I need some help. I don't really know the answer to one of our questions, so I'll ask here. This comes from Chapters 1-4. Please help if you can!Thanks!
6. How does the Reverend Mr. Wilson interpret the baby's response to Dimmesdale's entreaty? What signifigance do you think the baby's response may have?
"That little babe hath been gifted with a voice, to second and confirm the counsel which thou hast heard." Sure sound to me like Mr Wilson thought the baby wanted Hester to name the father.
What do I think the baby said? I am reminded of McBeth's words as the baby raised her arms as if to speak...
To-morrow, and to-morrow, and to-morrow,
Creeps in this petty pace from day to day
To the last syllable of recorded time,
And all our yesterdays have lighted fools
The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle!
Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage
And then is heard no more: it is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing.
But it does not matter what I think, what do you think?
Use the site below and read the analysis of chapters 1-3. You should also look at the character analyses.
http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/scarlet/
Based on the quote you provided from the Reverend Mr. Wilson, it appears he interprets the baby's response to Dimmesdale's entreaty as a confirmation or support of the counsel Dimmesdale had heard. In this case, it seems that Mr. Wilson believed the baby's response indicated that Hester should reveal the name of the father. However, it's important to note that interpretations may vary, and each reader may have a different understanding of the significance of the baby's response.
To get a more comprehensive analysis and understanding of this scene, you can refer to the provided website, SparkNotes, for "The Scarlet Letter." On the site, you should read the analysis of chapters 1-3 and the character analyses. These resources will provide you with insights, explanations, and interpretations offered by scholars and experts about the events and characters in the book. This will give you a better understanding of the Reverend Mr. Wilson's interpretation of the baby's response and its potential significance within the context of the story.