Chapter 12 Analysis
Hawthorne uses varied syntax to characterize Dimmesdale. The author writes “The same platform or scaffold, black and weather-stained with the storm or sunshine or seven long years, and a footworn, too, with the tread of many culprits who had since ascended it, remained standing beneath the balcony of the meeting-house. The minister went up the steps” (Hawthorne 133). In this example, he contrasts a 42-word sentence with a 6-word sentence. The description of the scaffold is used to characterize Dimmesdale. Dimmesdale embodies everything that has been just described in the 42-word sentence. He has been through his own personal “storm” of guilt, “sunshine” of people’s view of him and 7 long years of keeping his sin a secret. The longer sentence also characterizes Dimmesdale as a criminal because the sentence ends with talking about the criminals ascending the scaffold and then goes right to Dimmesdale going up the steps almost following the criminal’s footsteps.
The author also utilizes polysyndeton. When describing who would come forth and see Dimmesdale on the scaffold when morning broke, Hawthorne writes:
“ Old Governor Bellingham would come grimly forth, with his King James’s ruff fastened askew; and Mistress Hibbins with some twigs of the forest clinging to her skirts, and looking sourer than ever, as having hardly got a wink of sleep after her night ride; and good Father Wilson, too, after spending half the night at a death bed, and liking ill to be disturbed, thus early, out of his dreams about the glorified saints. Hither, likewise, would come the elders and deacons of Mr. Dimmesdales’ church, and the young virgins who so idolized their minister, and had made a shrine for him in their white bosoms.” (Hawthorne 138)
The excessive use of the word “and” creates an overwhelming feeling. The author is listing all the people that would come to see him on the scaffold which explains how many people that they reverend is lying to and also how many people the reverend would let down if he came clean. Hawthorne uses polysyndeton in chapter twelve to explain the multitude of people that are unaware of Dimmesdale’s sin.
Once Hester and Pearl join the Reverend on the scaffold, the author describes how “The three formed an electric chain” (Hawthorne 139). The use of vivid imagery here gives an idea of how these three people just naturally go together. The use of the word electric shows how powerful their bond was. The word electric provokes imagery electric fences, which are almost impossible to break up and break apart. That imagery helps to characterize their relationship. The use of the word chain shows how strong their bond was. The word provokes an idea of prison chains, which are hard to break apart as well. The use of both words together again just characterizes the strength of the bond between Dimmesdale, Pearl and Hester.
The author also utilizes polysyndeton. When describing who would come forth and see Dimmesdale on the scaffold when morning broke, Hawthorne writes:
“ Old Governor Bellingham would come grimly forth, with his King James’s ruff fastened askew; and Mistress Hibbins with some twigs of the forest clinging to her skirts, and looking sourer than ever, as having hardly got a wink of sleep after her night ride; and good Father Wilson, too, after spending half the night at a death bed, and liking ill to be disturbed, thus early, out of his dreams about the glorified saints. Hither, likewise, would come the elders and deacons of Mr. Dimmesdales’ church, and the young virgins who so idolized their minister, and had made a shrine for him in their white bosoms.” (Hawthorne 138)
The excessive use of the word “and” creates an overwhelming feeling. The author is listing all the people that would come to see him on the scaffold which explains how many people that they reverend is lying to and also how many people the reverend would let down if he came clean. Hawthorne uses polysyndeton in chapter twelve to explain the multitude of people that are unaware of Dimmesdale’s sin.
Once Hester and Pearl join the Reverend on the scaffold, the author describes how “The three formed an electric chain” (Hawthorne 139). The use of vivid imagery here gives an idea of how these three people just naturally go together. The use of the word electric shows how powerful their bond was. The word electric provokes imagery electric fences, which are almost impossible to break up and break apart. That imagery helps to characterize their relationship. The use of the word chain shows how strong their bond was. The word provokes an idea of prison chains, which are hard to break apart as well. The use of both words together again just characterizes the strength of the bond between Dimmesdale, Pearl and Hester.