"The scarlet letter had not done its office." This statements appears at the end of chapter 13. Review the paragraphs that precede it. What is Hester's state of mind. What do you think Hawthorne means by that statement?
Hester's state of mind is not a healthy one. She has become very hostile and negative. She even wonders whether or not it was even a good thing that Pearl was ever born.
I think when Hawthorne says "The scarlet letter had not done its office" he means that the scarlet letter had not achieved its purpose. Instead of making Hester regret what she had done and become a better person for it, the scarlet letter ultimately just hardened Hester, and caused her to have a negative outlook on her life and the world.
I agree with Kathleen and Kyle, the scarlet letter hasn't done what everybody thought that would, Hester didn't let the scarlet letter bring her down, she let Pearl bring her down, but that's all wrong then isnt it? Pearl pretty much is the scarlet letter
It's impossible to disagree with or improve upon Kathleen's response. Also though, through her good works, Hester unwittingly transforms the scarlet letter from the embodiment of sin into a symbol of her humility. In this there is a contradiction. Hester's darkening outlook on life and her continuous attempt to purify and punish herself ends in an actually rather purifying experience.
I think that the line is actually a thought of Hester's (as she has a less-than-ideal opinion of herself) rather than a fact presented by the author.
She does have a bad opinion of herself. That isn't suprising. Pearl is the Scarlet Letter but if Pearl wasn't alive neither would Hester. She lives for Pearl.
Hester thinks negativley of herself. I think this comes from degrading herself too much over what had happened, and this isnt a shock. the living scarlet letter is pearl, but hester couldnt live in a world where she wasnt there
Hester has thoughts about killing herself. For the Puritans, suicide was considered a sin.
I think that the "letter hasnt done its job" because Hester can have thoughts of commiting suicide. Had the letter been effective, Hester would not have thoughts of commiting another sin because of the effect of the scarlet letter.
I agree with the previous posts. I think when Hawthorne says the letter had not done its purpose, it's mostly because the letter should have changed Hester's life. She should have learned from her mistake and made herself into a better human being. Instead she's like depressed because she is not positive about anything.
I totally agree with Kathleen. Hesters state of mind was very unhealthy, and unstable and to go to the point of almost wishing your daughter wasn't born just proves how unstable Hester really was at that time. When she says that the scarlet letter has not done its office. i think she is further punishing herself for her sin, and "thinking" that she still is a bad person, and can not yet forgive herself for her sin.
Hesters state of mind is a very hostile and negative one. The author tries to show the audience in a way Hester reflecting on what she made her life. How the scarlet letter and the entire situation has turned her world up-side down.
As everyone else said, Hester is in a poor state of mind. She feels very negative and thinks of herself as a bad person. The scarlet letter did not fulfill it's purpose- it had made her feel the guilt but she had yet to feel forgiveness and acceptance.
Well, since the scarlet letter was used as a means of punishment, it means that Hester may not be completely regretful of what she did. She may see Pearl as a sensible payment for enduring the torture of the scarlet letter.
I think Hester was saying that she was the one to get the easier punishment. The meaning of the Scarlet letter might fade, and with it she may get redemtion, but for Dimmesdale there is no relief, only continual suffering. Because of this she questions her decision to not reveal him, because if she had, maybe evil would not have surrounded him as it does now.
I believe Hester has the easier way out compared to Dimmensdale. He has to keep his sin in and it is driving him crazy! As for the scarlet letter hester has to wear, she wore it with pride.
Hester state of mind was bad because she had thoughts about killing herself and was thinking about if having Pearl was even a good idea. The scarlet letter did not do it's job becasue if it did then Hester would not be thinking about sins and she would be a changed person but all it has done is make her turn into a hard cold person
Hester's state of mind is very bad at this time because she is having suicidal thoughts, which the Puritan's viewed as another sin. When Hawthorne says "The scarlet letter had not done its office," i believe he is saying the scarlet letter is not working because it is reminding her of her sin and causing her to have new ones.
