Themes:
Religion
Motif:
Evil
Summary: Chapter 6-7
The first chapter is devoted to Hester's daughter Pearl. Hester acts like a worried mother believing that her daughter is possessed by a demon or an offspring of a demon.As the child grew up, Hester noticed many different things about her child including that she had no friends (which is no surprise because they are basically shunned and the puritans and their children think they are hot crap), she had an interest in witchcraft, and that she did not acknowledge the Lord our God as the person who created her and brought her into this world. Peal wonders who her real father is, but her mother still refuses to say his name. Hester develops a definite fear of her daughter. She actually believes the legend that women who commit sin give birth to demons. The story goes on into the next chapter, as Hester brings a pair of gloves to the Governor's house. She knows that the town's people believe that Pearl is an evil spirit and that she needs to be taken from Hester and converted back to Christianity and being good again. The main character in this story knows for a fact that Governor Bellingham favors taking the child away from Hester. Later, Hester and Pearl get ready to see the governor and she realizes that Pearl is her "scarlet letter" not this piece of ribbon on her chest, but her out of wedlock daughter. While at the governor's mansion, they were looking at artwork, when Pearl caught her reflection off of a suit of armor, and her mother realized that her smile looked evil. She believed that her daughter may be physically there, but that is not her actual daughter, but a demon who is using her body to torment others. This sounds extremely freaky like watching a little bit of the Exorcist or watching a Ghost Hunters episode where you see one of investigators who looks like he's possessed. It is truly freaky, but this is the era where there is a huge battle between the good almighty God and the Devil, persecuting those who choose Satan over God and Jesus.
Next week we find out what will happen when Peal and Hester face the governor and a bunch of ministers. Those of you who have read the Crucible can at least imagine what is going to happen. The ministers are probably going to ask the daughter a dozen theology question, testing her faithfulness in God.
That sounds extremely freaky! But, kind of interesting; this would be a book that would definitely keep me up at night! Nice post and great pics! Can't wait to hear what's next!
ReplyDeleteI think you would enjoy this book, Liv. It has so many layers; watching them unravel is a fascinating read.
DeleteBwahahahahahahaha!!! That picture of the little kid is hileraous! This story seems like its about a girl who defies any authority and she is treated like a rebel... I like Peral already! ;)
ReplyDeleteNATHNIAL HAWTHORNE?!?! NOOOOO! Anyway. I though the Scarlet Letter was more focused on the lady instead. You know like one of them chessey romance novels. Anyway, I guess that it follows the traditonal gothic theme of abstract thought. Just goes to show that you can't judge a book by it's cover. (Which I do a lot.)
ReplyDeleteWhenever I hear about demons and posession I think of Supernatural. But this sounds like a really interesting book though. The only thing I ever really knew about it was what was in Easy A. The only thing they talked about was how the stitched an A onto certain peoples clothes.
ReplyDelete