Chapter 22: Rhetorical Devices
“The Procession” is the chapter that puts all the pieces into position for the final climax of the novel. The whole chapter is dedicated to foreshadowing the events that reveal the bond between Hester and Dimmesdale to the community of New England. For this reason it seems like Hawthorne takes great pains to describe the atmosphere of the actual procession. Hawthorne explains how the show of strength from the monarchy overpowers everything else in the surrounding area and also displays his disgust for people who have attained power without having to work hard, or even have a good level of intelligence. Hawthorne states that, “These primitive statesmen…. Who were elevated to power by the early choice of the people, seem to have been not often brilliant, but distinguished by a ponderous sobriety, rather than activity of intellect.” This use of aphorism provides the reader with some information regarding the social structure of the era.
Hawthorne’s disgust of the formation of the upper-class is evident throughout this description, and this leads to the appearance of Dimmesdale at the end of the procession. Dimmesdale’s appearance is quite striking compared to the character who is seemingly on the verge of death the entire novel. The diction that Hawthorne uses to describe Dimmesdale portrays someone of remarkable strength at first, but this strength is only coming from his planned reveal, “Yet, if the clergyman were rightly viewed, his strength seemed not of the body. It might be spiritual, and imparted to him by angelic ministrations.” Hawthorne then continues to add to the perceived strength of Dimmesdale until foreshadowing his sudden death, “Men of uncommon intellect, who have grown morbid, possess this occasional power of mighty effort, into which they throw the life of many days, and then are lifeless for as many more.” This dramatically changes the tone from superior and powerful, to misjudged and doomed. Hawthorne confirms this shift in tone by communicating a change of heart from Hester, who wonders if leaving to Europe with Dimmesdale would be wise after all.
Perhaps the greatest use of rhetoric in chapter 22 is the irony employed by Hawthorne during Dimmesdale’s sermon. At the time Dimmesdale’s audience doesn’t know that he bears the Scarlet Letter, yet his sermon is all the more powerful due to his anguish over his sin, “if the auditor listened intently, and for the purpose, he could detect the same cry of pain… It was this profound and continual undertone that gave the clergyman his most appropriate power.” Ironically the only person who can truly comprehend Dimmesdale’s sermon is Hester, who is supposedly the worst sinner in the audience. The irony with Dimmesdale’s sermon also continues to foreshadow his imminent death with every “cry of pain” during the sermon. Hawthorne ends the chapter by revealing the impending exposure of the second Scarlet Letter in chapter 23 through rhetorical question, “What imagination would have been irreverent enough to surmise that the same scorching stigma was on them both?”
“The Procession” is the chapter that puts all the pieces into position for the final climax of the novel. The whole chapter is dedicated to foreshadowing the events that reveal the bond between Hester and Dimmesdale to the community of New England. For this reason it seems like Hawthorne takes great pains to describe the atmosphere of the actual procession. Hawthorne explains how the show of strength from the monarchy overpowers everything else in the surrounding area and also displays his disgust for people who have attained power without having to work hard, or even have a good level of intelligence. Hawthorne states that, “These primitive statesmen…. Who were elevated to power by the early choice of the people, seem to have been not often brilliant, but distinguished by a ponderous sobriety, rather than activity of intellect.” This use of aphorism provides the reader with some information regarding the social structure of the era.
Hawthorne’s disgust of the formation of the upper-class is evident throughout this description, and this leads to the appearance of Dimmesdale at the end of the procession. Dimmesdale’s appearance is quite striking compared to the character who is seemingly on the verge of death the entire novel. The diction that Hawthorne uses to describe Dimmesdale portrays someone of remarkable strength at first, but this strength is only coming from his planned reveal, “Yet, if the clergyman were rightly viewed, his strength seemed not of the body. It might be spiritual, and imparted to him by angelic ministrations.” Hawthorne then continues to add to the perceived strength of Dimmesdale until foreshadowing his sudden death, “Men of uncommon intellect, who have grown morbid, possess this occasional power of mighty effort, into which they throw the life of many days, and then are lifeless for as many more.” This dramatically changes the tone from superior and powerful, to misjudged and doomed. Hawthorne confirms this shift in tone by communicating a change of heart from Hester, who wonders if leaving to Europe with Dimmesdale would be wise after all.
Perhaps the greatest use of rhetoric in chapter 22 is the irony employed by Hawthorne during Dimmesdale’s sermon. At the time Dimmesdale’s audience doesn’t know that he bears the Scarlet Letter, yet his sermon is all the more powerful due to his anguish over his sin, “if the auditor listened intently, and for the purpose, he could detect the same cry of pain… It was this profound and continual undertone that gave the clergyman his most appropriate power.” Ironically the only person who can truly comprehend Dimmesdale’s sermon is Hester, who is supposedly the worst sinner in the audience. The irony with Dimmesdale’s sermon also continues to foreshadow his imminent death with every “cry of pain” during the sermon. Hawthorne ends the chapter by revealing the impending exposure of the second Scarlet Letter in chapter 23 through rhetorical question, “What imagination would have been irreverent enough to surmise that the same scorching stigma was on them both?”