I thing that Hester has let her thoughts go out of control. She isn't thinking like someone who is trying to redeem herself, but that of a person who is ready to give up all that she worked for. She is having suicidal thoughts and thoughts of killing her own child. Hawthorne wanted the readers to see that Hester had not yet fully redeemed herself yet. This means Hester will have to wear the Scarlet Letter for a while longer. Kourtney Vara 3rd Hour
Hester is not in a good state of mind to ommit anything positive. No one thinking clearly would consider if their child would be better off dead, but that just goes to show how unhealthy this letter has made her. It's part of who she is now. It's morphed her into this dark, angry person who just doesn't even know how else she can try to redeem herself. I think Hawthorne wants to show readers just how much a simple letter can affect the ways of a strong woman completely.
I agree with Carly on this one. Hester has taken the scarlet letter with pride, showing no one can bring her down. She acts very strong. Dimmesdale on the other hand, has to deal with the guilt of commiting the sin, until he finally admits it.
I agree with Kathleen and Kyle. When she was punished with the scarlet letter it was supposed to make her regret her sin but she only seemed to regret the outcome of it (Pearl). When it comes down to it, Pearl is partially what keeps her going in life even though Hester can be afraid of her and only really feels completely comfortable around her when Pearl is sleeping.
The Scarlet letter was supposed to make her embarassed and ashamed for what she had done, but instead of that it made her stronger and to have more pride in herself.
I think the statement means that the wearing the scarlet letter was supposed to make her have a horrible life, and regret everything that has happened. Hester is kind of the opposite, even though she regrets having Pearl at times, she still lives off of this little girl. All the scarlet letter had done is make Hester bitter and have a negative outlook on everything.
Hester has become bitter and hostile. The scarlet letter was suppose to put Hester into a state of embarrasment and shame but neither had happened. THe letter did not do it's job. It instead turned Hester into a mean person and ponder the regrets of her child
it seems that Hester is very sad and depressed. when Hawthorne says "the scarlet letter has not done its office." He means that the scarlet letter has not done what is was meant to do. instead of the scarlet letter making Hester feel shameful, it has made her sad, she as a very negative outlook on her life.
Hester's state of mind is now realistic because she realizes how ultimately stupid and unbearable her world is.
The Scarlet Letter didn't punish her because she learned to not care about the traditions and opinions or others, making her ultimately more progressive and, despite what everyone else says, a much better person.
This question is like the hampster spinning the wheel, really has me thinking... Hestor's state of mind is an out of the ordinary one. Her thoughts are of those who have many regrets in life, and now she is even regretting the birth of her child.
What Hawthorne meant was that the letter was supposed to put Hestor in a state of embrassment and shame but did neither, although it did make her regret many things such as the birth of her child
I think everyone got it right, Hester's state of mind was a dark one. She is really just at a diffcult point, she has lost who she is and lost her lust for life. She is have doubts if her life is even worth living. It not that wish Pearl wasn't born, it just she think that why she lived and at this point she kind of doesn't want to live.
I think Hawthorne means is that it isn't making her regret her sin, it is make her regret herself.
Hester seems to be very upset. Her sin is becoming more realistic. She says that the only reason she has to live is Pearl. Her sin that she commited makes her regret herself (like others have said).
Hester instead of wishing each day she could take it back and doing it differently when she sees her scarlet letter and soften her like it was intended it made her stronger. She is strong enough to keep the priest's secret and raise Pearl on her own all with society pointing fingers. i think Hesters kind of losing it shes seems to wish the letter would have affected her more so and that maybe she should be punished.
This quote actually stood out to me when I read it. I think that it means that Hester wearing the scarlet letter didn't do what people thought it would. The point of her wearing it was part of her punishment for her sin. It humiliated her and changed her whole life from the way she dressed and acted. However, it also made her stronger and more independent which is a good thing.
