tragic and kind of violent in a way. Violent as in bothersome and disturbing.
I agree with the others about his death, it was random and unwanted. Why did is happen? It left me wondering why it happened and why it was necessary? I wanted Chillingworth to die, as he did, and be the only one who died. Chillingworth seemed to come around slightly toward the end, especially with his actions toward Pearl, which made me feel pity for him some, but I still was not fond of him.
With Dimmesdale death/the end of the book, I agree with Erin about Chillingworth being the end of Dimmesdale's life. He seemed like he was holding such a wrath against him that he would be the one to kill him. I think it seems like Dimmesdale's life ended because of his own mental state of mind.
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