Great job in seminar today. You got me thinking: If Hawthorne's goal was to build this super strong, independent character, then why does he make her seem so dependent on Dimmesdale's affection, respect, and presence in her life??
Even thought Hester is a really strong character, she thinks she needs his affection because she has nobody else, other than Pearl. She begs for his forgiveness because if she loses him, she'll never recover. He was her motivation to stay and if he doesn't forgive her she will have stayed and received all the harsh comments and coldness for nothing.
Even thought Hester is a really strong character, she thinks she needs his affection because she has nobody else, other than Pearl. She begs for his forgiveness because if she loses him, she'll never recover. He was her motivation to stay and if he doesn't forgive her she will have stayed and received all the harsh comments and coldness for nothing.
I believe that Hawthorne showed the Hester/ Dimmesdale dynamic to show how love can skew people's views and ideas. Although Hester is usually very private and solemn, Dimmesdale is the only person she feels comfortable talking openly with. It is hard for us as readers to empathize with Hester because it is the only time she lets her guard down and becomes vulnerable, but I believe all of us have a special person we do the same with.
I think that's a great point, Catherine - it is hard for us to empathize because we don't want her to beg him for anything....but it's easy for me to say that, having never been in that position before.
I don’t think Hester is necessarily “dependent” on Dimmesdale. Hester shows many characteristics that prove she is capable of providing for herself. I think after being shunned from a whole community of people for so long, Hester craves some form of warmth and liking, she needs someone, whether it be Dimmesdale or not, to treat her like she’s a part of something rather than treat her like she this shameful and unworthy being. At this point Hester has put up with so much hate, and emotionally she is starting to deteriorate. She’s not necessarily depending on Dimmesdale, but rather going to him because she wants someone to be with. After 7 years of being isolated, anyone would take any form of affection, especially if it’s from the person you love. I think Hawthorne tries to make Hester seem “dependent” on Dimmesdale to show how forgiving someone and going to them for support, forgiveness, affection, respect and trust doesn’t make you weak. It’s okay to go to other people. Admitting you need some sort of comfort and affection by other people only makes someone stronger. It doesn’t make them not independent. It shows they’re strong. Although it may appear she is not being an independent woman by begging for forgiveness and wanting Dimmesdale’s respect, Hester is being stronger by admitting she needs this in her life. I believe this was an inconspicuous way of proving Hester’s strength as a woman.
I think that Hawthorne made Hester seem so dependent on Dimmesdale's affection, respect, and presence because everyone needs someone. No matter how strong and independent of a person you are, you need someone's affection or respect or presence. You may think you don't but you do. For some people, they realize this right away and doesn't take long for them to know that they need someone. For others it takes them longer to realize this. It may even take until they go through some tough times to realize they need someone's affection, respect, and presence.
Maegan Sanford- Due to the time period that the book was written, Hawthorne could not have made Hester the super feminist that everyone wants her to be. Hester could only be strong in some instances, but she still had to have the 'weak female' image so that she was a believable character. She is described as a super strong woman, who does not follow all the puritan beliefs, but her roots were in the puritan culture. This causes her to change her attitude with Dimmesdale because as a puritan, she has a lower status than Dimmesdale because she is a woman. Hester also loves Dimmesdale very much, and she doesn't want him to sever the fragile connection that they already have.
Elise Davis Hawthorne created Hester to be a strong female character and used her dependence on Dimmesdale for two separate reasons. One is that Hawthorn used two closely related characters in order to emphasize certain character traits. Hester is a strong, independent, and although outcasted is living a relatively good life considering the circumstances. Dimmesdale on the other hand is a weak character that is living a life of torment. Having these characters closely related emphasizes the fact that Hester is fairing well all else considering compared to Dimmesdale's mess of a life. Another reason is to show that even though independence is seen as an exalted trait to have, dependence for someone in some type of form is human nature and should not be seen being any less independent. Hester’s dependence on Dimmesdale keeps her grounded and from completely isolating herself from the rest of the town or simply leaving it all together.
Haha.....you're not a Dimmesdale fan, are you?? And I love your second; that dependence on someone is a human need, and the fact that Hester needs that in her life does not make her weak - it makes her human. Nicely done.
