As I read the last few chapters I could not help but notice the many allusions and references to the transcendentalist movement. As discussed in class, Transcendentalism is “a philosophy suggesting that ultimate reality is unknowable or asserting the primacy of the spiritual over the material or empirical.” This idea of reality being unknowable is continually reinforced throughout Hawthorne’s work. Oftentimes, Hawthorne describes his characters in a seemingly contradictory way. In these later chapters specifically, Mr. Dimmesdale’s heart both “dreads” and “yearns” for his meeting with Pearl (190). When portraying Pearl’s reflection in the brook, he writes, “In the brook beneath stood another child -- another and the same… there was both truth and error in the impression.” Even the Scarlet letter, the centerpiece of the novel, becomes a symbol whose meaning is clouded in ambiguity. These contradictory descriptions seem to be Hawthorne's way of reinforcing the idea that ultimate reality is unknowable.
This support for transcendentalist ideas is consistent in later scenes. When Mr. Dimmesdale returns from the forest, he cannot help but notice an “importantly obtrusive sense of change” (198). He describes the edifice as exhibiting “so very strange, and yet so familiar, an aspect, that Mr. Dimmesdale’s mind vibrated between two ideas; either that he had seen it only in a dream hitherto, or that he was merely dreaming about it now.” (198). Mr. Dimmesdale’s experiences upon leaving the forest further suggest that ultimate reality is unknowable, as he is unable to discern whether he had seen reality “in a dream” or whether he dreams about it in the present.
Another aspect of the novel that carries great significance is Hawthrone’s characterization of the townspeople. Throughout the work Hawthorne highlights the hypocrisy of the members of Puritan society. They also refuse to view Mr. Dimmesdale as he wants to be seen. Dimmesdale’s attempts to confess of his sinful actions prove futile, as the townspeople only revere him more. On page 199, as Mr. Dimmesdale comments on his transformation upon emerging from the forest, he states, “his friends, no doubt, will still have insisted with him, -- “thou art thyself, the man!” In relation to the transcendentalist movement, Hawthorne seems to suggest that the townspeople’s reluctance to see things beyond the lens of social conventions and their stubbornness in adhering to their hypocritical and often wrongful views prevents them from “transcending.” To transcend means to go beyond the limits of something typically abstract. The philosophical movement certifies its support for this act, asserting “the primacy of the spiritual over the material and empirical.” Through this characterization of the townspeople as stubborn and hypocritical, Hawthorne suggests that their behavior grounds them to their humanity, thus subjecting themselves to the oppression and suffering that plagues human society. Contrastingly, Hester and Pearl are often portrayed as divine and otherworldly. Perhaps their willingness to reject social conventions and expectations allows them to eventually transcend the futile demands society imposes upon them.
Aside from the plethora of transcendentalist ideas interwoven within these chapters, I found the ending enjoyable. Hawthorne closes the book in the marketplace, the same setting that served as the backdrop for the opening of the novel. The scenes of the Election Day celebration further the novel’s social critique. The Native Americans present at the ceremony, unaware of the history behind the scarlet letter, think its wearer is a person of great importance. While it was meant to serve as punishment, outsiders view it as a designation of someone special. The duality of the symbols' meaning further highlights the hypocrisy of the townspeople.
As a reader, I found that the novel’s ending satisfied many of the existing conflicts. Roger, aka the leech meets an untimely death, which I found fitting as the “leech’s” source of vitality is removed when the minister dies. I thought it was interesting that even in death Hawthorne never reveals Roger’s true full name. Perhaps this is to reinforce the air of mystery with which the leech is portrayed or maybe it serves to reinforce the idea that reality is unknowable. Hawthorne additionally writes that "no man for any considerable period of time can wear one face to himself and another to the multitude, without finally getting bewildered as to which may be true" (197). Although this quote refers to Mr. Dimmesdale's public and private self I think it certainly applies to Roger as well. There are instances where Hawthorne briefly describes Roger's past self. Perhaps his decision to never reveal the leech's true name suggests that the leech has worn the "face" of Roger and has become so absorbed in achieving revenge on the minister that he is overwhelmed by this character and subsequently becomes the person he was once only pretending to be. Thus, his past self and true name is no longer relevant to his character.
Lastly, I found the context surrounding Mr. Dimmesdale's confession quite interesting. Although he confesses his sins and is able to die free of most of his regret, his confession does little to change the oppressive nature of Puritan society nor does it humanize the experience of sinning as a universal action. Even in his defiance, Dimmesdale is appropriated by the Puritan system as a means of reinforcing its pre-established messages.
Although sin remains something to be harshly condemned, the meaning of the Scarlet Letter, following Hester’s death is painted in ambiguity. Hawthorne writes, “The Scarlet letter ceased to be a stigma which attracted the world’s scorn and bitterness, and became a type of something to be sorrowed over, and looked upon with awe, and yet with reverence, too.”
In blurring the meaning of the Scarlet letter, what do you guys think Hawthorne suggests? I view it as his way of not only redefining the line between hate and love, sin and righteousness, but erasing this line entirely and exploring the dichotomy between these opposing things.
