Antonia's First impression journal

Antonia's First impression journal

   Hester Prynne is the focal point of the story so far. She is the main subject of gossip. People speak about her making comments and creating disbelief and disapproval in the atmosphere. She marched into the prison with hateful glares all around and an embroidered A on her chest. She shows no shame as she walks through the crowds with an infant on her chest. Standing infront of a throng of people she maintains her cool. The man in charge tells her to go further into the crowd to show them what she has done. He attempts to shove her but she shoves back and with her will she takes her steps further. I think this shows that Hester is a very strong willed character and she will create many problems for herself during the story.

  The amount of detail describing the scarlet letter makes me aware that the letter on her chest is of significance and that this will be something of discussion in the town, The town is quite quiet and dull and the people in the story match the town except for a couple of the jail birds. Even though they were sitting in prison they felt discraced and ashamed at Hester's presense. They felt that she has no morals and shouldn't even be walking free. This shows me that moral being is of true importance to the people, and that even the lowest of the low should see this as a heinous crime. This also helps me sort of invision the time of this story because even though laws are still based on the bible and moral being today the story was based on a stricter time period.

Suddenly the crowds of people and humiliation started to take its tolls and Hester felt completely alone and wanted to burst. This shows a true change of character in a matter of minutes. Maybe it wasnt change of character, maybe it was just her true emotions showing their face. What ever it was started to blossom throughout the character. Her reflection started to bother her she didnt want to look at herself she started thinking back to when she was a child and things were not difficult. She started to doubt whether this were real of just an illusion. I believe this was something that shows the characters true inner thoughts and proves that things can get to her.

  Introduced new into the story was a gentleman.  This man was her refuge and escape of the situation but then became her dispare. I think that the man not being there for her really effected her negatively and made her lose hope.

  Over all I think that the book so far is intresting although is sometimes difficult to read it has true meaning to it and a tremendous plot.

my first impression- arige

 
   These unfamiliar words drive me crazy! My very first thought is what in the world is Nathaniel Hawthorne saying. I honestly repeatedly read the first page over and over because I could not follow; The Scarlet Letter is not a novel I am comfortable with. Though I did continue and found myself adjusting to the diction and becoming aware of what is going on. 

   The setting first took place in front of a huge building which was a prison when Hester Prynne was released. She is so far the main character and I found some interesting characteristics in her right away. Hester has committed adultery by cheating on her husband and she stood with her head up high walking down the streets, showing no shame. Back in the 1800s she might have been the only women to do so.  That shows Hester is very brave and also strong for having the guts to defend herself and push a man back while holding her baby with an A on her chest for the public to see. From what I have read so far the A represent adultery and back then that was a crime so something you can be arrested for.

   The tone in this book is just seriousness in tell this point. There may be some sarcasm that I’m not aware of because I’m still trying to adjust to the author’s style. This keeps the novel intense and keeps readers curious because there isn't any hints about  what might just happen.

 
   
 

Annon's First Impression Journal

First Impression Journal

The novel the scarlet letter is both interesting and fascinating. At first I was skeptic and critical about reading the scarlet letter. Some of the diction used was challenging and I couldn’t understand the words used such as throng. Although the words are from a different time period it made you feel as if you were a part of the story or an actual person in society during this time. The writer words enveloped you in the story. After doing some background research on the book I found that it would be exploring the topic of adultery, and would have a possible negative attitude.

 I know that in the period between the 1700s and 1800s if you committed adultery you were displaced in society and was shunned. This book takes place in between theses time periods and revolves around the life of Hester Prynne. In the beginning of the novel she appears to have been just let out of prison. In her hand she clutches a small infant child to her chest, and has the letter A sewed on to her chest.

As she walks people stare at her in disbelief and shame. She walks until she reaches a pedestal in front for all to see and climbs up, but remains silent. Hester can see the large crowd before her eyes motionless but unrelenting. She appears to be in the noose area of the square. At this point I assume that she will be hanged for committing treason by committing adultery. At this point little is known about this character.

 I feel a sense of heartfelt sincerity for her. What had she done to deserve such attention and the unrelenting eyes of so many? What will happen to her? Will she live? This book already has me hooked. I am very fascinated to see what will become of Hester Prynne, her story, and how she will be treated. Although it may be challenging.  I know I will be invested in this classic work of literature by Nathanael Hawthorne. 

  

Micah's First Impression Journal

First Impression Journal - Micah

The characters in the book “Scarlet Letter” that I have read so far are Hester Prynne which happens to be the main character and was publicly shamed for having committed adultery mentioned in the first few chapters of the novel. Another character is Pearl who’s Hester’s daughter with a man that people in town don’t know about of. Thirdly is Roger Chillingworth who’s a doctor and lastly Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale who’s the priest. My first impression of Hester Prynne is that she’s passionate but also strong, she endures years of shame. Hester is working as a sewer, making clothes and helping other’s necessities by bringing money into charities.
Pearl who is Hester’s’ daughter, my first impression of her is that she stays away from troubles and light-hearted. She is wise despite of her young age having to do with her Mother’s scarlet letter. However, I think Pearl can be an independent person when she grows up. Another character who is introduced so far in the book is Reverend Dimmesdale who emigrated to America specifically in Boston.
My first impression of Reverend is that he has a strong belief in his faith and doesn’t show off his feelings to the public towards Hester.
 The last one is Roger Chillingworth is caring because he seemed truthfully concerned for Hester’s safety and Pearl’s too when he disguises as to be doctor in the prison just to talk and fix about what had happened. Even though he longs for revenge he decides to stay in Boston despite of his wife’s betrayal and disgrace to him.

The overall tone of this piece is that its deep in thought and it’s from a third person and it has curious tone which only wants the readers to read it farther despite of its deep language. The setting of the classic novel "The Scarlet Letter" is that it takes place in Boston, England. The setting also goes into the cabin, where Hester and Pearl stay, the town and the prison.