The Scaffolds Power in Nathaniel Hawthornes The Scarlet Letter :: Scarlet Letter essays

The Scaffolds Power in The Scarlet Letter        Recurring events show great significance and elucidate the rightfulness beneath appearances.  In The Scarlet Letter, Nathaniel Hawthorne chooses the scaffold scenes to show healthy differences and similarities.  Each scaffold scene foreshadows the next and brings greater understanding of the novel.  By beginning with the first, keep with the middle, and ending with the last platform scene, we can gain a better understanding of this masterpiece.          At the beginning of the book, Hester is brought out with Pearl to stand on the scaffold.  hither the scarlet letter is revealed to all.  Reverend Dimmesdale, Pearls Father, is already raised up on a platform to the same height as Hester and Pearl and Roger Chillingworth, Hesters lost husband, arrives, stands down the stairs and questions the proceedings.  As Hester endures her suffering, Dimmesdale is to ld to beseech the woman to confess.  It was said So powerful seemed the ministers appeal that the people could not believe but that Hester Prynne would speak out  the guilty name.  His powerful speech shows Dimmesdales need to confess.  This scene sets the stage for the next two scenes.          A few years later the event is over again repeated.  It is very similar to the new(prenominal) and helps us understand the torment of Dimmesdale. As before the tortured Reverend Dimmesdale goes first on to the platform.  He seeks a confession of his sins a second snip by calling out into the night.  He then sees Hester and Pearl coming down the street from the governors house.  As before, they are asked to go up on the scaffold and be with the minister.  At this time Pearl questions the minister if he will do this at noontide and he answers no.  He once again is too much of a coward to confess out in the open. The s imilarities continue with a revelation of another scarlet letter.  Up in the sky a scarlet A shines forth.  Roger Chillingworth arrives and tells the minister to get down from the scaffold.  Chillingworth pleads for this so that he can still torment the reverend.  As the two men leave, the scene ends and leaves us with additional information.  It foreshadows a bigger and more