Romanticism in Chapters 21 & 22

One example of chiaroscuro is the way that Hester and Pearl dress at the procession.  The dull, gray clothes that Hester wears relate her solemness.  The bright clothes that Pearl wears show how excited and energetic she is (197-198)

The marketplace can been seen as a symbol of the Puritan community.  They all meet their as a collective environment as described in Chapter 21 when the people are gathered for the procession.

An example of relative perspective is when everyone is inside of the church listening to Dimmesdale's Election Sermon, and Hester and Pearl are outside.  All that they hear is his, "vocal organ" going up and down. (210-211)

Another example of relative perspective is when the military men who entered the city were playing music with their
instruments, which were addressed to the multitude; saying "That of imparting a higher and more heroic air to the scene of life than passes before the eye."(Pg205) Which is really saying how the people are looking at Dimmesdale as some one who can do no wrong but yet has committed adultery with Hester. It also says "It might might be questioned whether Mr. Dimmesdale even heard the music."(Pg207) This impart tells how Dimmesdale knew nothing, or even heard anything of what was going on around him; but he carried the spiritual element along, unconscious of the burden.

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