The Scarlet Letter #2

Chapter 4 (Pages 67-74)

            This chapter is definitely better than the first. It starts off with Hester returning to prison. She’s on suicidal and homicidal watch. Why would they believe she could harm her own child? A jailer compares her to Satan. “Verily, the woman hath been like a possessed one; and there lacks little, that I should take in hand to drive Satan out o her with stripes.” (Page 68, Master Brackett) She is nothing like Satan, she’s just the opposite. She is keeping the man she has committed adultery with out of her mouth. She doesn't want to ruin his life like the townspeople have ruined hers. However, these hypocritical remarks are expected from the Puritans.

            The physician introduced to Hester is also the stranger from Chapter 3. He is filled with anger and hate. “Here, woman! The child is yours –she is none of mine-neither will she recognize my voice or aspect as a father’s.” (Page 69 Roger Chillingworth) Hester can see right through this guy. She doesn't accept the medicine he offers until she is convinced it’s not poison. He explains to her that he’d rather watch her suffer with the letter placed upon her bosom. “Even if I imagine a scheme of vengeance, what could I do better for y object than to let thee live-than to give thee medicines against all harm and peril of life-so that this burning shame may still blaze upon thy bosom?” (Page 70, R. Chillingworth)

            Towards the end of the chapter, we find out that the two are married.

·        How could he speak so cruel to the one he “loves”?

Reading on, there was the answer to my question. She didn't love him and I’m almost positive he felt the same about her. When they start talking about their marriage and how they both were at fault, I actually start lighting up on Chillingworth. He gave off the impression that he was sorry for his actions. Of course it was all an act, he just wanted to know the man’s name. Luckily, Hester is fully aware of R.C.’s mind games.

            This man really gets under my skin, telling Hester to swear not to speak of his as her “husband”. Why would she want people to know she’s married to that asinine man?! She gets enough ridicule from the townspeople.

Chapter 5 (Pages 75-80)

            The first couple pages of this chapter, Hester is shown in a different perspective. In chapters two, three, and four she is portrayed as a strong woman. She gave off the impression that she didn't care about what people had to say about her appearance. She was used to being the talk of the town and brushed the insults off her chest. When she walked into the sunlight, she felt like her only purpose was to reveal the scarlet letter. She thought about her daughter and how she would grow up being known as the “child of sin”.

            I admire Hester. She is free to leave and go back to England, but she does not such thing. She is ignored and forced into alienation, but she stays in Boston. “The chain that bound her here was of iron links, and galling to her inmost soul, but could never be broken.” (Page 77 narrator) Hester only has herself to lean on. No one wanted to be known as the friend of a person that wears the “A”.

            The title, “Hester At Her Needle” signifies her at a high point. She realizes that she’s not alone. She has her needlework to get her through the rough times. Her decision in the first half of this chapter reminds me of a quote once stated by John Steinbeck; “It is a common experience that a problem difficult at night is resolved in the morning after the committee of sleep has worked on it.”

            She may not be able to fancy herself up, but she can distinguish her daughter’s attire. The young lady has to wear this emblem on her chest for the rest of her life. When realizing her talent, she begins to think of new ideas. She has taken a bad experience and begins to do what she loves.