Scarlet LetterScaffold

A detailed Summary of Scarlet LetterScaffold

"I am as content to die for God's eternal truth on the scaffold as in any other way (Bookshelf)," John Brown, a U.S. abolitionist in 1859, said in a letter to his children on the eve of his execution. The scaffold is a raised wooden framework or platform used for public speaking. It is similar to a stage or a framework. A scaffold is also a platform used in the execution of condemned prisoners, as by hanging or beheading. A scaffold can also be a raised platform, seat or stand used for the purpose of exhibiting persons or actions to the public view (Webster's). A scaffold, similar to a stage, platform or framework, can be permanent. Other types of permanent scaffolds are used in bridges. The basic beam bridge, a simple beam over a span, is strengthened by adding support piers underneath and by reinforcing the structure with elaborate scaffolding called a truss. This method of scaffolding is clearly apparent in most present day bridges, but most travelers do not even realize this fact. The scaffolding includes the huge poles or wires that sit on top of the bridge; this suspension is an extremely advanced scaffold. This method is sometimes also used in suspending a roof.

The scaffold also represents the acknowledgment of personal sin in the novel. The scaffold is the place where a person must go when they sin. A sinner must face the harsh Puritan people after they have sin. Whether facing death or just shame on the scaffold, a Puritan must stand on the scaffold in order to completely acknowledge their sin to the public. For this reason, the scaffold becomes a major force in the life of Reverend Dimmesdale.

"There was no place so secret, no high place nor lowly place, where thou couldst have escaped me, save on this very scaffold (220)," Chillingworth says to Dimmesdale in the third scaffold scene. The scaffold is the only place where Dimmesdale can escape Chillingworth and his quest for revenge. Chillingworth, combined with Dimmesdale's own cowardice, are the obstacles Dimmesdale must overcome in order to atone for his sin.

Scaffold can also be used as a verb. To scaffold could mean to prop up. For instance, new titles may be scaffolded with laws. That is, laws will support the titles. Another, every day, yet connotative, use of the word scaffold would mean to execute. A person who is scaffolded is executed. Scaffold usually denotes a negative, punishing aura when it is used as a verb. As a verb, scaffold is not often used and is a word from early America. Thus, the word can have many different meanings.

About halfway through the novel, at night while the town was asleep, Dimmesdale goes onto the scaffold. Dimmesdale gives a huge scream and fears the town will awake to find him on the scaffold. However, the town does not hear him. "Doubted whether he should be able to ascend the steps of the scaffold (136)," Hawthorne says about Dimmesdale's frozen body. Though it is a cold night, Dimmesdale feels frozen on the scaffold because of the scaffold's power. Dimmesdale realizes that on the scaffold is where he must confess and so subconsciously his body attempts to shut down in order to keep him on the scaffold. Hester hears his scream and she, with her daughter, joins him on the scaffold. After a powerful discussion between Hester and Dimmesdale, all three leave the scaffold. Dimmesdale has reached the scaffold, but in the concealment of the night.

er, can also be temporary. A scaffold is also a temporary platform, usually suspended on poles from below or suspended from above, on which workers sit or stand during the erection, repairing or decoration of a building. For instance, construction workers stand on scaffolds when building a new structure. Scaffolding allows workers to transport themselves and their materials up and down an unfinished building

Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 1783
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English