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The Elf-Child And The Minister
convince the others that Pearl must stay with her. Dimmesdale reminds the others that Pearl is both a blessing and a curse and that she will save her mother’s soul. On the way out, Hester is approached by Mistress Hibbins, the witch-lady, who asks her to join the other witches. Hester does not go along with her because she must stay with Pearl. -
The Prison Door
Hester Prynne standing on the scaffolding in front of a prison in Boston in the 1600s.
quote-“She had not known the weight until she felt the freedom.”Page (196).
significance-This quote is important because the shame Hester once had was now one. She was relieved of her stress. -
The Market Place
Hester is standing on the scaffolding with Pearl, her infant daughter, in her arms because she had committed the terrible sin of adultery. For this, she is forced to wear the letter A in scarlet on her clothing.
quote-“We dream in our waking moments, and walk in our sleep.”Page (146)
significance- This quote was stated, by belief of feeling that if your head is in your books, and you’re focused on your studies all the time, you should only be relaxing. -
The Recognition
Hester’s husband had sent her along to New England from the Old World, England, and he had been kept behind by the Native Americans against his will. Hester noticed him in the crowd. if truth were everywhere to be shown, a scarlet letter would blaze forth on many a bosom" (Page Chapter 5): significance- This is important because everyone is judging Hester and looking down on her but they’ve done the same, their secrets just haven’t been exposed like hers. -
The Interview
Roger Chillingworth, meets with her in her prison cell and asks her for the identity of her lover. When she will not reveal her lover’s name, Chillingworth forces her to keep his identity a secret as well. -I have laughed, in bitterness and agony of heart, at the contrast between what I seem and what I am."(Page Chapter 17)
-This is perfect. Simply because to everyone Hester seems like a bad person and she’s not. The choices she made were wrong but she’s not much as a bad person as she seems. -
Hester At Her Needle
Hester chooses to live on the outskirts of town and make a living out of her sewing profession. Her work is considered shameful quotes-"But it is not recorded that, in a single instance, her skill was called in aid to embroider the white veil which was to cover the pure blushes of a bride." Chapter 5, pg. 76
significance- this was important because everyone made her feel not special or not important. -
Pearl
Hester’s daughter in greater detail. We learn that she is very beautiful and that it was amazing that something so angelic could have resulted from a disgraceful act such as adultery.
quote- "'I am my mother's child,' answered the scarlet vision, 'and my name is Pearl!'" Chapter 8, pg. 101
significance- this is important because everyone expected her to be ugly because of the sin her mother made. -
The Governor’s Hall
The Governor’s Hall,” Hester visits Governor Bellingham’s home to give him a pair of gloves she had made him and to find out whether Pearl would be taken away from her care.
quote- and it is a rare instance in my life, - I had met with a person thoroughly adapted to the situation which he held." Introductory, pg. 24
significance- this is important because the person she loves the most might be taken away -
The Leech
Chillingworth reinvents himself as a physician, and asks to move in with and take care of Dimmesdales when it becomes noticeable that the minister has been having health problems. Dimmesdale begins grasping at his chest as his heart condition progresses. quote- On a Field, Sable, the Letter A, Gules." Chapter 24, pg. 240
significance- this is important because dimmesdale has heart condition -
The Leech And His Patient
Dimmesdale no longer trusts any man and will not give up his secrets. but once again the minister will not speak. In the night, Chillingworth sees something on the minister’s chest, but the reader does not yet learn of what the physician saw
quote-"The physician knew then, that, in the minister's regard, he was no longer a trusted friend, but his bitterest enemy." Chapter 20, pg. 204
significance- dimmesdale doesnt people know about the A in his chest -
The Interior Of A Heart
As his heart condition worsens, Dimmesdale desperately wants to tell his congregation of the secret that is tearing away at him. When he realizes that he is unable to admit the truth, he begins seeing visions and then he starts torturing himself.
quote- 'At least, they shall say of me,' thought this exemplary man, 'that I leave no public duty unperformed, nor ill performed!'" Chapter 20, pg. 197
significant- he cant tell the truth -
The Minister’s Vigil
Dimmesdale stands on the scaffold and screams out into the night, but no one hears him. Governor Winthrop died that same night, and the people believed he had reached heaven.
quote- Death was too definite an object to be wished for or avoided." Chapter 16, pg. 173
significant- withrop died that night -
Another View Of Hester
Governor Winthrop died that same night, and the people believed he had reached heaven.The townspeople no longer view the letter A as a symbol of her adultery. They now believe it stands for “able.”Hester decides to tell Chillingworth to stop causing the minister pain.
quote- Thou little knowest what a relief it is, after the torment of a seven years' cheat, to look into an eye that recognizes me for what I am!" Chapter 17, pg. 176
significance- that let the past be the past and they are happy. -
The Pastor And His Parishioner
Hester tells Dimmesdale that Chillingworth is her husband, he loses control for a moment and blames Hester for all of his misery. After he comes to his senses, Hester and the minister decide to move to England to live together with Pearl and with one another as a family.
quote- 'Thou hast escaped me!' he repeated more than once.... 'May God forgive thee!' said the minister. 'Thou, too, hast deeply sinned!'" Chapter 23, pp. 232-233 significant- they are going to be a family -
The Revelation Of The Scarlet Letter
He opens his shirt and shows a mark on his chest that he had to bear similar to how Hester was punished for her crime, except that his “scarlet letter” was hidden from the public. Pearl finally gets to kiss him, and, after a brief farewell to Hester, Dimmesdale dies.
quote-Quote 30: "[T]here seemed to be no longer anything in Hester's face for Love to dwell upon" Chapter 13, pg. 150
significant- dimmendale dies -
Conclusion
Hester returns to Boston, and continues her charity work. When she dies, she is buried near Dimmesdale’s grave and they share a single tombstone, one with the scarlet letter A on a black background. quote- "he will be known." Chapter 3, pg. 59
significant.- everyone died except pearl
