The Scarlet Letter

16

A Forest Walk

"When her elf-child had departed, Hester Prynne made a step or two towards the track that led through the forest, but still remained under the deep shadow of the trees. She beheld the minister advancing along the path, entirely alone, and leaning on a staff which he had cut by the way-side. He looked haggard and feeble, and betrayed a nerveless despondency in his air, which had never so remarkably characterized him in his walks about the settlement, nor in any other situation where he deemed himself liable to notice. Here it was wofully visible, in this intense seclusion of the forest, which of itself would have been a heavy trial to the spirits. There was a listlessness in his gait; as as if he saw no reason for taking one step farther, nor felt any desire to do so, but would have been glad, could he be glad of any thing, to fling himself down at the root of the nearest tree, and lie there passive for evermore."

My response:

I think this passage was very sad because, when the minister and Hester weren't involved immorally, I'm sure he was very healthy in regards to his emotional state. Now that it's been years since he and Hester committed adultery, it's slowly degrading his heart, because it's been kept secret for 7 or more years. I think his description is what really tells of how he's not fairing health wise, because he looks "haggard" as Hester described, and worn down like he stopped taking care of himself. I think this book is just depressing, but interesting in the sense one wants to know what happens at the end, so one MUST keep reading. :)

Edward's Experiment

A passage from Twilight:
"Edward hesitated to test himself, to see if this was safe, to make sure he was still in control of his need.
And then his cold, marble lips pressed very softly against mine.
Blood boiled under my skin, burned in my lips. My breath came in a wild gasp. My fingers knotted in his hair, clutching him to me. My lips parted as I breathed in his heady scent.
Immediately I felt him turn to unresponsive stone beneath my lips. His hands gently, but with irresistible force, pushed my face back. I opened my eyes and saw his guarded expression."


So, the subject of this passage is that of Edward's and Bella's first kiss. The purpose is to show how much Bella already loves him, and also that she loses her marbles and self-control because of it. The audience of this book, especially this passage, is directed at teenagers. Duh. What teen doesn't love a good steamy, dramatic, and adventurous book? I know this part of the chapter is about their kiss, because it's the most exciting, or in other words, the climax. When Bella loses control and attacks Edward, that shows she's passionately already in love with the Vampire (blood sucking, capable of murder quicker than a blink of the eye, Edward). Also, teens love romance books. Ha.

The Brief Bedford Reader

Disability - Nancy Mairs
"Take it from me, physical disability looms pretty large in one's life. But it doesn't devour one wholly. I'm not, for instance, Ms. MS, a walking, talking embodiment of a chronic incurable degenerative disease. In most ways I'm just like every other woman of my age, nationality, and socioeconomic background. I menstruate, so I have to buy tampons. I worry about smoker's breath, so I buy mouthwash. I smear my wrinkling skin with lotions. I put bleach in the washer so my family's undies won't be dingy. I drive a car, talk on the telephone, get runs in my pantyhose, eat pizza. In most ways, that is, I'm the advertiser's dream: Ms. Great American Consumer. And yet the advertisers, who determine nowadays who will get represented publicly and who will not, deny the existence of me and my kind absolutely."


My Response:
I love this paragraph, because she's standing up for the fact she has a disability! She's saying to the world exactly what happens to her and people around that are also disabled. She's not afraid to say what's on her mind, because she's right for one thing, and we as a people have a freedom to speak freely. She's saying all kinds of things she does that shows she's really no different. The same goes for African Americans. Just because they're of a different color, they're different? NO! They are the same as any white, red, black, or brown person. I think this paragraph is what most people don't get to see from the other side of things. I feel differently and I think a lot of people who might see this, do too. And if they don't, then they should.