Research Paper The Scarlet Letter

The Scarlet Letter

By Nathaniel Hawthorne

Love whether it be for a person, money or material things is the most influential emotion that shapes the lives of individuals. The lives of lovers in the twenty-first century are simplified in comparison to the lives of the Puritan’s in the sixteenth and seventeenth century.  As an example we can contemplate the love triangle that occurs in The Scarlet Letter, By Nathaniel Hawthorne.  The protagonist, Hester Prynne, was a married woman who had an affair in the absence of her husband. Unfortunately, she became pregnant and had a daughter who she names Pearl.  In the twenty-first century this would be a tragedy, but it would not be uncommon for a married woman to divorce and remarry to the father of her child without disrupting the dynamics of the community.  Contrarily, the Puritans were unaccepting about Hester’s infidelities, and had missed reading the book of John in the bible. How could they possibly pursicute infidelits the was they did and have read, "So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a STONE at her"(John 8:7), in their hears they all had to have something they questioned about themselves. Sociologically the relationship between Hester and the two men offers a unique focal point in the Puritan life style.

            The first of the three scenes that tell us the most about this love triangle is the at the beginning of the book scene.  Hester was been in prison with her child and had been brought out to be put on scaffolding for public persecution and to receive her sentence for adultery.  Her husband assumed the name Rodger Chillingsworth and upon returning to civilization is confronted with Hester on the scaffolding.  Rather than lend himself to the hysteria of the public he, “bent his eyes on Hester Paynne… a man  chiefly accustomed to looking inward, and to whom external matters are of little value… very soon…his face darkened with some powerful emotion”(45).   Followed by a signal to Hester to keep his identity a secret, he then took his time to assess the situation.  It seems that Rodger would not have looked Hester in the eyes when he saw her unless he felt some deep emotion for her.  “Powerful emotion”  be it negative or positive is also rooted deep in his heart.  Passion usually begins with a deep love for someone or something.

            As Rodger assessed the situation at hand he initiates a conversation with a nearby townsman. He shares that he had, “been long held in bonds among the heathenflok…will it please you to tell me of Hester Prynne[ in the townsmans response he shares] in some two years, or less that  …no tidings have come of… Master Prynne: and his young wife…being left to her own misguidance [Rodger replies]so learned a man as you speak of should have learned this too in his books ”(45).  Even though, the townspeople speak ill of Hester, Rodger refers to her with respect as Mistress Prynne. His discussion suggests to the reader that he may have employed some guilt about leaving his wife alone for the previous two years.

            When Rodger is told that Hester would not be killed for her infidelities, he responds, “A wise sentence!”(46). The excitement in his response denotes that he was relieved that her life would be spared.  If he was enraged about Hester tarnishing his reputation he would have been relieved if she were sentenced to death.

                Rodger apparently has compassion for Hester, but harbors jealousy for her lover. As he ponders her survival his emotions erupt, “It irks me, nevertheless, that the partner of her iniquity should not …stand on the scaffold…But he will be known!- He will be Known!-he will be known!” (46).  Without love there cannot be jealousy.  Only a man in love would so passionately insist on knowing the father of his wife’s illegitimate child.

            Pearl and Hester’s failed health during their term in prison merited the visit from the towns newly found physician, Rodger Chillingsworth.    In the privacy of the prison cell Rodger immediately focuses his attention on Pearl, creating a path to get closer to Hester.  His interaction with both of them is carring and almost endearing.  His emotions drifted in to his work and he tells Hester:

 “It was my folly and thy weakness…a man already in decay…having given my best years to feed the hungry dream of knowledge,-what had I to do with youth and beauty like thine own! How could I delude myself …that intellectual gifts might veil Physical deformity in a young girl’s fantasy!...I drew thee into my heart, and sought to warm thee . We have wronged each other” (53). 

            Once again, Rodger exhibits self-blame for Hester’s actions. In the Puritan’s community every citizen has a place; women in the homes caring for the children and men caring for them.  Rodger had failed to maintain his place in the community.

