The Scarlet Letter- How does the reverend Mr. Wilson interpret the baby's response to Dimmesdale's entreaty? What significance do you think the baby's response may have?
In order to analyze how the reverend Mr. Wilson interprets the baby's response to Dimmesdale's entreaty in "The Scarlet Letter," let's first understand the context. In this novel by Nathaniel Hawthorne, the main character, Reverend Dimmesdale, struggles with guilt and secrecy surrounding his relationship with Hester Prynne, who has committed adultery and has a child as a result.
To answer this question, it is essential to refer to the specific scene involving Mr. Wilson and the baby's response. After Reverend Dimmesdale pleads with Hester to reveal the name of the child's father, he asks the baby to speak up on the matter. However, the baby remains silent.
The interpretation of the baby's response by Mr. Wilson is subjective and open to interpretation. One way to approach it is to consider Mr. Wilson as a representative of the Puritan society's religious authority. The silence of the baby could be viewed as a sign of divine judgement or disapproval, indicating that the child is illegitimate and tainted by Hester's sin. It may reinforce the community's belief in the moral consequences of adultery and the need for public confession and repentance.
However, it is also possible to interpret the baby's silence from a different perspective. The silence might be seen as an innocent response devoid of moral judgment. It could suggest that the child is untouched by society's expectations and prejudices, highlighting the innocence and purity of young children.
The significance of the baby's response also depends on an individual reader's interpretation. It could represent the clash between society's expectations and the untainted nature of the innocent child. Additionally, the baby's silence might strengthen the moral dilemma faced by Reverend Dimmesdale, intensifying the internal struggle that drives the narrative.
To develop a more comprehensive analysis of the scene and explore various interpretations, it is recommended to refer to the novel's text or consult literary criticisms and commentaries. These sources may provide further insights into the specific interpretations of Mr. Wilson and the potential significance of the baby's response in "The Scarlet Letter."