Jack and Gwyneth- Reverend Dimmsdale

Character Sketches: Rev. Dimmesdale (Group 5)

For homework, I asked you to mark initial descriptions/depictions of the following characters.

In pairs/threes, get down as many traits, behaviors, physical details as possible. Be sure to include at least 2 quotations. Otherwise, you may summarize.

REVEREND DIMMSDALE

Group 5: pg. 59-62

Young Clergy Man, smart (went to a great English University)

“He was a person of very striking aspect, with a white, lofty, and impending brow, large, brown, melancholy eyes, and a mouth which, unless when he forcibly compressed it, was apt to be tremulous, expressing both nervous sensibility and a vast power of self-restraint,” (Hawthorne 59).

“The young pastors voice was tremulous sweet, rich, deep, and broken. The feeling that it so evidently manifested, rather than the direct purport of the words, caused it to vibrate within all hearts, and brought the listeners into one accord of sympathy,” (64).

Hawthorny Romance:

In your section, find any examples you can of romantic elements (going by Hawthorne’s definition of a romance novel).

“I have sought, I say, to persuade this godly youth that he should deal with you, here in the face of heaven, and before these wise and upright rulers…” (62).

God is supernatural and Reverend is saying that he persuaded god to work with Her in the face of Heaven.

Hawthorny Themes:

What central themes (from any of the Wordles) come up in your section?