DJs 11-15

DJ 11.
Pg 67. "I know not Lethe nor Nepenthe... but I have learned many new secrets in the wilderness..."

Lethe was a drug that the dead was supposed to drink before being reincarnated in order for them to forget about their past life. This is symbolic of Hester's situation because she would probably like to forget her life at this point. Nepenthe is thought to be a drug used by the ancient Greeks to banish pain and sorrow ans make productive thought. This is also symbolic of Hester's situation because she is going to have a difficult time doing those things on her own. The drug are also things that aren't normal in a Puritan society, but like Chillingsworth. The represent the alchemy that he practiced, which also are not accepted in a Puritan society. The fact that Chillingsworth found his secrets in the woods also reinforces the theme the importance of nature.

DJ 12.
Pg 67. "As he spoke, he laid his forefinger seemed to scorch into Hester's breast, as if it had been red-hot."

As Chillingsworth touches Hester, it is described as red-hot. This represents that fact that Chillingsworth is evil and the flames from hell go through him to burn Hester. The reason for his turning evil is from jealousy, rage, and guilt. He is jealous of the fact that his wife was sleeping around with someone who wasn't him, angry that Hester would betray him in a way like that, and is felt guilty that he wasn't around for two years and left Hester to be lonely.

DJ 13.
Private Guilt vs. Public Guilt

The theme private guilt vs public guilt is represented mainly between Dimmesdale and Hester. Hester's guilt was made public when she was standing on the scaffold for the premiere of her scarlet letter.  She learns how to cope with her guilt and turn it good. Dimmesdale's guilt is private. Hester and him are the only ones who know of his sin and he doesn't know how to deal with it. He is afraid that if he confesses, then the people the look up to him will no longer respect him. His guilt eventually leads to his death.

DJ 14.
Pg 72. "Thus the young and pure be taught to look at her, with the scarlet letter flaming on her breast,..."

This is a connection with the idea that the scarlet letter is connected with hell. Hester is forced to wear the scarlet letter on her chest because of her sin. The letter is described as flaming not only because it is the color red but also because it burns with the flames from hell, which is people go after death to pay for their sins.

DJ 15.
Pg 72. "... where the wildness of her nature might assimilate itself with a people whose customs and life were alien from the law that has condemned her..."

This is a foreshadow to what Pearl is going to be like. She has a wild nature that is not socially acceptable. Her internal law is one that nature and the wilderness has put in her. This can also be connected to Emerson because although not people wouldn't approve of what she believes in, she doesn't what she wants anyway.