            The influence of the Puritan’s reinforce his desire to hold the few thread  that tie him to Hester and justify his love for her, even though it was in secret. Before leaving the prison Roger proclaims to Hester,  “ Thou and thine, belong to me.  My home is where thou art” (54).  He had not only announced to her that she was still his but also has laid claim to Pearl.   This important statement is foreshadowing to the final acts of his life. It explains why he would give his worldly possessions to Pearl.  Hester was unreceptive to his love and told him, “I felt no love” (53).  How could he pass on his poisons to a woman that did not want his love.  However, Pearl though not by blood was still a member of his family, and created an avenue for his need to care for Hester.

Annotated Bibliography pearl revised 4/27/11

‘Pearl’

Pearl is a strong force in The Scarlet Letter, by Nathaniel Hawthorne, her entrance in to the world took place in a dismal and unforgiving time and place, but in the end she lives up to richness of her name;
 Her mother had committed adultery in a society of unforgiving a population, followed by a term in prisons for her sin. Yet, Pearl's name represents luster and beauty, denoting her shinning presence in a place of dismal gloom. Hester, her mother cherished the infant Pearl even though she represented her own sin.  “’Pearl’ as being of great price, [was] purchased with all she had, her mother’s only Treasure” (61).

     Pearls ability to demand notice of her importance began as a new born. Her first introduction to the towns people was marked by the pride that her mother took in her when Hester wore the scarlet Letter of, "fine red cloth, surrounded with an elaborate embroidery and fantastic flourishes of gold thread"(40). When visited by the practitioner in the jail her writhing cries "made it of peremptory necessity to postpone all other business"(51) the practitioner may have had. She seems to be able to captivate any audience that is in her presence even though she is condemned to evil.

Hester maintains a vision of Pearl that adds to Pearls self-worth and strength.  Rather than dress Pearl in the drab attire of the Puritan belief she clothes her in garments that would be fitting for a princess.  In turn, Pearl seems to have superiority in her presence.  This proves to be an advantage in her adult life that helps her to achieve a high station.  Furthermore, "some people , up to the epoch, persisted in considering her, -became the richest  heiress of her day, in the New World"(164), even though she had been called the elf-child and demon offspring by these same people in her earlier years.

                Not only could she captivate an audience Pearl maintained pride in herself, even though the Puritans were intent on giving her a lowly social placement.  When the antagonistic towns children threatened to" fling mud at them"(69), Pearl did not fall from their torments.  Instead, she proved to be,  "a dauntless child, after frowning, stamping her foot, and shaking her little hand with a variety of threatening gestures , suddenly made a rush at the knot of her enemies, and put them all to flight” (69).

      In an ensuing event, Mr. Wilson impelled her to speak wrongly, but instead Pearls rebuttal was that she, "had been plucked by her mother off the bush of wild roses that grew by the prison-door"(76).  She knew very well where that she had come from God, but even at age three she would not be taken in by the Puritans condemnations. Instead she had chosen to display her charismatic traits that were as bright as a ray of light. Even though Pearl was faced with a multitude of adversity from the Puritans she never lowered herself to a place of shame and unworthy.

     Hawthorne’s description of Pearl in the forest is a beautiful representation of her worldly presence; “Pearl set forth at such a great pace, and,... did actually catch the sunshine, and stood laughing in the midst of it all brightened by its splendor, and scintillating with the vivacity excited rapid motion”(119).  The flowers, a squirrel, a fox and even a wolf all accepted Pearl within their forest.   Nature seems to be in love with Pearls beauty and bewitching personality.

                Pearls natural beauty and charm keeps Hester from a life of pain and persecution.  As a protagonist Pearl brings freshness and hope in to Hester’s life preventing her from a life of the loneliness of an outcast.  They are not allowed to reside in the security of the town.  But, instead they must live in the forest, a place less desirable by the Puritans.  Being outcast, they are not a part of the daily bonds that the town’s people share.  However, with Pearl by her side Hester is never alone in her world.  Even though she believes Pears to be born evil, Pearl gives Hester a reason to exist, and shares the joy that she experiences in her live.

