Scarlet letter summary2/25/2023 Readers are encouraged to study, rather than skip over the Preface to the Second Edition and The Custom-House, where Hawthorne reveals his sense of romance, between materialism and "dreaminess." He describes his experiences there, its crumbling systems of patronage, to provide a deeper understanding of the novel itself. Chillingworth gives up on revenge, dies, and leaves Pearl a large inheritance. When she dies, Hester is buried near Dimmesdale with the gravestone epitaph, "On a field, sable, the letter A, gules" (On a field, black, the letter A, red). Some witnesses swear they saw an "A" on his chest, but can't confirm it. After his best sermon ever delivering " a shower of golden truths upon them," Dimmesdale climbs on the public scaffold to admit his sin, and dies in Hester's arms. Hester and Dimmesdale meet secretly, she convinces him to leave Boston for Europe. Chillingworth who suspected him, sees a symbol representing an "A" on Dimmsedale's chest. Meanwhile, Dimmesdale hides his guilt, but is consumed by sickness for years and eventually confesses to his sin. After serving her prison sentence, Hester raises her daughter in a small cottage at the edge of town, church members threatens to take her away for being unruly, so Hester appeals to the ministers and Governor to let her stay. Her long-lost husband appears at the sentencing, she refuses to reveal her lover, and he threatens to get revenge. After refusing to name her lover after repeated pressures from everyone (including Dimmesdale, who is covering up his sin), she is sentenced to wear a scarlet "A" (A for adultress) after standing three hours on the public scaffold in quiet dignity. It is about Hester Prynne, who conceived a child during a secret affair with a pastor, Arthur Dimmsedale, and is charged with adultery. The story, subtitled "A Romance," is set in the Puritan town of Boston in the 17th century. Governor Bellingham - Governor of the Bay Colony, he listens to the ministers and grants Hester's appeal to retain custody of her daughter. Reverend John Wilson - A church leader who attempts to get Hester to confess her lover's identity, along with the town's minister denying his sin, Arthur Dimmesdale. He finally suspects Dimmesdale is the father of Pearl, but Dimmesdale dies before Chillingworth gets his revenge. Hester refuses to name her lover, he threatens Hester to never reveal his identify as her husband. He changes his name to Roger Chillingworth and embarks on a mission to reveal the identity of Hester's adulterous partner. She spots him in the crowd at her sentencing on the public scaffold (stocks). Long-lost Husband - The small misshapen man who was Hester's husband, presumed to be lost at sea. Pearl becomes unruly and capricious as she is raised by Hester in a cabin on the edge of town. Pearl - The "elf child" borne out of wedlock whom her mother Hester raises, but her father Arthur keeps his paternity a secret. Finally, he confesses in public and dies in Hester's arms. He does not confess to his guilt, and grows sick by his tormented conscience. She is sentenced to wear a letter "A" on her chest as her badge of public shame in this small Puritan community in which she seeks repentance and dignity.Īrthur Dimmesdale - The town's pastor with whom Hester had an adulterous affair, impregnating her out of wedlock. Hester Prynne - The woman who committed adultery with a pastor and bore an illegitimate child.
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