This scarlet letter A hasn't done anything other than point out to everyone else in the town that Hester has sinned. the letter doesn't affect Hester in any way, shape, or form. She stays strong and keeps on keeping. Billy Keene 3rd hour
The outcome of Hester wearing the scarlet letter was unexpected. It was supposed to punish her for commiting her sin, and it did. But not only did it do this, it had also helped to make her into a stronger person because now she knows what she did was wrong and doesn't want to let it get to her too badly. She trys to keep her head up and keep moving on with her life because that is the only reasonable option she has.
I believe that Hester's outlook on life is that its very shameful and depressing.
when hawthorn said this about not doing its office, he's saying that the scarlet letter was made to embarrass Hester and to show she has done wrong, but it turned into depressing her and making her feel as if everything about her life is terrible.
Gotta say here...Hester is crazy, not just loopy, full on hearing voices crazy. But i have to agree with Kathleen here the scarlet letter didnt do what was intended to do with it.
Hester is not in a good state of mind at all. That's a given. I don't think anyone would be happy if they were in her situation.
I think Hawthorne means that Hester knows that the letter has helped with her repenting her sin but it hasn't fully helped her. She still believes she should be punished for her sin and hasn't totally gotten over it.
The fact is Hestor starts to look older, and questioning what she beleived in all along. She fought extremely hard to be able to hold her head up high, but now she is letting the scarlet letter consume her.
Hester's thoughts at this point are not healthy and have come to the point that she doubts her only companion, Pearl. She wonders if Pearl was a gift or a punishment and feels really lost.
Hester is in a very poor state of mind. Like everyone else said she is depressed and angry. She's lost everything she had before. For her, the scarlet letter has served no purpose for her and is pretty much the lamest idea ever.
The scarlet letter is supposed to help her way to redemption, but it is doing the exact opposite. Hester has become very pessimistic, and starts to think that it would have been better if Pearl hadn't been born.
Kathleen's response was very good and i agree. Her state of mind was very bad. She went into a depression during this chapter. She didn't know if she should have had Pearl. With the scarlet letter, it was suppose to help her with her redemption. But in this chapter, it is only hurting her. I think that's what Hawthorne meant when he stated that.
She was definately not in a good state of mind and was thinking negatively. This shows that the scarlet letter was not doing what it was supposed to. It was bringing her down and causing her to become a negative person instead of making her into a better person.
By this point in the book Hester has a completely negative outlook on life. The scarlet letter, which was supposed to help her seek redemtion through a constant reminder of her sin has become the thing she tries to ignore exists.
I agree with the people above. Hester was not in a good state of mind and she was very negative. The scarlet letter was supposed to help her but instead of helping her it made her have a negative outlook.
Hester's state of mind is not a healthy one. She has become very hostile and negative. She even wonders whether or not it was even a good thing that Pearl was ever born.
ReplyDeleteI think when Hawthorne says "The scarlet letter had not done its office" he means that the scarlet letter had not achieved its purpose. Instead of making Hester regret what she had done and become a better person for it, the scarlet letter ultimately just hardened Hester, and caused her to have a negative outlook on her life and the world.
Kathleen Ferrero-1st Hour
Couldn't have said it better Kathleen. Perhaps later in the story, Hester might do something crazy to spice up the book.
ReplyDelete---Kyle Turner---
6th Hour
I agree with Kathleen and Kyle, the scarlet letter hasn't done what everybody thought that would, Hester didn't let the scarlet letter bring her down, she let Pearl bring her down, but that's all wrong then isnt it? Pearl pretty much is the scarlet letter
ReplyDeletelucas frederes
It's impossible to disagree with or improve upon
ReplyDeleteKathleen's response. Also though, through her good works, Hester unwittingly transforms the scarlet letter from the embodiment of sin into a symbol of her humility. In this there is a contradiction. Hester's darkening outlook on life and her continuous attempt to purify and punish herself ends in an actually rather purifying experience.
I think that the line is actually a thought of Hester's (as she has a less-than-ideal opinion of herself) rather than a fact presented by the author.
