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Ch. 13-14 Javi Valdes
Summary This chapter opens up by announcing that more time has elapsed. Pearl is now seven and things are a tad different. Hester is no longer the woman she was in years prior. Hester was now a more charitable woman. She gave her time to good, which was something many thought her incapable of doing. She has changed her ways so much that the way she is viewed by others has been altered dramatically. One woman was quoted as saying, “It is our Hester, the towns own Hester, who is so kind to the poor, so helpful to the sick, so comfortable to the afflicted.”. The same girl who just 7 years earlier was being cursed and looked down upon by the community was now being praised by some. However while her outward appearance to the community has improved, something internally is gone from Hester, something has changed her. The situation with Dimmesdale and Chillingworth is really weighing on her and she begins to contemplate whether her keeping Chillingworth’s identity a secret is hurting Dimmesdale or not. Hester plans to ask Chillingworth to stop messing with Dimmesdales head. One day she sees him at the beach and they talk. Hester lays out all that’s been on her mind and tells Chillingworth she wants to reveal his identity to Dimmesdale. Chillingworth then informs Hester that he intends to keep the torment going and that she should, “let the black flower blossom”.
Theme A major theme in this chapter is that once you head down a dark path often times there is no return. We see this illustrated in Chillingworth’s path towards evil. He arrives in Massachusetts a good man but once he plans to get revenge on Hester’s lover he begins down a path that has no end.
Symbol Chillingworth at one point mentions a Black flower. He says, “ let the black flower blossom as it may” in regards to his torment of Dimmesdale. I believe this black flower symbolizes the agony that Dimmesdale is facing. While Hester wants to put it to an end, Chillingworth wants it to continue to grow and “blossom” if you will like a flower that is beginning to spread its pedals. Black also represents evil, unhappiness and remorse.
Character Development Hester-There is a huge development of Hester. Years have gone by and we've seen Hester turn into a charitable and good woman, so good that there is even talk of removal of he “A”. However, we also see that there may be something that has changed inside of her. The book sates that she is not the same woman she was and that something is gone from her. Chillingworth- We see in this chapter a much nastier side of him then we have in the past. Its no secret he doesn’t like Dimmesdale, but here we see the true scornfulness he has toward him.
Irony It is funny that Hester who was once so hated by everyone and wished dead by some is now receiving praise for her selfless acts. So much so that she may have her “a” removed from her Bossom.
Activity Write about a time you had to break a promise for the greater good.
EXAM • Where did Hester and Chillingworth talk? • Beach • Forrest • Narnia • What color was the flower Chillingworth mentioned? • Scarlett • Black • African Violet • How is Hester viewed by the public now? • Better • Same • They want her deported • How old is Pearl? • 5 • 7 • Age is just a number • What does Hester tell Chillingworth she wants to do • Get her “A” removed • Tell Dimmesdale who Chillingworth is. • Flea the country and live a low key life in Mexico.
