Choosing a location for a scene to occur in a novel three times more than signifies importance. In each scaffold scene in The Scarlet Letter the major characters gather together, and since the occurrences have ample time in between them, they display character growth and development. For example, changing scaffold scenes illustrate Dimmsdale 's changing health conditions and reformed mindset with reference to his sin. Similarly, the sinful nature that overtakes Chillingworth and manifests itself through his appearance is demonstrated by differences in the scaffold scenes. Additionally, through public opinion in each of the scenes involving the scaffold, the decreasing importance of the scarlet letter is displayed. Therefore, through the use
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During the first scaffold scene, Chillingworth is only a minor character. He is not around the immediate area, he does not speak, and Hester is the only one who sees him for who he is. While he may only be a small character in this scene, Hawthorne does display some inklings of evil that will grow into the Chillingworth of the story. First, he is "slightly deformed" (44). This deformity is a physical manifestation of his sin. Additionally, he chooses the name Chillingworth. If he is starting fresh, he should pick a more inviting name; however, he understands his sin and for this reason has it serve as a warning to others around him. Between the first and second scaffold scenes, Chillingworth 's role changes from a friendly doctor into an evil man who wants to punish Hester and find the truth of Dimmsdale. Even the townspeople begin to see it as "ugly and evil" (85). In the second scene, the doctor must "hide his malevolence" because it is more visible (103). Additionally, the narrator refers to Dimmsdale as Chillingworth 's "victim" (103). Thus, the narrator even goes as far to display how Chillingworth is no longer a doctor but a predator who has become obsessed with revenge. At the end of the scene, Dimmsdale feels his "soul shiver" (103). Since, Dimmsdale is a minister and is thus a manifestation of God on earth, the fact that his soul is shivering represents how …show more content…
In the first scene, it is recognized as "the scarlet token of infamy," a symbol of public ridicule and punishment (46). Hester feels the punishment and accepts that she must suffer for her sin. During this scene, the letter stands for sin and the Hester "feels it in her heart" (41). The symbol of punishment progresses to one with many connotations. During the second scaffold scene, a meteor causes "the appearance of an immense letter, —the letter A,—marked out in lines of dull red light" (102). While the minister assumes it is a heavenly mark of his sin, as it was for Hester, the townspeople view it as a sign their leader has ascended to heaven. The two different resulting opinions of what it symbolizes illustrate how the stigma attached to the scarlet A is being mitigated. This is further shown by Hester 's work for the poor as the letter now partially represents "able" (106). The final scaffold scene displays how the letter has lost meaning over seven years and a life of good deeds. While on the scaffold for the final time, Dimmsdale opens his shirt to reveal his chest and displays a mark. Well, some saw it as "a course of penance", "a semblance of that worn by Hester Prynne", "the effect of the ever active tooth of remorse", or nothing at all (162-163). Hester 's mark, like Dimmsdale 's, only had meaning from those who interpreted it
During the first scaffold scene, Chillingworth is only a minor character. He is not around the immediate area, he does not speak, and Hester is the only one who sees him for who he is. While he may only be a small character in this scene, Hawthorne does display some inklings of evil that will grow into the Chillingworth of the story. First, he is "slightly deformed" (44). This deformity is a physical manifestation of his sin. Additionally, he chooses the name Chillingworth. If he is starting fresh, he should pick a more inviting name; however, he understands his sin and for this reason has it serve as a warning to others around him. Between the first and second scaffold scenes, Chillingworth 's role changes from a friendly doctor into an evil man who wants to punish Hester and find the truth of Dimmsdale. Even the townspeople begin to see it as "ugly and evil" (85). In the second scene, the doctor must "hide his malevolence" because it is more visible (103). Additionally, the narrator refers to Dimmsdale as Chillingworth 's "victim" (103). Thus, the narrator even goes as far to display how Chillingworth is no longer a doctor but a predator who has become obsessed with revenge. At the end of the scene, Dimmsdale feels his "soul shiver" (103). Since, Dimmsdale is a minister and is thus a manifestation of God on earth, the fact that his soul is shivering represents how …show more content…
In the first scene, it is recognized as "the scarlet token of infamy," a symbol of public ridicule and punishment (46). Hester feels the punishment and accepts that she must suffer for her sin. During this scene, the letter stands for sin and the Hester "feels it in her heart" (41). The symbol of punishment progresses to one with many connotations. During the second scaffold scene, a meteor causes "the appearance of an immense letter, —the letter A,—marked out in lines of dull red light" (102). While the minister assumes it is a heavenly mark of his sin, as it was for Hester, the townspeople view it as a sign their leader has ascended to heaven. The two different resulting opinions of what it symbolizes illustrate how the stigma attached to the scarlet A is being mitigated. This is further shown by Hester 's work for the poor as the letter now partially represents "able" (106). The final scaffold scene displays how the letter has lost meaning over seven years and a life of good deeds. While on the scaffold for the final time, Dimmsdale opens his shirt to reveal his chest and displays a mark. Well, some saw it as "a course of penance", "a semblance of that worn by Hester Prynne", "the effect of the ever active tooth of remorse", or nothing at all (162-163). Hester 's mark, like Dimmsdale 's, only had meaning from those who interpreted it