in the woods

A detailed Summary of in the woods

In Nathaniel Hawthorne's, The Scarlet Letter, life centers around a rigid Puritan society in which one is unable to indulge his or her innermost thoughts and secrets. Every human being needs the opportunity to express how he or she truly feels, otherwise the emotion builds up until they become volatile. Unfortunately, Puritan society allows no expression of this kind, so the characters have to seek alternate means in order to relieve their personal anguishes and desires. Luckily, at least for the four main characters, Hawthorne provides such a sanctuary in the form of the mysterious forest. Hawthorne uses the forest to provide a kind of 'shelter' for members of society in need of a refuge from daily Puritan life.

In the deep, dark portions of the forest, many of the pivotal characters bring forth hidden thoughts and emotions. The forest track leads away from the settlement out into the wilderness where all signs of civilization vanish. This secluded trail is the escape route from strict mandates of law and religion to a refuge where men, as well as women, are able to open up and be themselves. It is here that Dimmesdale openly acknowledges Hester and his love for her. It is also here, in the forest, that Hester do

Another reason that the forest brings comfort to the Puritan people is the pity it seems to have for them. The forest's sees only truth, the sadness of people's lives, and ignores their rank in society and moral standards. The forest pities Dimmesdale and Hester and their troubles. Dimmesdale and Hester are able to say what they need to say to each other. They talk with no one to watch them, criticize their feelings and persecute their sins. The forest has no concept of holiness or evil, or of political power and moral beliefs. It sees only what matters, which are the feelings of others, their guilt and their sadness. The forest's sympathy for everyone makes itself the perfect place of refuge for a person living in a strictly religious town, such as that of the Puritan's.

man of high regard in the community to pour his soul out to a woman that the same community shuns for a grave sin.

umes her "new position of power" and gives a heartfelt, moving speech. The eloquence of her words is simply beautiful, and the most powerful statement that she makes. Hester's speech turns out to bear a remarkable resemblance to one of Dimmesdale's sermons: "Begin all anew! ... Preach! Write! Act!" (181). The questions that she asks are also like the articulate questions which Dimmesdale soon poses during his sermons. The answer is obvious, yet upon closer examination they seem to give a surprise result: "Whither leads yonder forest-track? Backward to the settlement, thou sayest! Yea; but onward, too! Deeper it goes, and deeper into the wilderness... until, some few miles hence, the yellow leave will show no vestige of the white man's tread" (180). The title of this chapter, "The Pastor and His

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Approximate Word count = 1141
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: Arts