Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Chapter 13-14
In Chapter 13, Hawthorne says, "The rulers and the wise and learned men of the community were longer in acknowledging the influence of Hester's good qualities than the people....Thus it was with the men of rank, on whom their eminent position imposed the guardianship of the public morals." Do you think the community leaders were justified in a sternenr stance than regular citizens of the community? Why?
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Yes i think the community leaders were justified in their sterner stance on the treatment of Hester. The rulers are supposed to represent the law and set an example of how people should act according to the law. Seven years before, Hester was publically embarassed and sentenced to wear the scarlet letter on her chest for the rest of her life. At first she was shunned by the community but as years passed, they became more accepting of her good qualitites. Regular citizens are easier to forgive this infraction of the law because in their opinion, Hester has made up for her sins with her good deed. But the community leaders still view her as a violators of laws that they are supposed to enforce.
ReplyDeleteI agree that the community leaders should hold a sterner stance on the treatment of Hester. The leaders are the one's who are expected to have power and authority. They set examples and laws to abide by. Hester was humiliated when she stood on the scaffold for three hours. The community ignored Hester,but they became more accepting when they saw her goodness. The leaders still see Hester for the sins she made; however, the community sees her as a woman who is making progress. They see the good things she is doing for the poor.
ReplyDeleteI believe that the community leaders were justified in their sterner stance against Hester than the regular citizens because the community officials were responsible for the punishment of committing the sin of adultery. Being, an official of the community you were expectedd to stay true to what you originally said. But the common citizens saw all of the good Hester was doing in the community and believed that it had made up for her sin and respected her and some actually appreciated her.
ReplyDeleteYes I do think the community leaders were justified in their more stern stance towards Hester. The leaders are suppose to be the people that set examples for everyone to live by. They had to be harsher to Hester than everyone else to show the others that adultery is not something that can be taken lightly. Everyday citizens are more easy to forgive Hester because it is their own personal view on her. The leader have to be a living example, so they cling to the hatred longer than most.
ReplyDeleteI believe that the community leaders were justified in their sterner stance against Hester. The community leaders represent the law enforcement of the community, and are in charge of all sentances. If these officials were to show that they can be manipulated and become less severe, then they appear weak with little power. The officials must stay true to their word because they lay the foundation for punishment. The citizens showed sympathy for Hester after all her good deeds, and believed her sentence should be softened. Citizens of the community understood what she went through and feel she learned her lesson.
ReplyDeleteI believe community leaders were taken about in a more direct stance than citizens because of the recognition supposedly owned by leaders. People of a higher power are supposed to be the ones setting rules and having people abide by them.
ReplyDeleteYes, I do think the community leaders were justified to have a sterner stance than regular citizens do. They were the ones in charge and dealt the most with victims like Hester. They regulate the laws and might even choose the punishment of the person who committed the crime. So the people that do that should have a more sterner stance then the rest of the community because of the power they have.
ReplyDeleteYes I believe that they were justified. Normal citizens are naturally less harsh as they have a different perspective because they know the people on a personal level. The community leaders have to take out all emotional distractions to make a decision which is what they did in the case of Hester.
ReplyDeleteI do believe that the community leaders were justified to have a sterner stance than citizens. Community leaders control the law and are looked up to as role models. If they didn't have a stern stance than the citizens wouldn't respect their opinions. They are justified to have more power,in order for a society to function.
ReplyDeleteYes, I do think the community leaders are justified to have a sterner stance than citizens. They have the power and the ruling of everything in the community. They are suppose to be the ones setting an example for others in the town. By doing what they did to Hester is showing everyone that they have the control of everything in the town and it shows the townspeople what to do or what not to do. Hester was a huge example for everyone.
ReplyDeleteNo, I dont think it was justified that they took a lot longer to accept Hester and that the punishment was too much. They were originally justified in that the crime was comitted and they carried it out. As time went along though, they could see just like everyone else that Hester is not doing anything wrong, shes sewn items for the majority of the town, and she was even charitable to the poor. The Town leaders saw all of that and didnt want to accept that their penalty of the scarlet letter on her chest was a bit too much.
