Scarlet Letter
Chapter 5 and 6
Pages 81-102
PRESENTATION BY :
ETHAN SMITH AND AARON ‘BALLIN’
COLLINS
Summary of chapter 5

After a few months, Hester is released
from prison. The chapter begins with her
leaving the prison and becoming
overwhelmed with the torment she is
about to face. She prepares herself
mentally for her new role in society.
Despite having the opportunity to leave,
Hester stays as she feels that her sin has
created a new person entirely. This will
“ROOT” HER IN THIS puRITAN SOcIETy (yES
this is very dumb of her). After making
the decision to stay, she settles in a
small, abandoned thatch cottage away
from everyone. She does this to avoid
the children who bother her and Pearl
habitually. THIS ALLOWS HER TO
PEACEFULLY FOCUS ON HER JOB.

Hester would utilize her God-given skill, of
needlework to provide for her and pearl. In a
dull clothed, puritan society, Hester would
bEcOME THE “NEw fASHIONISTA” Of SAlEM. HER
clothing and creations would be worn for
occasions such as funerals, casual dress, and
for the upper class.

Because Hester would be confined to her
dark dress and scarlet letter, she would pimp
out her daughter, pearl. Hester would
continue her grind. She would also become a
figure of benevolence as she would often give
to the poor.

As the chapter continues, Hester in her
loneliness would ample mounts of time to
analyze her situation. She is constantly
REMINDED Of THE “A” ON HER “bOSOM” AS pEOplE
would often glance and stare at it. She
would eventually understand her situation
AND wHy SHE HAS bEEN cHOSEN TO bE THE TOwN’S
martyr. Through all this depression and
torment, Hester fully acknowledges her role.
And she catches on to the fact that all are
sinners.
Chapter 6 Summary

Hester’s one consolation is her
daughter, Pearl, who is described in
great detail in this chapter. Pearl’s
very being seems to be inherently at
odds with the strict rules of
Puritan society. Pearl has inherited
all of Hester’s moodiness, passion,
and defiance, and she constantly
makes mischief. Hester loves but
worries about her child.
Chapter 6 cont.

Pearl herself is aware of her
difference from others, and
when Hester tries to teach
HER AbOuT GOD, pEARl SAyS, “I
HAvE NO HEAvENly fATHER!”
bEcAuSE pEARl IS HER MOTHER’S
constant companion, she,
too, is subject to the
cruelties of the townspeople.
The other children are
particularly cruel because
they can sense that
something is not quite right
about Hester and her child.
Basic
sloots
Chapter 6 cont.

As Pearl begins to reveal how bright she actually is, Hester starts to wonder whether her
daughter is the demon-child that everyone makes her out to be.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0tai7aOndg#t=47
Characterization

Pearl – Pearl is described at length
in chapter 6. and we, as readers, start
TO uNDERSTAND HER ROlE IN HESTER’S lIfE
and in the community. She is describes
as a Beautiful flower growing out of
sinful soil, Pearl is so named because
SHE wAS “puRcHASED wITH All Hester
had—HER MOTHER’S ONly TREASuRE!”
bEcAuSE “IN GIvING HER ExISTENcE A
GREAT lAw HAD bEEN bROkEN,”. wHEN THE
narrator describes Pearl as an
“OuTcAST,” HE uNDERSTATES: pEARl IS AN
“IMp Of EvIl, EMblEM AND pRODucT Of
sin, she had no right among
cHRISTENED INfANTS.” kNOwING THAT SHE
is alone in this world, Pearl creates
casts of characters in her
imagination to keep her company. She
feels excluded from the other kids,
therefore keeps her distance.
We can only assume
they had a “MAMA”
and “Honey Boo Boo”
relationship

Hester- Chapter 5 is a complete
explanation of this character.
HESTER’S SORROw IS AlMOST
overwhelming for the reader. One can
sympathize with this woman. She
acknowledges that she is punished for
the other puritans, rather than for
god. She yearns to go home but knows
that is her responsibility to stay in
the judgmental and hypocritical
settlement. She constantly feels a
fIGuRATIvE “buRNING pAIN” IN HER cHEST.
She feels the pain as she is reminded of
her situation. In chapter 6. She starts
to realize that Pearl may not be the
demon-child the other people make
her out to be. She notices an inborn
INNOcENcE IN HER THAT THE TOwN’S
people neglect.
Symbols

Hester- As I see it, Hester is almost a Jesus-like figure. She is being punished for sin, despite
everyone being guilty. She is offered up for judgment and persecution. This is unfair due to the fact
that everyone commits sin, yet she is punished in such a way that is humiliating and permanent.
Society always has a scapegoat. For us to reassure ourselves that we are not entirely evil, we must
have another person to be the standard of worthlessness. Hester is this symbol in their society.
She is “sacrificed” for the good of the community.

Pearl- She represents the fact that God sees our sin and doesn’t condemn us for life. God is
forgiving and gave Hester a blessing out of her sin. He uses her sin to show that there is still
beauty, hope, and life found inside of her and around her. She is a symbol of innocence in a time of
evil and unjustly persecution.

Pearl and Hester- Hawthorne’s technique here is that he uses the “un-human” elements of Hester
and Pearl’s life together to emphasize their very humanness. The text suggests that being fully
human means not denying one’s inner self but actually expressing ideas, dreams and beliefs.
(romantic ideals)

The Scarlet Letter- The letter is ultimately symbolic for sin. This sin torments her as others
outcast her for it. But the symbol is turned around once she embroiders it and makes it her own.
By designing it, she has owned up to this sin and will not let it dominate her. Sin drowns us in
guilt, but does not entirely consume us. At first, Hester is dominated by this sin as she is
constantly reminded by it, but sin sinks in and eventually becomes apart of our daily life, and who
we are.