Jacob Nicholson :]
3rd Hr
She does have a bad opinion of herself. That isn't suprising. Pearl is the Scarlet Letter but if Pearl wasn't alive neither would Hester. She lives for Pearl.
ReplyDeleteRachel Timmer 6th
Hester thinks negativley of herself. I think this comes from degrading herself too much over what had happened, and this isnt a shock. the living scarlet letter is pearl, but hester couldnt live in a world where she wasnt there
ReplyDeleteAnna Mason, 3rd hour
ReplyDeleteHester has thoughts about killing herself. For the Puritans, suicide was considered a sin.
ReplyDeleteI think that the "letter hasnt done its job" because Hester can have thoughts of commiting suicide. Had the letter been effective, Hester would not have thoughts of commiting another sin because of the effect of the scarlet letter.
Tracy Pfeffer
3rd Hour
I agree with the previous posts. I think when Hawthorne says the letter had not done its purpose, it's mostly because the letter should have changed Hester's life. She should have learned from her mistake and made herself into a better human being. Instead she's like depressed because she is not positive about anything.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with Kathleen. Hesters state of mind was very unhealthy, and unstable and to go to the point of almost wishing your daughter wasn't born just proves how unstable Hester really was at that time. When she says that the scarlet letter has not done its office. i think she is further punishing herself for her sin, and "thinking" that she still is a bad person, and can not yet forgive herself for her sin.
ReplyDeleteBethany Gander-6th hour
Hesters state of mind is a very hostile and negative one. The author tries to show the audience in a way Hester reflecting on what she made her life. How the scarlet letter and the entire situation has turned her world up-side down.
ReplyDeleteKatie Hays- 1st hour
As everyone else said, Hester is in a poor state of mind. She feels very negative and thinks of herself as a bad person. The scarlet letter did not fulfill it's purpose- it had made her feel the guilt but she had yet to feel forgiveness and acceptance.
ReplyDeleteAmanda Bursztynsky 1st hour
Hester just doesnt feel like it has served its purpose completly, maybe it's because she still guilty for what she did?
ReplyDeleteOnly she knows. But it is a good thing her daughter was born, or where would she be? Not around.
Nate Nugent 1st hour
Well, since the scarlet letter was used as a means of punishment, it means that Hester may not be completely regretful of what she did. She may see Pearl as a sensible payment for enduring the torture of the scarlet letter.
ReplyDeleteChristian Blunk 3rd Hour
I think Hester was saying that she was the one to get the easier punishment. The meaning of the Scarlet letter might fade, and with it she may get redemtion, but for Dimmesdale there is no relief, only continual suffering. Because of this she questions her decision to not reveal him, because if she had, maybe evil would not have surrounded him as it does now.
ReplyDeleteSarah Walker
3rd Hour
I believe Hester has the easier way out compared to Dimmensdale. He has to keep his sin in and it is driving him crazy! As for the scarlet letter hester has to wear, she wore it with pride.
ReplyDeleteHester state of mind was bad because she had thoughts about killing herself and was thinking about if having Pearl was even a good idea. The scarlet letter did not do it's job becasue if it did then Hester would not be thinking about sins and she would be a changed person but all it has done is make her turn into a hard cold person
ReplyDeleteBreanna roberts 6th hr
Hester's state of mind is very bad at this time because she is having suicidal thoughts, which the Puritan's viewed as another sin. When Hawthorne says "The scarlet letter had not done its office," i believe he is saying the scarlet letter is not working because it is reminding her of her sin and causing her to have new ones.
ReplyDeletetaylor damyen
6th hour
I thing that Hester has let her thoughts go out of control. She isn't thinking like someone who is trying to redeem herself, but that of a person who is ready to give up all that she worked for. She is having suicidal thoughts and thoughts of killing her own child.
ReplyDeleteHawthorne wanted the readers to see that Hester had not yet fully redeemed herself yet. This means Hester will have to wear the Scarlet Letter for a while longer.