ReplyDeleteLeaders in the community are harsher in punishment because they must hold all citizens to the same standard. I definetely think they were justified in their unrelenting criticism because they allowed her a less severe punishment. Instead of the usual execution for adultry she had to stand on a scaffold for three hours and then wear a scarlet A for the rest of her life. She began sewing for the poor and doing good deeds this gained her public forgiveness. Although they still were hesitant to accept her but held no hostile feelings toward her. The leaders were last to warm up because they required more proof of change than the citizens did to forgive her.
ReplyDeleteI think the community leaders should have a sterner stance because they are the ones who decide and carry out punishments. If they weren't this way anyone breaking laws would have lenient punishments. If the community held a sterner stance they would rebel against the ruling of the leaders and cause a huge rebellion.
ReplyDeleteI believe that since these officials that are held to a higher standard themselves, they feel the need to hold the everyone to the same standard. They know if they were to do something like hester did, they'd be completley torn appart. So i think that they were justified in their harsh stance
ReplyDeleteI believe that the communtiy leaders are definitely justified in their sterner stance against Hester. The leaders of the communtiy are the people who are supposed to be setting an example for everyone in the communtiy. Sin cannot go unpunished or unforgotten because if it did then it would destroy the basis on which their society was built on. Therefore, this is why the communtiy leaders are justified in their sterner stance towards Hester.
ReplyDeleteI do believe the community leaders were justified in their sterner stance because the leaders are the ones that set the standards for the community and represent the law. If the community saw that they were not stern and did not hold their ground, it would make the community believe that they could get away with things and would not have as much respect for the leaders.
ReplyDeleteI think the community leaders were justified in a sterner stance than regular citizens of the community. The officials and leaders are supposed to set an example as well as being held to power. Hester had to stand on the scaffold and be made fun of and have a stamp representing her sin on every piece of clothing she owned. Townspeople began to see that she has improved and changed; it is their own outlook on the situation so they can decide what they want. Officials need to protect the law and stand up for what they decided the rightful punishment was in the first place. If they go against it and forgive her people will begin thinking the law is something they can slide around and isn't taken that seriously. That is why they need to have a stricter standing.
ReplyDeleteI believe the leaders of the town had the right to hold a sterner stance for the accused (Hester). They set the standards for the rest of the towns people. If the leaders of the town would have forgave Hester right away the towns people would have forgot what she did. By waiting a little while to ease up on her they let the town know what she did was wrong, but also let them know they will forgive.
ReplyDeleteI believe that the town leaders had every right to hold a sterner stance with Hester. They do this so they can set the standard of what they expect from the people of their town. If they didn't do this, there would really be no other way to hold anyone accountable, and a lot of hypocrisy could arise from them not treating every case the same, regardless of circumstances. They are justified in their actions, and it is up to them to make sure that the town knows to what standards to hold themselves to.
ReplyDeleteThe leaders were right to keep there sterner stance. Even though Hester had been doing good with her sewing. They kept to what they had said prior. Although the citizens were quick to forget her previous sins. Which is a typical trait of amateur citizens. They didn't understand the obligations of their leaders and how they had to stick to what they said the first time.
ReplyDeleteThe community leaders had the right to hold a sterner stance against Hester and her accusations. They are the ones that are supposed to set a high example for the rest of the community and therefore they needed to have a strong oppinion about Hester. If the leaders did not have such a high standards for the rest of the community they would think that they could get a way with a lot more and there could be chaos. By holding a sterner stance they are representing how the rest of the town should behave also.
ReplyDeleteAs leaders they should be more stern then the rest of the community, however if the community sees good in her the so should the leaders. Im not saying they need to completely let up and let her act like the rest of them, however i am saying they should treat her a little bit more like a member of the community and less like an outcast, shes proven over the years that she is worthy of forgivness.
ReplyDeleteYes i think the community leaders were justified in a sterner stance than regular citizens of the community. Because as the community leaders they have to be very stern, to show that their laws are very strict. If they have lightened up on Hester, the townspeople would think they could sin without that much of a punishment. They are setting an example to the townspeople, and showing them that they have order.
ReplyDeleteYes I think the community leaders were justified in a sterner stance than the regular citizens in a community because they were the people who made the laws and who people looked up to to follow and to learn from. If one of the leaders or rule makers is being hypocritic and making rules and making people live up to them by means of punishment, then I believe it is absolutely necessary that if that very same person does what he punished someone else for that he be punished just as hard, if not harder.
