Strathmann 1

Riley Strathmann
Cooper
AP Language
12/11/16

Scarlet Letter Dialectical Journal 22-23

#22
Quote:

It was the observation of those who beheld him now, that never, since Mr. Dimmesdale first set
his foot on the New England shore, had he exhibited such energy as was seen in the gait and air with
which he kept his pace in the procession. There was no feebleness of step, as at other times; his frame
was not bent; nor did his hand rest ominously upon his heart. Yet, if the clergyman were rightly viewed,
his strength seemed not of the body. It might be spiritual, and imparted to him by angelic ministrations. It
might be the exhilaration of that potent cordial, which is distilled only in the furnace-glow of earnest and
long-continued thought. Or, perchance, his sensitive temperament was invigorated by the loud and
piercing music, that swelled heavenward, and uplifted him on its ascending wave. Nevertheless, so
abstracted was his look, it might be questioned whether Mr. Dimmesdale even heard the music. There
was his body, moving onward, and with an unaccustomed force. But where was his mind? Far and deep
in its own region, busying itself, with preternatural activity...He saw nothing, heard nothing, knew nothing,
of what was around him; but the spiritual element took up the feeble frame. (161-162)

Rhetorical Devices:

Point of View
Imagery
Allusion
Rhetorical question
Repetition

Explanation:

In this passage, Hawthorne uses various rhetorical devices to illustrate how Mr. Dimmesdale has
changed. He wants the reader to realize that after Dimmesdale accepted his sin of adultery, which took
place 3 days earlier, he has been in a better state of mind and body. The author first highlights
Dimmesdales transformation when he uses imagery to depict his new physique. Hawthorne says that
There was no feebleness of step, as at other times; his frame was not bent; nor did his hand rest
ominously upon his heart. This quote is significant because until now the reader has known Dimmesdale
to be horribly sick and weak, but after Dimmesdales recent acceptance of his sin, he is suddenly
healthier than ever. While the sentence describes a simple change, it plants the idea that Dimmesdale is
changing in the readers mind. Later, Hawthorne continues to focus on Dimmesdales transformation by
implying that his mind has changed too with the use of a dynamic point of view and a rhetorical question.
Hawthorne says if the clergyman [Dimmesdale] were rightly viewed, his strength seemed not of the body.
It might be spiritual, and imparted to him by angelic ministrations. Here, Hawthorne suggests that
Dimmesdale has transformed on a deeper level by describing his change as mental or spiritual. He helps
the reader consider Dimmesdales mindset as changing in addition to his body. Hawthorne then asks a
rhetorical question, But where is his mind?, which encourages the audience to question Dimmesdales
mental state in comparison to the past, when he hadnt accepted his sin. Hawthorne uses repetition to
emphasize how Dimmesdales mind is better than before. He repeats the phrase It might be to refer to
what his new mindset may be like. Each time he says that, it always results in good outcomes. In one
section he says, It might be spiritual, and imparted to him by angelic ministrations. This quote also
represents another way Hawthorne emphasized the significance of the transformation of Dimmesdales
mind. Here, Hawthorne uses allusions to heaven and divine inspiration by saying that his new mindset is
imparted by angelic ministrations. Dimmesdale also says that his new mindset will uplift him
heavenward on an ascending wave. Hawthornes use of multiple rhetorical devices strengthen his
depiction of Dimmesdale and help the reader realize how his mind has changed for the better since his
acceptance of his sin.
The effect of the authors rhetoric, in addition to reinforcing Dimmesdales image in the readers
mind, is to highlight a theme: the importance of self-acceptance. Throughout the book, Dimmesdale
struggles with his ability to cope with sin. In contrast, his partner in crime, Hester, was able accept her
sin and move on much faster. In the quote, which takes place after Hester helped Dimmesdale accept his
sin, Hawthorn highlights Dimmesdales positive reaction to his transformation with rhetorical devices.
However, Hawthorne didnt just use these various rhetorical devices to suggest that Dimmesdale is
changing, but to imply that self-acceptance is therefore a good thing. For example, he alludes
Dimmesdales new mindset to heaven when he says his strength was spiritual and imparted imparted to
him by angelic ministrations, and when he says that it will uplift him heavenward on an ascending wave.
Therefore, Hawthorn wants the reader to draw the conclusion that self-acceptance is a good thing,
because it positively affected Dimmesdale.

