In chapter 11, Reverend Dimmesdale “longed to speak out, from his own pulpit, at the full height of his voice, and tell the people what he was. ‘I, whom you behold in these black garments of the priesthood,– I, who ascend the sacred desk, and turn my pale face heavenward, taking upon myself to hold […]
The Holy Spirit
In chapter 11, Hawthorne observes all that some of the Puritan fathers “lacked was the gift that descended upon the chosen disciples, at Pentecost, in tongues of flame…” ACTS 2 : 1-4 records “When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
A Law to Themselves
In chapter 10, Hawthorne shows Pearl “skipping, dancing, and frisking fantastically…It was as if she had been made afresh, out of new elements, and must perforce be permitted to live her own life, and be a law unto herself, without her eccentricities being reckoned to her for a crime.” The Apostle Paul assured the Romans […]
David and Bathsheba
In chapter nine, Hawthorne describes Reverend Dimmesdale’s apartment, carefully notes that “The walls were hung round with tapestry, said to be from the Gobelin looms, and, at all events, representing the Scriptural story of David and Bathsheba, and Nathan the Prophet…” The Biblical account of David’s sin of adultery with Bathsheba, followed by his sin […]
Streets of Gold
In chapter nine, the gravely ill Reverend Dimmesdale expresses his contentment with the prospect of death instead of accepting Roger Chillingworth’s medical treatment. Chillingworth’s replies, “Youthful men, not having taken a deep root, give up their hold of life so easily! And saintly men, who walk with God on earth, would fain be away, to […]