Even thought Hester is a really strong character, she thinks she needs his affection because she has nobody else, other than Pearl. She begs for his forgiveness because if she loses him, she'll never recover. He was her motivation to stay and if he doesn't forgive her she will have stayed and received all the harsh comments and coldness for nothing.
ReplyDeleteEven thought Hester is a really strong character, she thinks she needs his affection because she has nobody else, other than Pearl. She begs for his forgiveness because if she loses him, she'll never recover. He was her motivation to stay and if he doesn't forgive her she will have stayed and received all the harsh comments and coldness for nothing.
ReplyDeleteI believe that Hawthorne showed the Hester/ Dimmesdale dynamic to show how love can skew people's views and ideas. Although Hester is usually very private and solemn, Dimmesdale is the only person she feels comfortable talking openly with. It is hard for us as readers to empathize with Hester because it is the only time she lets her guard down and becomes vulnerable, but I believe all of us have a special person we do the same with.
ReplyDeleteI think that's a great point, Catherine - it is hard for us to empathize because we don't want her to beg him for anything....but it's easy for me to say that, having never been in that position before.
DeleteI don’t think Hester is necessarily “dependent” on Dimmesdale. Hester shows many characteristics that prove she is capable of providing for herself. I think after being shunned from a whole community of people for so long, Hester craves some form of warmth and liking, she needs someone, whether it be Dimmesdale or not, to treat her like she’s a part of something rather than treat her like she this shameful and unworthy being. At this point Hester has put up with so much hate, and emotionally she is starting to deteriorate. She’s not necessarily depending on Dimmesdale, but rather going to him because she wants someone to be with. After 7 years of being isolated, anyone would take any form of affection, especially if it’s from the person you love. I think Hawthorne tries to make Hester seem “dependent” on Dimmesdale to show how forgiving someone and going to them for support, forgiveness, affection, respect and trust doesn’t make you weak. It’s okay to go to other people. Admitting you need some sort of comfort and affection by other people only makes someone stronger. It doesn’t make them not independent. It shows they’re strong. Although it may appear she is not being an independent woman by begging for forgiveness and wanting Dimmesdale’s respect, Hester is being stronger by admitting she needs this in her life. I believe this was an inconspicuous way of proving Hester’s strength as a woman.
ReplyDeleteExcellent points, Ashley - I agree that the admission of need is a show of strength. It's so interesting to me how this works in the text.
DeleteSam Maglione
ReplyDeleteI think that Hawthorne made Hester seem so dependent on Dimmesdale's affection, respect, and presence because everyone needs someone. No matter how strong and independent of a person you are, you need someone's affection or respect or presence. You may think you don't but you do. For some people, they realize this right away and doesn't take long for them to know that they need someone. For others it takes them longer to realize this. It may even take until they go through some tough times to realize they need someone's affection, respect, and presence.
Totally agree, Sam. Nicely put.
DeleteMaegan Sanford-
ReplyDeleteDue to the time period that the book was written, Hawthorne could not have made Hester the super feminist that everyone wants her to be. Hester could only be strong in some instances, but she still had to have the 'weak female' image so that she was a believable character. She is described as a super strong woman, who does not follow all the puritan beliefs, but her roots were in the puritan culture. This causes her to change her attitude with Dimmesdale because as a puritan, she has a lower status than Dimmesdale because she is a woman. Hester also loves Dimmesdale very much, and she doesn't want him to sever the fragile connection that they already have.
Yes! I agree that he needed to make her believable - great point. Well done.
DeleteElise Davis
ReplyDeleteHawthorne created Hester to be a strong female character and used her dependence on Dimmesdale for two separate reasons. One is that Hawthorn used two closely related characters in order to emphasize certain character traits. Hester is a strong, independent, and although outcasted is living a relatively good life considering the circumstances. Dimmesdale on the other hand is a weak character that is living a life of torment. Having these characters closely related emphasizes the fact that Hester is fairing well all else considering compared to Dimmesdale's mess of a life.
Another reason is to show that even though independence is seen as an exalted trait to have, dependence for someone in some type of form is human nature and should not be seen being any less independent. Hester’s dependence on Dimmesdale keeps her grounded and from completely isolating herself from the rest of the town or simply leaving it all together.
Haha.....you're not a Dimmesdale fan, are you?? And I love your second; that dependence on someone is a human need, and the fact that Hester needs that in her life does not make her weak - it makes her human. Nicely done.
Delete