Hester’s Clothing-Part of Hester’s punishment was being forced to wear her drab attire with the
letter. The book explains how Hester would create fashionable and beautiful clothing. This
symbolizes her self expression. This is the outlet for her horrible life. She can express herself and
continue her passion creatively as she has no one to verbalize with.
Theme
Judgment and Sin-We as people tend to look at the outer appearance of a person but don’t bother looking at their
heart. The towns people blame and name call a little girl, even though she has committed no crime at all. We point
fingers at other people to take the focus off our own sinful actions.
Hypocrisy- We are all hypocrites. We tend to believe we are perfect and are entitled to correcting other’ s wrong
doings. Unless Aaron Collins or Jake Pannell are correcting you, don’t listen. This justifies not listening to teachers, but
that is a different lesson. This book screams hypocrisy. A town of sinners sanctifies the mass punishment of a women
who sees through the masquerade. She identifies with her herself and realizes that all are sinners, therefor she
questions why she is so harshly persecuted and comes to the conclusion that she must be the scapegoat for a town of
hypocrites.
Benevolence- Hester is a naturally benevolent person. In a situation where she is shunned and hated, she somehow
finds it in her heart to forgive the ones that maimed her. She gives to the poor and those who are somehow more
miserable than her. In a time of darkness, Hester is a figurative lamp, rather than turning off and leaving you alone,
she still provides enough light in the room so you don’t whack your shin against a desk or table. Thanks Hester.
Puritan and Romantic Ideas

Puritanism- The major identification of puritanism in the chapters
are through the dress and the social outcast they put on Hester and
Pearl. Harsh punishments and constant bantering for their sin
depicts how the heavily religious society was ruled by the church.
Their dress attire was dull and grey. This is what identified Hester
so heavily in crowds as she wore her vibrant “A”.
 Romanticism- Hester creating beautiful clothing for towns people.
This was unusual for a puritan society. It was vibrant and became
acceptable despite it being developed by an adulterer. Also, Hester
living unaccompanied by a man was a sign of independence.
That rhymed
A Pinch of Vocab
Chapter 5
ASSIMILATE-to absorb into the cultural tradition of a population or group
Chapter 6
EFFICACY-effective
as a means of remedy
TINGE-an effective or modifying property or influence: touch
RUSSET-a
UNCONGENIAL-unfriendly
IMBUED-inspired
THATCHED-a house used as a sheltering cover made up of a plant material
MUTABILITY-subject
PROGENITORS-an ancestor in the direct line: forefather
course brownish homespun cloth
as with feelings, opinions etc.
to change
PLEBIAN-one of the common people
point in time marked by the beginning of a new
development or state of things
COMMISERATION-to feel or express sympathy: condole
CAPRICE-a
CONTUMACIOUSLY-stubbornly disobedient: rebellious
GESTICULATION-expression
TALISMEN-something producing apparently magical or miraculous effects
EPOCH-a
sudden, impulsive change within: whim
through gestures
Literary Devices Ch.5

(Symbolism included in independent slide)

Irony- As Hester is released from prison, she enters a whole new prison of the outside
world. I find it ironic as she leaves a cell that is described as “archaic”, she now enters
a world where she is no longer seen as Hester, rather she is now seen as a sinner of
adultery. Despite being released, she is still captive to the puritan society.

Narrative Voice-The narrator is omniscient and almost sounds sympathetic when
describing Hester’s situation. The reader can not help but feel depressed as the
narrator describes the bleak world Hester must live in. Through the use of strong
adjectives that are overwhelming in length, he creates a picture for the reader.

Simile- “She stood apart from moral interests, yet close beside them, like a ghost that
revisits the familiar fireside, and can no longer make itself seen or felt; no more smile
with the household joy, nor mourn with the kindred sorrow; or, should it succeed in
manifesting its forbidden sympathy, awakening only terror and horrible repugnance”
(Hawthorne 88). This simile paints a picture and perfectly describes a woman of
anguish. This literary device is effective in creating a tone for the chapter.
Literary Devices Ch.6

Irony – It is ironic that Pearl is considered a demon-child, yet in this
chapter we see her playing and laughing as though she is oblivious to
the events around her. She has a level of innocence that is only natural
for a child.

Metaphor- * talking about pearl * “A beautiful flower growing out of
sinful soil.” She is not the demon-child everyone suspects. She does not
chant redrum or have a spinning head, nor has she puked on
Dimmesdale with the force of a fire hydrant. Although she comes from
a sinful background, she is not a result of her mother’s hussy lifestyle.

Imagery – “ So magnificent was the small figure, when thus arrayed,
and such was the splendor of Pearl’s own proper beauty, shining
through the gorgeous robes which might have extinguished a paler
loveliness, that there was an absolute circle of radiance around her ,
on the darksome cottage” (Hawthorne 93).
“ Dang that little girl cute “
Essay Assignment

Minimum 1,000 words

Discuss Puritan Society vs. Romantic society and what role they play
in the Scarlet Letter. Analyze the style of clothing, how it affects
Hester, etc.

Due Friday before class is over.

No exceptions
Mini Quiz….
Prepare Yourself
Open Response
1.
Why does Hester not flee back to England?
2.
Hester supports her and Pearl financially through?
3.
Due to the constant harassment, Hester spawns hatred for what
group of people?
4.
Why is Pearl treated so differently? Is it just to treat Pearl this way?
5.
What causes a burning feeling in Hester’s chest?
Bonus (Personal Opinion)
then we will judge your opinion
1.
Chuck Norris or Chuck Bass?
2.
A song that annoys you?
3.
Favorite MHS white basketball player?
4.
UGGs or Crocs?
FiN.