entry four: chapters 18-end theme

       Forgiveness                                               
  "The struggle, if there were one, need not be described. Let it suffice, that the clergyman resolved to flee, and not alone" (138, Nathaniel Hawthorne). 
       Dimmesdale is finally forgivng himself for his sin and is happy. he and Hester have decided t run away with pearl and live as a family. Away from the towns people and all their judgements. Dimmesdale has ended his mental suffering by forgiving himself and in turn that ended his physical suffering. 








Judgement
“Let us not look back,” answered Hester Prynne. “The past is gone! Wherefore should we linger upon it now? See! With this symbol, I undo it all, and make it as it had never been!” (138, Nathaniel Hawthorne). 
Hester finally lets go of the judgement that the town had given her. She is free at last to do what she pleases without having the scarlet letter as a constant reminder of her sin and the judgement that the town has gicven her. How the whole town had shunned her and condemned her to be alone for the rest of her life. 


Romantic view of life

"And, as if the gloom of the earth and sky had been but the effluence of these two mortal hearts, it vanished with their sorrow. All at once, as with a sudden smile of Heaven, forth burst the sunshine, pouring a very flood into the obscure forest, gladdening each green leaf, transmuting the yellow fallen ones to gold, and gleaming adown the gray trunks of the solemn trees. The objects that had made a shadow hitherto, embodied the brightness now. The course of the little brook might be traced by its merry gleam afar into the wood’s heart of mystery, which had become a mystery of joy" ( 139, Nathaniel Hawthorne). 
         We see how Dimmesdale and Hester see the world in a whole new light. Appreciating nature. They see the beauty in the trees and the brook and the leaves. They smile to the Heavans with a newfound joy. They are happy to be alive, happy to be free together. All their pain and grief is no longer, only joy remains. 

“You wrong yourself in this,” said Hester, gently. “You have deeply and sorely repented. Your sin is left behind you, in the days long past. Your present life is not less holy, in very truth, than it seems in people’s eyes. Is there no reality in the penitence thus sealed and witnessed by good works? And wherefore should it not bring you peace?” (131, Nathaniel Hawthorne). 
        The only thing that Dimmesdale feels is penitance, he contiuously tries to repent for the sin he has committed. he makes himself physically ill because he can not forgive himself. He is full of regret and self hatred. It's the onoly thing he can think about, een Hester notices how bad it has gotten. Not only does Dimmesdale feel extremely bad, he has no one to talk with about his sin. 

In our lives today judgement is a very big thing that is given constantly. People are always judging others based on looks, and actions. Sometimes these judgements are wrong based on misuderstandings, other times the judgements could be spot on. I don't think people repents enough for their wrongdoings, too many people never take responsibilty for their actions and delude themselves into thinking that they were the victims in every situation, which in fact they are the total opposite.