... Roger Chillingworth to the point at which his, "Smile and scowl So vivid was the expression that it seemed to remain painted on the darkness, after the meteor had vanished, with an effect as if the street and all things else were at once annihilated." (136). This expression ... this to finally confess his sin to the world. His sin now has been released from his heart to his congregation. Dimmesdale's emotions are characterized as anxious and zealous. He is anxious because of all of the action that is happening and zealous because he has at last revealed his own scarlet letter. ... since ...

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

... own faith. Else, why would he want to challenge it? Upon entering the forest, Brown whispered to himself that the forest was so filled with darkness, he wouldn't be surprised if the devil himself matriculated beside him. When the devil does appear, Goodman Brown seems almost to have been expecting ... (Hawthorne 261). This passage shows literally and figuratively, Brown left his unquestionable "Faith" in God behind when he entered the forest of darkness. Brown also says to the devil that he "kept covenant" (261) by showing up. Perhaps he made a subconscious pact to meet with the devil, ...

• Word Count: 1393
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: High School

... to fly along the forest path rather than to walk or run. The road grew wilder and drearier and more faintly traced and vanished at length, leaving him in the heart of the dark wilderness, still rushing onward with the instinct that guides mortals to evil" (Hawthorne 1212). Goodman Brown has consciously turned into a product ... all gathered in "a grave and dark-clad company" (Hawthorne 1212). The only person he does not see is Faith, and "as hope came into his heart, he trembled" (Hawthorne 1213). This was his last vestige of hope. Faith appears, and both she and Brown are brought forth...

• Word Count: 1398
• Approx Pages: 6
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... the anguish felt by both Hester and Dimmesdale. It also stands for the love between the two of them and for Pearl, their daughter. Darkness and light symbolize the ongoing struggle between good and evil. The darkness is generally associated with Chillingworth, and the cold acts of revenge he exacts on Dimmesdale. The light stands for truth and purity and Pearl's free nature. A major ... theme in the Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne is the consequence of sin is alienation. The alienation may be physical, spiritual, or emotional. The theme ... . This causes the town's people to gradu...

• Word Count: 2338
• Approx Pages: 9
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... darkness of the forest on his heroic journey not knowing what lies ahead. Darkness, in this case, doesn't only mean nighttime. Darkness refers to the mysteries of what lies in the shadows, the truth about the people of Salem village, and the fear inside of Goodman Brown. Another important aspect of ... the hero's quest in "Young Goodman Brown" is that what the hero seeks is usually no more than a symbol of ... journey into the woods, Brown never knew that such sin and disbelief existed and definitely not in him. (Washington 1) The heroic nature of "Young Goodman Brown" has historical b...

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

... , I should judge-, which Mistress Prynne is holding in her arms?" (Hawthorne, 44) While Chillingworth is in the crowd growing angrier at the thought of his betrayal, the reverend Dimmesdale is crying out to Hester to reveal his name. The clergyman, Mr. Wilson tells Dimmesdale to speak out to Hester ... me, Hester, though he were to step down from a high place, and stand there beside thee, on thy pedestal of shame, yet better were it so, than to hide a guilty heart through life." (Hawthorne, 48) The way that Dimmesdale speaks to Hester shows that he wants his name to be revealed, ... pe...

• Word Count: 1498
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: High School

... and follow her to Heaven"(164). Brown's wife Faith symbolizes his real faith in God and his journey into the darkness of the Salem woods is a symbol of evil and question of faith. Goodman Brown is about to begin his struggle between the evil temptations of the devil, and the church abiding life he knows as reality. He will challenge his faith in himself and ... an Indian village on fire. This is the first instance when Goodman hears of such a thing. Goodman shrugs off the comment but in his heart and in his mind he begins to wonder. He says, "I marvel they never spoke of these matters. ...

• Word Count: 1650
• Approx Pages: 7
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... : -- On a field, sable, the letter A, gules" (240). Thus, the love the couple shares, symbolized by the letter A, is lighter and more pure than the ominous darkness and corruption of the world surrounding it. The natural purity of their love is addressed earlier as the two share and intimate conversation in the woods and the sun breaks through the clouds. "Such [is] the sympathy ... forest, never subjugated by human law, nor illumined by higher truth -- with the bliss of these two spirits! Love ... must always create a sunshine, filling the heart so full of radiance that it overflows upo...

• Word Count: 1485
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: High School

... feel that her sentence is much too lenient. They punish her further by making both Hester and Pearl social outcasts. They avoid interaction with either of them and often cast suspicious looks and insulting comments in their direction. Hester's sin, shame, and guilt are clearly heightened by the fact that ... and she feels that the child's impish ways are the result of the sin she has committed. The significance of the scarlet letter in the life of Dimmesdale, whose guilt remains hidden, is suggested by a hidden scarlet letter on his heart. Pearl notices that the minister is always holdin...

• Word Count: 1285
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School