                It is Pearl that insists that Hester’s torment come to a conclusion.  She seems to be more comfortable with Dimmesdale than the reported visits would portray.  Pearl has a close enough relationship with him to repeatedly make such comments as, “Will he go back with us, hand in hand, we three together in to town?”(136).  By speaking up she faces the external conflict before her.  It is with these comments she entices her parents to stand with her on the scaffolding revealing the truth about the adulterous act that tortured her mother. This act causes Hester’s to be more accepted in the community and ends the self-inflicted torment that her father has endured. Even though her father’s life came to an abrupt end shortly after this, the three of them had established that they had a family bond.

                Even though Pearl’s a product of adultery and a symbol of sin in the Puritan society, she is also a symbol of the love that is between her birth parents.  Pears presence serves a purpose to Hester by reminding her of the sin she committed and giving her a purpose to continue to improve her and Pearls lives.  Pearl brings joy in to Hester’s isolation and is a companion. 

                Not only does Pearl serve a purpose in Hester’s life, she also has a place in Chillingsworth and Dimmesdale’s lives.  Both men have made allowances for Hester and Pearl throughout their young life.  Furthermore, both have a love for Hester that she is unreceptive to, but Pearl is receptive to.  Chillingsworth focuses on Pearl in prison and in the end gives up all of his worldly worth to her.  Further complementing her, Dimmesdale is able to relinquish some caring emotion on Pearl, when she does not shy away from him as most children do.

                With her inheritance from Chillingsworth, “Pearl…becomes the richest heiress of her day, in the New World” (164).  This combined with her unique upbringing placed Pearl ahead of her time in the woman’s movement.   She was able to be financially independent, and the power and attitude to flourish as a self-sufficient young woman.  

Unable to return to England with Dimmesdale, Hester and Pearl were able to make the journey a short time after Chillingsworth’s death. After living there for many years Hester traversed the ocean once more to the New World.  Roomer was that Pearl remained in England when her mother made the journey.  Hester chose to live out the remainder of her life near Dimmesdale, her one true love.  Many years later, “a new grave was delved near an old and sunken one… one tombstone served for both that read, ‘On A Field, Sable, The Letter A, Gules’” (166).   Out of the darkness of their battle, it was the scarlet ‘A’ that bound the love that enticed Hester to finally lie by her daughter’s father for eternity.

Annotated Bibliography pearl revised

PEARL



Pearl is a strong force in The Scarlet Letter, by Nathaniel Hawthorne, her entrance in to the world took place in a dismal and unforgiving time and place; her mother had committed adultery in a society of unforgiving a population, followed by a term in prisons for her sin. Yet, her name represents luster and beauty, denoting her shinning presence in a place of dismal gloom. Hester, her mother cherished the infant Pearl even though she represented her own sin.  “’Pearl’ as being of great price, (was) purchased with all she had, her mother’s only Treasure”(61).

     Pearls ability to demand notice of her importance began as a new born. Her first introduction to the towns people was marked by the pride that her mother took in her when Hester wore the scarlet Letter of, "fine red cloth, surrounded with an elaborate embroidery and fantastic flourishes of gold thread"(40). When visited by the practitioner in the jail her writhing cries "made it of peremptory necessity to postpone all other business"(51) the practitioner may have had. She seems to be able to captivate any audience that is in her presence even though she is condemned to evil.

Hester maintains a vision of Pearl that adds to Pearls self-worth and strength.  Rather than dress Pearl in the drab attire of the Puritan belief she clothes her in garments that would be fitting for a princess.  In turn, Pearl seems to have superiority in her presence.  This proves to be an advantage in her adult life that helps her to achieve a high station.  Furthermore, "some people , up to the epoch, persisted in considering her, -became the richest  heiress of her day, in the New World"(164), even though she had been called the elf-child and demon offspring by these same people in her earlier years.

                Not only could she captivate an audience Pearl maintained pride in herself,  even though the Puritans were intent on giving her a lowly social placement.  When the antagonistic towns children threatened to" fling mud at them"(69), Pearl did not fall from their torments.  Instead, she proved to be,  "a dauntless child, after frowning, stamping her foot, and shaking her little hand with a variety of threatening gestures , suddenly made a rush at the knot of her enemies, and put them all to flight” (p69).