Kourtney Vara 3rd Hour
Hester is not in a good state of mind to ommit anything positive. No one thinking clearly would consider if their child would be better off dead, but that just goes to show how unhealthy this letter has made her. It's part of who she is now. It's morphed her into this dark, angry person who just doesn't even know how else she can try to redeem herself. I think Hawthorne wants to show readers just how much a simple letter can affect the ways of a strong woman completely.
ReplyDelete3rd hour.
I agree with Carly on this one. Hester has taken the scarlet letter with pride, showing no one can bring her down. She acts very strong. Dimmesdale on the other hand, has to deal with the guilt of commiting the sin, until he finally admits it.
ReplyDeleteSaralyn Simpson
3rd Hour
I agree with Kathleen and Kyle. When she was punished with the scarlet letter it was supposed to make her regret her sin but she only seemed to regret the outcome of it (Pearl). When it comes down to it, Pearl is partially what keeps her going in life even though Hester can be afraid of her and only really feels completely comfortable around her when Pearl is sleeping.
ReplyDeleteLexi Poulakos - 6th hour
The Scarlet letter was supposed to make her embarassed and ashamed for what she had done, but instead of that it made her stronger and to have more pride in herself.
ReplyDeleteKris callahan 1st hour
I think the statement means that the wearing the scarlet letter was supposed to make her have a horrible life, and regret everything that has happened. Hester is kind of the opposite, even though she regrets having Pearl at times, she still lives off of this little girl. All the scarlet letter had done is make Hester bitter and have a negative outlook on everything.
ReplyDeleteHester has become bitter and hostile. The scarlet letter was suppose to put Hester into a state of embarrasment and shame but neither had happened. THe letter did not do it's job. It instead turned Hester into a mean person and ponder the regrets of her child
ReplyDeleteit seems that Hester is very sad and depressed. when Hawthorne says "the scarlet letter has not done its office." He means that the scarlet letter has not done what is was meant to do. instead of the scarlet letter making Hester feel shameful, it has made her sad, she as a very negative outlook on her life.
ReplyDeletejasmine perez 1hr
Hester's state of mind is now realistic because she realizes how ultimately stupid and unbearable her world is.
ReplyDeleteThe Scarlet Letter didn't punish her because she learned to not care about the traditions and opinions or others, making her ultimately more progressive and, despite what everyone else says, a much better person.
This question is like the hampster spinning the wheel, really has me thinking... Hestor's state of mind is an out of the ordinary one. Her thoughts are of those who have many regrets in life, and now she is even regretting the birth of her child.
ReplyDeleteWhat Hawthorne meant was that the letter was supposed to put Hestor in a state of embrassment and shame but did neither, although it did make her regret many things such as the birth of her child
I think everyone got it right, Hester's state of mind was a dark one. She is really just at a diffcult point, she has lost who she is and lost her lust for life. She is have doubts if her life is even worth living. It not that wish Pearl wasn't born, it just she think that why she lived and at this point she kind of doesn't want to live.
ReplyDeleteI think Hawthorne means is that it isn't making her regret her sin, it is make her regret herself.
Jessica Yoesle 6th hour
Hester seems to be very upset. Her sin is becoming more realistic. She says that the only reason she has to live is Pearl. Her sin that she commited makes her regret herself (like others have said).
ReplyDeleteHester instead of wishing each day she could take it back and doing it differently when she sees her scarlet letter and soften her like it was intended it made her stronger. She is strong enough to keep the priest's secret and raise Pearl on her own all with society pointing fingers. i think Hesters kind of losing it shes seems to wish the letter would have affected her more so and that maybe she should be punished.
ReplyDeletemichelle cameron-1
Hester is in a depressing mood. She doesnt think the scarlet letter has served the correct punshment for her.
ReplyDeleteMarcia Kreifels 6
Hester has a very negative outlook on life. I believe that if Pearl was not even alive then Hester would have nothing to truley live for.
