Diction: The author utilizes diction to emphasize certain facets of the story, particularly characters and theme. Hawthorne contrasts a formal tone, in which he uses specific diction with the passionate, connotative style in a more informal tone in order to draw attention to the theme of logic versus emotion and to highlight the thoughts and feelings of the main characters affected by the Scarlet Letter. The two main tone shifts are apparent, but subtler shifts into neutral and colloquial tones are included, allowing Hawthorne to capture the shifting thoughts and moods of the main characters as the story progresses. The author allows imagery when necessary, as in the case of describing Pearl, in which he uses compliments with a dark twist
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A contrasting main example of the use of informal diction is in the excerpt, “Poor, miserable man. What right had infirmity like his to burden itself with crime? Crime is for the iron-nerved, who have their choice either to endure it, or, if press too hard, to exert their fierce and savage strength for a good purpose, and fling it off at once! ” ( Hawthorne 230). The particular diction used in this passage allows the audience to enter the mind of Dimmesdale and see his deep guilt and agony, as well as the burden Dimmesdale carries by not admitting his sins, like Hester. The author writes with an affirmative, if slightly impassioned tone, which allows Hawthorne to further develop the theme of conviction, both in the sense of Dimmesdale’s will to survive and the conviction of law that she must wear the scarlet letter for Hester. The informalness of this excerpt is highly significant, as the pious and proper Dimmesdale is said to never look, speak, or act out of place in public, but in his mind there lay storms of self-inflicted suffering and outrageous delusions. These two effective contrasts by Hawthorne give the audience a topic to think about, as whether guilt is relative to one’s surroundings or their own central …show more content…
This quote is significant because it demonstrates the first time that Dimmesdale stands up for his disgraced lover and daughter, though not directly. It is his first attempt to reach out and connect with the woman whom he loved, even if for a brief moment, and the child born out of that passion. There is clearly unyielding conviction in his words, despite the burdened nature of his heart.
“‘Make my excuse to him, so please you!” answered Hester, with a triumphant smile. “I must tarry at home, and keep watch over my little Pearl. Had they taken her from me, I would willingly have gone into the forest, and signed my name in the Black Man’s book too, and that with mine own blood!” (182). This demonstrates Hester’s ironic turn of affection for the very thing condemning her, and her determination to lead a pious life in example to her daughter, despite Pearl being born of a sin. It also gives Hester strength, in contrast to Dimmesdale’s crumbling mental
A contrasting main example of the use of informal diction is in the excerpt, “Poor, miserable man. What right had infirmity like his to burden itself with crime? Crime is for the iron-nerved, who have their choice either to endure it, or, if press too hard, to exert their fierce and savage strength for a good purpose, and fling it off at once! ” ( Hawthorne 230). The particular diction used in this passage allows the audience to enter the mind of Dimmesdale and see his deep guilt and agony, as well as the burden Dimmesdale carries by not admitting his sins, like Hester. The author writes with an affirmative, if slightly impassioned tone, which allows Hawthorne to further develop the theme of conviction, both in the sense of Dimmesdale’s will to survive and the conviction of law that she must wear the scarlet letter for Hester. The informalness of this excerpt is highly significant, as the pious and proper Dimmesdale is said to never look, speak, or act out of place in public, but in his mind there lay storms of self-inflicted suffering and outrageous delusions. These two effective contrasts by Hawthorne give the audience a topic to think about, as whether guilt is relative to one’s surroundings or their own central …show more content…
This quote is significant because it demonstrates the first time that Dimmesdale stands up for his disgraced lover and daughter, though not directly. It is his first attempt to reach out and connect with the woman whom he loved, even if for a brief moment, and the child born out of that passion. There is clearly unyielding conviction in his words, despite the burdened nature of his heart.
“‘Make my excuse to him, so please you!” answered Hester, with a triumphant smile. “I must tarry at home, and keep watch over my little Pearl. Had they taken her from me, I would willingly have gone into the forest, and signed my name in the Black Man’s book too, and that with mine own blood!” (182). This demonstrates Hester’s ironic turn of affection for the very thing condemning her, and her determination to lead a pious life in example to her daughter, despite Pearl being born of a sin. It also gives Hester strength, in contrast to Dimmesdale’s crumbling mental