      In an ensuing event, Mr. Wilson impelled her to speak wrongly, but instead Pearls rebuttal was that she, "had been plucked by her mother off the bush of wild roses that grew by the prison-door"(76).  She knew very well where that she had come from God, but even at age three she would not be taken in by the Puritans condemnations. Instead she had chosen to display her charismatic traits that were as bright as a ray of light. Even though Pearl was faced with a multitude of adversity from the Puritans she never lowered herself to a place of shame and unworthy.

     Hawthorne’s description of Pearl in the forest is a beautiful representation of her worldly presence; “Pearl set forth at such a great pace, and,... did actually catch the sunshine, and stood laughing in the midst of it all brightened by its splendor, and scintillating with the vivacity excited rapid motion”(p.119).  The flowers, a squirrel, a fox and even a wolf all accepted Pearl within their forest.   Nature seems to be in love with Pearls beauty and bewitching personality.

                Pearls natural beauty and charm keeps Hester from a life of pain and persecution.  As a protagonist Pearl brings freshness and hope in to Hester’s life preventing her from a life of the loneliness of an outcast.  They are not allowed to reside in the security of the town.  But, instead they must live in the forest, a place less desirable by the Puritans.  Being outcast, they are not a part of the daily bonds that the town’s people share.  However, with Pearl by her side Hester is never alone in her world.  Even though she believes Pears to be born evil, Pearl gives Hester a reason to exist, and shares the joy that she experiences in her live.

                It is Pearl that insists that Hester’s torment come to a conclusion.  She seems to be more comfortable with Dimmesdale than the reported visits would portray.  Pearl has a close enough relationship with him to repeatedly make such comments as, “Will he go back with us, hand in hand, we three together in to town?”(136)  By speaking up she faces the external conflict before her.  It is with these comments she entices her parents to stand with her on the scaffolding revealing the truth about the adulterous act that tortured her mother. This act causes Hester’s to be more accepted in the community and ends the self-inflicted torment that her father has endured. Even though her father’s life came to an abrupt end shortly after this, the three of them had established that they had a family bond.

                Even though Pearl’s a product of adultery and a symbol of sin in the Puritan society, she is also a symbol of the love that is between her birth parents.  Pears presence serves a purpose to Hester by reminding her of the sin she committed and giving her a purpose to continue to improve her and Pearls lives.  Pearl brings joy in to Hester’s isolation and is a companion. 

                Not only does Pearl serve a purpose in Hester’s life, she also has a place in Chillingsworth and Dimmesdale’s lives.  They both have made allowances for Hester and Pearl throughout her young life.  Furthermore, both have a love for Hester that she is unreceptive to, but Pearl is receptive to.  Chillingsworth focuses on Pearl in prison and in the end gives up all of his worldly worth to her.  Further complementing her,  Dimmesdale is able to relinquish some caring emotion on Pearl, when she does not shy away from him as most children do.

Annotated Bibliography the love triangle

Kelly Fawcett

Instructor S. Knapp

English 1B

14 May 2011

The Scarlet Letter, by Nathaniel Hawthorne: An Annotated Bibliography

Mercy for Hester was a result of being loved by Reverend Dimmesdale and Roger Chillingworth.

Chillingsworth:

"bent his eyes on Hester...(though he was) a man accustome to looking inward... unless they bear relation to something with in his mind...A writhing horror twisted itself across his features...powerful emotion"(44,45)

 Why was Chillingsworth so horrified if he was not in love with Hester?

“When Hester Prynne fastened (her eyes) on his...He slowly and calmly raised his finger, made a gesture with it in the air, and laid it on his lips"

Chillingsworth seemed to care about Hester and need time to process the current events.

"Been long held in bonds  among the heathenfolk…in some two years or less the woman has been a beweller here"(45)

Chillingsworth may have somehow felt responsible for leaving Hester alone for two years.

