Seeing differently

We all see things differently – textures, shadows, shapes, color, movement, depth, light.  However, the discrepancies in the ways we literally see are infinitesimal compared to the plethoric deviations of opinion among any number of people: divergences of metaphoric sight.  No two people are able to perceive a situation identically; each person has a brain that functions uniquely, and so each person will inevitably think in a distinct way.

                In Nathaniel Hawthorne’s story of The Scarlet Letter, the narrators remark on how “there was more than one account” (Hawthorne 252) of what transpired on the day Dimmesdale passed away.  Most of the witnesses apparently agreed that Dimmesdale had a scarlet letter on his breast to match Hester’s famous A.  However, they disagree over the origin for Dimmesdale’s mark, proposing such theories as

·         The minister put it there himself as a torturous form of penance

·         Roger Chillingworth, being a necromancer, used magic and drugs to cause the mark

·         The symbol appeared as the effect of Dimmesdale’s horrible guilt, the spiritual essence of Dimmesdale affecting his physical being so profoundly

The narrators declare that the readers “may choose among these theories.” (Hawthorne 253)  The narrators also want the readers to note that some people denied that there was ever a mark at all on Dimmesdale’s breast.  Why?  The narrators suggest that this variation of the story stems from  “that stubborn fidelity” (Hawthorne 254) that causes a person’s closest  friends to support him or her despite obvious proof against that person, especially when that person is a clergyman.  As Ben (I think) suggested in class, Dimmesdale’s fellow clergymen might have been trying desperately to preserve the honor and eminence that their profession usually afforded them, which would have been called into question when the seemingly most holy and clearly the most venerated among them was revealed to be a hypocritical sinner.  I think this might have been for selfish reasons, or it might have been for the greater good; Dimmesdale himself says that he hates being unable to confess his sins, but that he knows he can do far more good for the people of the settlement if they still believe in his purity.  I also believe that some of the clergy may truly not have seen a sign of sin on Dimmesdale, because they had so much faith, it altered their vision of reality.

                Ultimately, my point is this: the way we perceive a situation, idea, person, or other object can affect how what we perceive actually is.  This has to do with my very first post and theological stuff that hurts the brain, but we can change the world around us by thinking differently.  Many people disbelieve me when I talk about the effects of thinking positively - I get a lot of, “Oh, for God’s sake, Michael, shut up!”  However, many others understand the tangible effect that a different perspective can have in our lives.  Some tie it to science, (take two minutes to read this article, it’s cool)

http://witnessthis.wordpress.com/2011/05/11/can-thoughts-affect-water-molecules/

while others connect the concept of positive thought altering our lives to their religions.  Personally, I use both as evidence.  As far as science goes, there have been innumerable studies that validate the idea that thoughts can affect reality, though science is still working on explaining why this is the case.  As far as religion goes, I’ve witnessed enough miracles in my life to feel the power of faith and belief in God.  Whatever you believe, try living with a more positive outlook, just for one day or one week, and see how it affects you.  You don’t need to read any more of my writing; the proof is in the pudding.*

*That’s a cliché meaning that the results will speak for themselves, in case you were confused and just though I wanted food.