ReplyDeleteYes because the leaders are held up to a higher standard and must live up to the standards by which they are judged. They are expected to be nearly perfect people in this community so they must be judge harder than the rest of the community to keep up their reputation.
ReplyDeleteCommunity leaders are qualified people who are carefully selected to help preserve the law and make sure it is respected by every member of the society. However regular citizens usually know what a prisoner is going through, they know how it feels to be powerless. On the other hand, leaders do not know that feeling. In the Scarlett letter, the leaders who judged Hester always had the same point of view. Vis-a-vis the villagers, who started to define the A that once standed for adultery as A that stands for Able.
ReplyDeleteYes I do think that the community leaders where justified.They are helded to higher standards and are expected to know the laws. They had to be stern so that the towns people didnt take sin litely. They could not be hypocritical. By litening the punishment for anyone. I believe that maybe community leaders should be punished the same if not harder, because they should know the laws and abide by them
ReplyDeleteI believe that the community was right in their judgement of Hester. The community leaders are the law enforcement of the city their in, and are in charge of all disciplines. If these community officals show that they can be controlled by others then they appear weak with little power, and appear that they are actually controlled by someone else. The foundation of their punishments must stay firm or they'll be treated with less respect from others. The citizens showed apathy for Hester after all her good attributes, and believed her sentence should be decreased, with less severity. The community seems like they know what she went through and feel almost entilted to forgive her.
ReplyDeleteCommunity leaders are people who set examples for the rest of the town so i believe that they are justified in the stern approach they took on Hester.They did not want the people of the town to not take this sin seriously therefore they needed to be harsh. I think that leaders of the community should be held to higher standards and should be punished equally becasue if they are a leader they should live the laws not just make them.
ReplyDeleteI do believe that the community leaders were justified. Everybody looks up to community leaders and follow what they do. If some community leaders do not abide by the rules then the townspeople wont take them serious.
ReplyDeleteThe community leaders rule the community, therefor, yes, I do think they are justified to have a sterner stance than the citizens. The rules that are set by the community leaders are what everyone follows. And if the leaders themselves don't follow those rules, what's going to make everyone else think that they should?
ReplyDeleteThe community leaders are more justified to be stern as they set an example. As time passed,the people have adjusted and begun to accept Hester in a way. The communtiy leaders now must enforce the law and stand strong or else they can be taken advantage of.
ReplyDeleteI believe that community leaders were justified on a sterner stance than the regular citizens. I think that the leaders should follow and enforce the law in their community. The community leaders should set an example for the citizens around them. They should treat everyone equally in the community and not favor one person. They should also be treated equally when dealing with the law.
ReplyDeleteI agree that the leaders were justified because they are the figureheads of the small society and so they needed to show authority. If they do so then the community is less likely to revolt or show inappropriate actions. If people begin to not recognize Hester then her punishment is useless. Its purpose is to remind her of her sins by making her an outcast. So if the leaders hold a stern position in her punishment then it will keep its purpose.
ReplyDeleteThe communuity leaders were justified because they are the rule setters. If they just let an unlawful event slide then the community will realize that they can do anything they choose to do. The community was about to forgive Hester because of the long period of time that passed without any more infractions but the leaders have to stay true to the punishment they initially laid out.
ReplyDeleteI agree that the community leaders were justified because they have the power to make rules. If they let one person do something wrong they have to do it for everyone. If they don't enforce the law there is no point of making one. The leaders need to follow through on the punishments Hester faced because if they don't it'll show their weakness.
ReplyDeleteYes I think the community leaders had to be strict because if they give in they look weak and look like they shouldn't be in that type of position, they have to set the laws and keep word by them.
ReplyDeleteI think the community leaders had to be strict because they shouldnt set up laws and have them only apply to a couple people. They should enforce the law to everyone if not there is no point in have a law.
ReplyDeleteI do believe that the community leaders held a stern stance on the treatment of Hester. She broke a law that was very serious in the community and was punished. Hester took her punishment seriously and has obeyed all the rules since. The community shunned her but she still tried to do all she could to make her sins go away and to be viewed as a good person again. Hester realizes what she did was wrong but has/is making up for what she did.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the views of the community leaders because Hester commited what was considered a huge crime in the town, and she had to be punished for it so nobody else would follow her example.