“It irks me, nevertheless, that the partner of her iniquity should not, at least, stand on the scaffold by her side. but he will be known!- he will be know! - he will be known!"(46)

Only a man in love and very jealous would be so insistent and passionate about knowing the lover of a woman that he estranged.

“The medicine is ...for good; and were it my child...I could do no better" (52)

Chillingsworth treats Pearl and Hester with compaction when he visits them in the prison.

"it was my folly...what had i to do with youth and beauty like thine own"  "we have wronged each other"(53)

Chillingsworth blamed himself for Hester’s problems because, of the differences in their ages and he being overly committed to his love for knowledge. Yet, he still admires her beauty.

“There is a sympathy that will make me conscious of him…thy acts are like mercy" said hester"(54)

Chillingsworth felt relief that Hester’s sentence was mild in comparison to what it could have been.

“thou  and thine... belone to me....."(54)

Chillingsworth laid claim to his step-daughter. He had a deep seeded devotion to his commitment to family.

"Skilful men, of the medical and chirurgical profession were of rare occurrence in the colony...The only surgeon was one who combined the occasional exercise of that noble art with the daily and habitual flourish of a raor."  (80)

Chillingsworth was welcomed by the needy town as a physician.

Dimmesdale:

“The penalty there of in death.  But in their great mercy and tenderness of heart, they have doomed Mistress Prynne to stand only a space of three hours on of he natural life, to wear a mark of shame upon her bosom”(46)

 Being a clergyman ,Dimmesdale, had a hand in Hesters penalty and the mercy that was taken on her.

"I (Mr. Wilson, clergyman) have striven with my young brother(Dimmesdale)...I have sought ... he should deal with you"(48)

The responsibility of sentence had been laid on Dimmesdale.

            After Dimmesdale pleaded for Hester to confess the name of her accomples Hester replied, ““Never!”...looking, not at Mr. Wilson but into the deep and troubled eyes of the younger clergyman" (49)

 Hester was in love with Dimmesdale and protects him.

"wondrous strength and generosity of a woman's heart! She will not speak"(50)

Dimmesdale commended Hester and thanks her for her silence, even though he feet he should be exposed and punished for it.

“This boon was meant above all things else, to keep the mother's soul alive, and to preserve her from blacker depths of sin...it is good for this poor, sinful woman that she hath an infant immortality, a being capable of eternal joy or sorrow, confided to her care, to be trained up by her to righteousness,- to remind her, at every moment, of her fall-but yet to teach her as it were by the Creator's sacred pledge that, if she bring the child to heaven, the child also will bring its parent thither!"(77)

Dimmesdale intervenes to keep his lover and child together.

“At the custody hearing;  Pearl...stole softly towards him[Dimmesdale], and taking his hand in the grasp of both her own, laid her cheek against it; A caress so tender and withal so unobtrusive, that her mother, who was looking on, asked herself,-'Is that my Pearl?'  ... The minister, -for save the long-sought regards of woman, nothing is sweeter than these marks of childish preference...The minister looked round, laid his hand on the child's head, hesitated an instant, and then kissed her brow." (78)

            This was a demonstration of the mutual love between father and daughter and hints that their may have been more contact between the two than is noted in the book.

"Arthur Dimmesdale put forth his hand, chill as death, and touched the chill hand of Hester Prynne.  The grasp old as it was took away what was dreariest in the interview.  They now felt themselve, at least, inhabitants of the same sphere… Without a word more spoken,- neither he nor she assuming the guidance, but with an unexpressed consent,- they glided back into the shadow of the woods"(122,123.)

Even after 7 years the couple are still drawn to each other and move in unison just as a long time married coupe would.

In the forest Dimmesdale asked;  "Hester,...hast thou found peace?"

He has genuine concern for Hester.

“I do forgive you, Hester' replied the minister, at length with a deep utterance, out of an abyss of sadness, but no anger.  'I freely forgive you now...We are not, Hester< the worst sinners in the world. There is one worse than even the polluted priest!  That old man's revenge has been blacker than my sin.  He has violated in cold blood, the sanctity of a human heart.  Thou and I, Hester, never did so!" (125,126)

When Hester told Dimmesdale about Chillingsworth, shortly after the shock  he forgave her without anger.  He suddenly has intense hatred for Chillingsworth and maintains a view of purity about Hester and his feeling for each other.

