Wednesday 5 October 2011

The Scarlet Letter Chapter 1

Notes: Remember how the Puritans, the people waiting outside the door, are dressed: very gray and drab: lifeless in many ways. The puritans felt that elaborate dress was sinful. How the people dress reflects their inner lives. Also not that the society itself reflects the prison - the prison door becomes more important in this aspect (the reader wants it to open). The prison symbolizes the society, being trapped within the society, and the graveyard is the only escape. Look at the "wild rose" and remember that it is outside of society. It is the only thing of color: an immense red (ah red - what does red symbolize? what else will be red?). How does the red contrast the door? The people? The society?

Did you look up the allusions? What do they mean or how do they relate to the chapter? (In looking up these allusions keep in mind the puritan view of wealth and Jesus comments about a rich man going to heaven?)

Reread the chapter and take notes.

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