ReplyDeleteYes, I do think the community leaders were justified in a sterner stance than regular citizens in of the community. They are looked at as a higher power and to set an example of what should and should not be done. In order for the citizens to obey the laws that are set, they must show a sign of authority and stick to the punishment.
ReplyDeleteYes i think the community leaders were justified in their stance on the treatment of Hester. The rulers represent law and set examples of how people should act according to the law. Seven years previous to this event, Hester was life sentenced to wear the scarlet letter on her chest. At first she was shunned by the community, but as years passed, the community became more accepting of her good qualities she brings to the table. Regular citizens are easier to forgive her because in their opinion, Hester has made up for her sins with her good deed. Unfortunetly, the community leaders still view her as a person who broke the law that they need to enforce.
ReplyDeleteYes, I think the community leaders were justified in their sterner stance on the treatment of Hester. I think that the leaders should follow and enforce the law in their community. If they didn't have a stern stance than the citizens wouldn't respect their opinions. So thats why their leaders are respected.
ReplyDeleteI believe that at this point the court should have removed the letter. Yes, she commited a crime, but she has helped the town with her sewing, she never does anything wrong, never acts out towards those who treat her badly, and even does charity work. Any sensible person can see she is a good person who just made a mistake, and should not be punished to the extent that she has been.
ReplyDeleteI believe the community leaders at this point were justified by the sterner treatment of Hester. Hester has been accepted by the community, obeyed the laws and has acknoleged her past transgressions, but in the eyes of the community leaders, she is still the same women condemed for a hanus crime and must be punished accordingly.
ReplyDeleteYes, I agree that the community leaders were justified by the sterner stance of Hester. Town people started seeing the goodness in Hester, and the things she have done to make up for her guilts and sins. But since the community leaders held higher positions then the town people, still think she is the same old Hester that had commited adultury instead of seeing who she is and what she have done right now.
ReplyDeleteI say community leaders should have a sterner stance becuase they are the ones who make the decisions and carry out peoples punishments. If they dont do that, everybody would be breaking laws and we would have lenient punishments. If the community held a stronger stance they would rebel against the ruling of the leaders and cause huge rebillious activity.
ReplyDeleteNo, I dont think it was justified that they took a longer time to accept Hester and that the punishment was uncalled for. They were, in he beginning, justified in that the crime was comitted and they continued to do it. As the story went on, they could accept like the rest of the town that Hester is not doing anything wrong, she has sewn things for most of the town, and she even donated to the poor. The leaders of the town saw this and didnt want to accept that their punishment of the scarlet letter was too harsh.
ReplyDeleteYes, i think it was justfiyed by the senior court because it was something they put much thought into, to come up with the conclusion. Obviusly they knew best so there descions was right. They accumlated the fact that Hester was nothing more than a woman who could knit, who also had a child.
ReplyDeleteRosmery Nerey 3rd.
ReplyDeleteYes, I think the community leaders were justified in their decisions taken against Hester. As the rulers, they had to be an example of justice and make the sinners pay for their sins but, since Hester had changed; she was now doing good things and even the town's people appreciated her, I think the senior court should had have pardon her for her sin.
Yes, i think it was justified in their decisions. They put a lot of thought into what happened. They wondered who she was and what she had.
ReplyDeletePearl is not child like because of the situation she was put into. With being isolated with just her Mom (an adult figure) she is now forced to grow up. She might be angry because she doesn’t have any outlets, she does not have any friends to be with, or to hang out with. This could be a realistic trait that she is angry with her mother because Pearl can only blame her mother for putting her in this situation. And lots of young children throw temper tantrums its part of being a kid.
ReplyDeleteBrielle Schiff- I do think that the civilized figures in the town were more harsh due to their position in the toqn. Also when they wanted to take Pearl away from Hester really made a impact on my thinking that they were were concerned about it then the towspeople because they wanted to ride Pearl from Hester while the townspeople just talked bad about the situation.
ReplyDeleteyes, because the towns people were harsh once they knew about Hester's fault. They din't care who she was or where she came from, they just hated her from the beginning and didn't even give her a chance until the end when she started to make good decisions.
ReplyDelete