In the forest; “ Life had never brought them a gloomier hour...yet it[the forest] enclosed a charm that made them linger upon it and claim another, and another and, after all, another moment."(126)

Even though it was extreamly risky that the couple spend time together,  they still wanted to spend time together holding hands and being alone in the forest.

When Hester was convincing Dimmesdale to sail away he tells her: "I must die here! There is not the strength or courage left me to venture into the wide, strange, difficult world, alone!... Alone, Hester!"(128) 

He seemed to have been searching for any reason possible to not leave Hester or to keep her near him without begging her.  When she said she would go too, he is elated, and returned home with excitement and uncommon thoughts for him.

Annotated Bibliography (pearl)

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

      Pearl is a strong force in The Scarlet Letter, by Nathaniel Hawthorne, her entrance in to the world took place in a dismal and unforgiving time and place; her mother had committed adultery in a society of unforgiving a population, followed by a term in prisons for her sin. Yet, her name represents luster and beauty, denoting her shinning presence in a place of dismal gloom. Hester, her mother cherished the infant Pearl even though she represents sin.

     Pearls ability to demand notice of her importance began as a new born. Her first introduction to the towns people was marked by the pride that her mother took in her when Hester wore the scarlet Letter of, "fine red cloth, surrounded with an elaborate embroidery and fantastic flourishes of gold thread"(40). When visited by the practitioner in the jail her writhing cries "made it of peremptory necessity to postpone all other business"(51) the practitioner may have had. She seems to be able to captivate any audience that is in her presence even though she is condemned to evil.

     Not only could she captivate an audience Pearl maintained pride in herself. She never lowered herself to the social placement that the Puritans were intent on giving her.  When the towns children threatened to" fling mud at them"(69), Pearl did not fall from their torments.  Instead, she proved to be,  "a dauntless child, after frowning, stamping her foot, and shaking her little hand with a variety of threatening gestures , suddenly made a rush at the knot of her enemies, and put them all to flight” (p69). In an ensuing event, Mr. Wilson impelled her to speak wrongly, but instead Pearls rebuttal was that she, "had been plucked by her mother off the bush of wild roses that grew by the prison-door"(76).  She knew very well where that she had come from God, but even at age 3 she would not be taken in by the Puritans condemnations. Instead she had chosen to display her wonderful charismatic traits that were as bright as a ray of light. Even though Pearl was faced with a multitude of adversity from the Puritans she never lowered herself to a place of shame and unworth.

     Hawthorne’s description of Pearl in the forest is a beautiful representation of her worldly presence; “Pearl set forth at such a great pace, and,... did actually catch the sunshine, and stood laughing in the midst of it all brightened by its splendor, and scintillating with the vivacity excited rapid motion”(p.119).  The flowers, a squirrel, a fox and even a wolf all accepted Pearl within their forest.   Nature seems to be in love with Pearls beauty and bewitching personality. 

     It is Pearls natural beauty and charm that keeps Hester from a life of pain and persecution.  Pearl brings freshness and hope in to Hester’s life preventing her from a life of the loneliness of an outcast.  They are not allowed to reside in the security of the town. But instead they must live in the forest, a place less desirable by the Puritans.  Being outcast, they are not a part of the daily bonds that the town’s people share.  However, with Pearl by her side Hester is never alone in her world.  Even though she believes Pears to be born evil, Pearl gives Hester has a reason to exist, and shares the joy that she experiences in her live. 

     It is Pearl that insists that Hester’s torment come to a conclusion.  She entices her parents to stand with her on the scaffolding revealing the truth about the adulterous act that tortured her mother. This act causes Hester’s to be more accepted in the community and ends the self-inflicted torment that her father has endured. Even though her father’s life came to an abrupt end shortly after this, the three of them had established that they had a family bond.