#23
Quote:

The mark of sin was upon him! he continued, with a fierce determination to reveal the whole
truth. It was on him! he continued, with a kind of fierceness; so determined was he to speak out the
whole. Gods eye beheld it! The angels were for ever pointing at it! The Devil knew it well, and fretted it
continually with the touch of his burning finger! But he hid it cunningly from men, and walked among you
with the mien of a spirit, mournful, because so pure in a sinful world!and sad, because he missed his
heavenly kindred! Now, at the death-hour, he stands up before you! He bids you look again at Hesters
scarlet letter! He tells you, that, with all its mysterious horror, it is but the shadow of what he bears on his
own breast, and that even this, his own red stigma, is no more than the type of what has seared his
inmost heart! Stand any here that question Gods judgment on a sinner? Behold! Behold a dreadful
witness of it! With a convulsive motion he tore away the ministerial band from before his breast. It was
revealed! But it were irreverent to describe that revelation. For an instant the gaze of the horror-stricken
multitude was concentrated on the ghastly miracle; while the minister stood with a flush of triumph in his
face, as one who, in the crisis of acutest pain, had won a victory. Then, down he sank upon the scaffold!
Hester partly raised him, and supported his head against her bosom. Old Roger Chillingworth knelt down
beside him, with a blank, dull countenance, out of which the life seemed to have departed. (173)

Rhetorical Devices:

Repetition
Symbolism
Metaphor

Explanation:
 The authors purpose of this quote is to reveal Dimmesdale as a sinner. While the reader is able
to conclude that Dimmesdale had an affair with Hester, the public and the reader never explicitly hear
Dimmesdale identify himself as a sinner until this quote. Dimmesdale is the town minister and is giving the
most important sermon of his life, yet the author has Dimmesdale provide an extremely detailed and
suspenseful explanation of a man who has committed a sin, which he later identifies as himself. The
author purposely has Dimmesdale repeat He without actually stating who He is. This helps the reader
create an unbiased hate for the person. Hathorne even has Dimmesdale use allusions, symbols, and
metaphors relating to the devil to describe the person in his sermon to incite hate within the audience by
appealing to their puritan values. Dimmesdale refers to the devil by declaring the man metaphorically as
kindred or family with the devil. He also says the shadow of what he [The Devil] bears on his own
breast, which compares the man to the devil by saying his own red stigma, is no more than the type of
what has seared his inmost heart! Dimmesdale also refers to the man as having the same mark of sin
as Hester, therefore the man bares a symbol of adultery which is hated by puritans. The significance of
Dimmesdales description is that he made everyone hate the sinner he so harshly depicted and then
directed it all at him. Therefore, Hawthornes use of rhetorical devices in Dimmesdales sermon helped the
reader recognize Dimmesdale as a sinner.
The authors use of rhetorical devices in this passage also helps establish a theme; telling the
truth is always better hiding it. Hawthorne uses rhetorical devices in this passage to highlight the negative
impact concealing the truth has on a person, in this case it is Dimmesdale. Throughout the story
Dimmesdale has committed a sin, but has concealed it from the moment of this quote. Until this point in
the story, Dimmesdale has made the situation worse by building up so much guilt from hiding the truth.
Therefore, when he finally tells his story, he describes himself to be the worst sinner known to the Puritan
community, in part because of his 7 years of secrecy. Hawthornes use of rhetorical strategies adds to the
developing of this theme by strengthening the depiction of dimmesdale, thus showing how keeping a
secret will result in more harm than confessing immediately.