... to be "an agent in the promotion of good citizenship" (48). Certain social mores ran deep in Puritan society, and by enforcing these, the magistrates feel they are doing a service to everyone. Eradicating sin from the community took group effort, and the scaffold is the most prominent symbol of this belief in penitence and regrowth. ... . This hidden guilt is seen in Arthur Dimmesdale, whose own visit to the scaffold is covert and in darkness, as though he wants to hide it from God's eyes as well as those of the townspeople. The guilt that is taking a toll on Dimmesdale's body and mind ke...

• Word Count: 891
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School

... sin. The purpose of her punishment is to teach the community a lesson about sin, but in fact society is using her as a scapegoat for their own shadow nature. The punishment is supposed to show the community what is right and what is wrong. Hester's sin is now external and the ... Hester says, "Could it be true? She clutched the child so fiercely to her breast, that it sent forth a cry; she turned her eyes downward at the scarlet letter, and even touched it with her finger, to assure herself that the infant and the shame were real. Yes!-these were ... his heart." (130). This idea shows th...

• Word Count: 1995
• Approx Pages: 8
• Grade Level: High School

... , his beautiful wife. Georgiana's "fatal flaw of humanity" (43); the birthmark, blocks her from perfection in his eyes, and thus blemishes Aylmer's prideful ideals. Her alleged inferiority to science leads to her death and Aylmer's complete failure as ... destroyed the effect of Georgiana's beauty (43). Aylmer represents the latter group," If the birthmark did not heighten their admiration, contented themselves with wishing it away so that the world might possess one living specimen of ideal loveliness without ... . His entire mood shows how science receives the greater part of his affec...

• Word Count: 1411
• Approx Pages: 6
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... to Arthur Dimmesdale and pleads with him to speak on her behalf. He comes forward with his hand over his heart and argues that God has obviously given Pearl to Hester for some divine reason, and that it would meddle with the ways of the Lord to take Pearl ... . Chillingworth engages the minister in a conversation about why men keep secrets in their hearts, rather than reveal them immediately. Dimmesdale clutches his breast and struggles to avoid directly answering the questions Chillingworth poses. The two men are interrupted by Pearl and Hester walking through the cemetery outside. Pea...

• Word Count: 5572
• Approx Pages: 22
• Grade Level: High School

... many aspects of a heroic quest. Hawthorne, known as one of America's greatest authors, wrote short stories and novels from about 1825-1860. His works are noted for their psychological probing into human nature, especially its darker side. Hawthorne wrote "Young Goodman Brown" in 1835. (World 118) Goodman Brown, the main character in ... case changes his state of being. Brown realizes this as his journey through the wilderness ends with him walking up on a witch meeting. While watching through the bushes everything that is taking place, Brown spots some townsmen inspiring his wife, Faith,...

• Word Count: 1815
• Approx Pages: 7
• Grade Level: High School

... morning with cheer and a prayer. She brings in the sunshine to the house of the seven gables. Phoebe is like "god's angel." She is the symbolism of newness. She possesses the quality to spread cheer around her surroundings. She plans to ... the last Pyncheon left besides Phoebe, Hepzibah, and Jaffrey. Phoebe enters the garden, and notices a man there. He is watching her and introduces himself to her. He tells that the chickens that she is feeding, only respond to her because she is ... is a glow of happiness in his face of Clifford. Clifford and Phoebe both enjoy many similar things; alth...

• Word Count: 2022
• Approx Pages: 8
• Grade Level: High School