     Hester maintains a vision of Pearl that adds to Pearls self-worth and strength.  Rather than dress Pearl in the drab attire of the Puritan belief she clothes her in garments that would be fitting for a princess.  In turn, Pearl seems to have a superiority about her.  This proves to be an advantage in her adult life that helps her to achieve a high station.  Furthermore, "some people , up to the epoch, persisted in considering her, -became the richest  heiress of her day, in the New World"(164), even though she had been called the elf-child and demon offspring by these same people in her earlier years. 

difficulty paper

    

        In Young Goodman Brown by Nathaniel Hawthorne, there is foreshadowing that Brown and his wife Faith may not be devote Puritans. This could be a factor explaining Browns actions, and possible hallucinations. 
     Faith is introduced to the story by her first name rather than Goodie Brown. Why would references to her be so informal? Even in present times many of the members of churches are referred to as Sisters and Brothers or Mrs. and Mr.
      When brown leaves Faith to go on a night time errand, Faith is left standing on the porch with a pink ribbon in her hair that is blowing in the wind.  Followers of the Puritan Faith traditionally only wore, “plain clothing... Their clothing was usually black white or gray” (http://www.historyonthenet.com/Stuarts/puritans.htm).  If Faith was an honorable Puritan why would she be warring a pink ribbon in her hair, and why would her hair be uncovered while she was outside of the home? In   A Young Puritan’s Code   by Jonathan Edwards  resolution  number  twelve states, “ Resolved, if I take delight in it as a gratification of pride, or vanity, or on any such account, immediately to throw it by”.  Faith wearing a pink ribbon would be going against this resolution.
     She also called Brown “Dearest heart” (par 2) while she is outside of the home, and begs him to take his time in leaving her, and come back to bed. This would be pore conduct for a woman of her time. Puritans believed that women carried the original sin of Eve, the first woman in biblical beliefs. It would seem that Faith would not want to reinforce from tempting her husband, and reliving the original sin of Eve.  Instead she would want to, "demonstrate that they had experienced true evidence of the workings of God’s grace in their souls” (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puritan). 
      Furthermore she tells Brown that she”…is troubled with such dreams and such thoughts, that she’s afeard of herself,” (par2).  In the time of the story this may be construed as witch craft. The Puritan belief had a strict order in the families, the husbands having authority over wives; it would be uncommon for a wife to contradict her husband’s wishes by requesting him to change his course of action the way Faith did. 
     Perhaps Faith and Brown were not as dutiful as was dictated by the governing religion of their time.  The guilt that Young Goodman Brown carried about his wife and himself not being as pure as was dictated may have influenced his incident in the forest. 

goodman brown

         Well, this is my second time through Young Goodman Brown", by `Nathaniel Hawthorne.  Clarity is still emerging slowly, but it is emerging.  I have to admit that this story is easier to follow than "The Scarlet Letter", also by Hawthorne.   Maybe Hawthorne was trying to get in touch with his roots when he wrote "The Scarlet Letter", and his vocabulary reflects it.   Fortunately, he had not quite found  his ancestors while writing "Young Goodman Brown". 
       So far I have managed to make it down the path through the encroaching trees and sticks that become snakes, and I have not wandered of in the woods with out Goodman Brown as I did the first time.  I still think he was unknowingly high on LSD though.  If not his imagination was working on triple time.
        I have to admit that I am intrigued by Hawthorne's use of words.  Even though I know the meaning of most of the words I still have been looking up the words because my definitions do not fit Hawthorne's use.  It is interesting to find that the words have meanings that never occurred to me.   It also changes the meaning of the story when you plug in the different meanings.  One of my favorites was, "simple husbandman".  Now I thought I knew what a husband was but all of a sudden someone added man to it. Sooooo, I had to look it up and low and behold it now means  'farmer' instead of spouse.  The quote then changed for a conversation about Brown being married to Brown being a lowly farmer. 
        The first time I read this story I exerted so much energy on just making through the story that I did not take the time to seek out the meaning of the words.  This time I am able to note those meanings and enjoy the story a bit more.