Chapter 3 : The Recognition

The title of this chapter arouses curiosity from the start because I wonder who recognizes who.im hoping its Hester and her lover but here comes another turn while she stands at the scaffold, Hester’s eyes comes across a familiar face. Although it’s not revealed who she comes across it gives a great reason to speculate as to whom Hester sees. The stranger is described as a small and old man with a ‘furrowed visage ‘and claims to be a wanderer. Hawthorne’s description is as mysterious as his introduction to his characters. Moreover we see some official people like revered john Wilson and reverend Dimmesdale.i like how Hawthorne has built a high reputation of Reverend Dimmesdale. His striking personality, impending brow, and large, brown melancholy eyes assure me although not fully that Dimmesdale is an important character. Also his keen attempts towards Hester to reveal the name of the man depicts that he’s not satisfied with Hester & Pearl suffering alone. Furthermore I feel in this chapter the atmosphere becomes a bit chaotic firstly because the new “deformed” immigrant starts questioning about Hester and secondly because Dimmesdale’s speech to make Hester realize that she’s doing no great by keeping his name a secret, rather only “tempting him to do more sin” touches everyone to such an extent that the society also feels sympathetic towards Hester and her daughter for the very first time.

It was whispered, by those who peered after her, that the scarlet letter threw a lurid gleam along the dark passage way of the interior.

After taking a firm decision to not reveal his name at the scaffold Hester along with Pearl returns and the ‘lurid gleam’ from the scarlet letter gives little hope amongst this sad atmosphere. I like how Hawthorne has portrayed that Hester can light up the darkest of places; it just gives positive vibes and makes me believe that Hester will be triumphant in the end.