Last year, there was a cheating scandal in an AP class among a group of five students. The planning to access the teacher's computer wasn't simple. Trying to find out when the teacher isn't in the room, but has his computer logged in? Following the teacher's schedule for a few days? Tough to pull off sneakily- it required a multiple cheaters to brainstorm, but only one idiot in the group to carry out the plans.
Reverend Dimmesdale and Hester Prynne are both partners in an infamous crime, one that would merit murder if a nobody of the town committed it. However, since Hester's husband is assumed deceased, her punishment is lightened to an "A". After her sentence, she carries more than just the embroidered letter around. She has the town's scorn, pity, and anger on her shoulders; she has the obnoxious wrath of children to deal with and disrespect from the poor she helps; she has to be isolated completely because she is an adulterer. Contrasted to how the village reacts to Dimmesdale's revelation, Hester's chastisement is unfair. Some claim that when he revealed his chest, there was nothing there- that it was symbolic for those who have sinned. Had he not willed himself to die, the townspeople would've granted him leniency because he is so respected, saving and helping and encouraging his congregation for years.
The teacher walked in as one student was printing off test answers. He was mad. However, the teacher didn't report him to administration because the student had so much going for himself, high marks, talented athlete, and compassionate volunteer, that he felt he deserved only a harsh reprimand, like Dimmedale would've gotten. And the other members? They weren't punished at all because "clearly" only that one student was to blame- like Hester.
I loved your repetition of "she has" in the second paragraph; it was very effective at showing how many things Hester had to deal with! I also liked how you arranged this post with half of the cheating story, then a connection to The Scarlet Letter, and then finished off your story.
ReplyDeleteI like your story of the cheating scandal. It's interesting and relates well with the Scarlet Letter. In society, the person doing the dirty work is often blamed, no matter how much they were involved in the planning process or how many others were behind the scene, which was exactly the case with Hester, who represented her "group". Nice insight :)
ReplyDeleteI agree with Allison & Erica and I also liked how you arranged and related the cheating story to The Scarlet Letter. [:
ReplyDeleteAlthough it's based off of own work and merit, wrongdoings like this should still be fairly punished, as that's how justice should be served.
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