ReplyDeleteKendra Brenbarger
6th hour.
(:
This quote actually stood out to me when I read it. I think that it means that Hester wearing the scarlet letter didn't do what people thought it would. The point of her wearing it was part of her punishment for her sin. It humiliated her and changed her whole life from the way she dressed and acted. However, it also made her stronger and more independent which is a good thing.
ReplyDeleteKrystal Moe
6th hour
This scarlet letter A hasn't done anything other than point out to everyone else in the town that Hester has sinned. the letter doesn't affect Hester in any way, shape, or form. She stays strong and keeps on keeping.
ReplyDeleteBilly Keene 3rd hour
10 COMMENTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteThe outcome of Hester wearing the scarlet letter was unexpected. It was supposed to punish her for commiting her sin, and it did. But not only did it do this, it had also helped to make her into a stronger person because now she knows what she did was wrong and doesn't want to let it get to her too badly. She trys to keep her head up and keep moving on with her life because that is the only reasonable option she has.
ReplyDeleteBrittany Hougas 6th hr
I believe that Hester's outlook on life is that its very shameful and depressing.
ReplyDeletewhen hawthorn said this about not doing its office, he's saying that the scarlet letter was made to embarrass Hester and to show she has done wrong, but it turned into depressing her and making her feel as if everything about her life is terrible.
Gotta say here...Hester is crazy, not just loopy, full on hearing voices crazy. But i have to agree with Kathleen here the scarlet letter didnt do what was intended to do with it.
ReplyDeleteHester is not in a good state of mind at all.
ReplyDeleteThat's a given. I don't think anyone would be happy if they were in her situation.
I think Hawthorne means that Hester knows that the letter has helped with her repenting her sin but it hasn't fully helped her. She still believes she should be punished for her sin and hasn't totally gotten over it.
Bri Groble, 3rd hour.
I agree with kathleen...
ReplyDeleteThe fact is Hestor starts to look older, and questioning what she beleived in all along. She fought extremely hard to be able to hold her head up high, but now she is letting the scarlet letter consume her.
...Daymion Haggard 3rd...
I agree with Kathleen. Hesters state of mind is not a good one at all, especially since she is wishing that Pearl were not ever born at all.
ReplyDeleteThe scarlet letter has not done its job because she has not gotten redemption and come to peace with her sin yet.
Hester's thoughts at this point are not healthy and have come to the point that she doubts her only companion, Pearl. She wonders if Pearl was a gift or a punishment and feels really lost.
ReplyDeleteBryer Lehr
3rd Hour
Hester is in a very poor state of mind. Like everyone else said she is depressed and angry. She's lost everything she had before. For her, the scarlet letter has served no purpose for her and is pretty much the lamest idea ever.
ReplyDeleteCarlee Lieser
6th
The scarlet letter is supposed to help her way to redemption, but it is doing the exact opposite. Hester has become very pessimistic, and starts to think that it would have been better if Pearl hadn't been born.
ReplyDeleteHanna Sakakibara 3rd hour
ReplyDeleteKathleen's response was very good and i agree. Her state of mind was very bad. She went into a depression during this chapter. She didn't know if she should have had Pearl. With the scarlet letter, it was suppose to help her with her redemption. But in this chapter, it is only hurting her. I think that's what Hawthorne meant when he stated that.
ReplyDeleteAmber Weitzel-3rd hr
She was definately not in a good state of mind and was thinking negatively. This shows that the scarlet letter was not doing what it was supposed to. It was bringing her down and causing her to become a negative person instead of making her into a better person.
ReplyDeleteCorey Skolek, 3rd hour
By this point in the book Hester has a completely negative outlook on life. The scarlet letter, which was supposed to help her seek redemtion through a constant reminder of her sin has become the thing she tries to ignore exists.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the people above. Hester was not in a good state of mind and she was very negative. The scarlet letter was supposed to help her but instead of helping her it made her have a negative outlook.
ReplyDelete