Finally reaching the end of this novel left me with a satisfied feeling. I wasn't satisfied that the story was over as if it was some task for me, but I was pleased with the way Hawthorne ended the novel. Hester and Dimmesdale reminded me of the song "I will follow you into the dark" by Death Cab for Cutie. The song is about two lovers, and their eventual deaths and alike Hester and Dimmesdale they are under the scrutiny of god. Hester and Dimmesdale don't know if they are going to be allowed into heaven after commiting adultery, but after death they are buried together so in a way Hester already followed Dimmesdale to death. She followed him into the dark and together they will spend the rest of their time there together. Like the minister in the black veil Dimmesdale had a secret sin. The minister was trying to teach people not to fear god, but that they anyone is vulenerable to him, even someone like a minister. If a man of god, whose job is to teach people the way of god sins what does that show the rest of us? The people in the book felt a sense of dire loyalty to Dimmesdale not accepting his sin not tarnishing his name. Out of not only respect for him, but for fear of what it would mean to them. God is all they have in this time, losing a man of god to sin shellshocks them more than any Hester Prynn ever could.
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I feel that the song is a perfect description of the end of the novel. The fact that Hester is buried with Dimmesdale really works with the song's name.
ReplyDeleteI agree that the song is a perfect fit for this point in the novel. If there were a soundtrack, it would definitely fit in right there.The line "if there's no one beside you when your soul embarks, then I'll follow you into the dark" describes Hester and Dimmesdale especially since like Karun said, she is buried with him. It really brings to life the meaning of I will follow you into the dark.
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