The Scarlet Letter Timeline of Events by John Stone

Hester Prynne Arrives in Boston

Jun 1, 1640

The novel is set in the 1600's. Hester Prynne arrives in the America's before her husband to set up their lives. The husband never shows up and is presumed dead.

Hester Prynne and the Scaffold

Jun 1, 1642

Hester Prynne walks onto the scaffold with her three month old baby to face the consequences of her sin.

Hester Sees Her Husband Who Was Presumed Dead

Jun 1, 1642

Hester, while on the scaffold, looks out into the crowd to see her husband who she thought was dead.

Hester Recieves Her "A" representing an Adulterer in Society

Jun 1, 1642

The letter "A" has a lot of symbolism within the novel. Try to think of what the "A" could represent.

Hester Is Released from Prison

Jun 1, 1649

Seven years have passed. Hester's daughter Pearl is now seven years old. Hester begins to sow to make money and to provide of Pearl and herself. The community begins to realize how wonderful Hester truly is, and that the "A" does not define her.

Dimmesdale Cannot Live With Himself

Oct 1, 1649

Reverend Dimmesdale is guilty of letting Hester take the punishment for the sin they both committed. He is letting the guilt eat away at his life.

Chillingsworth Plots Against Dimmesdale

Dec 1, 1649

Chillingsworth knows the Dimmesdale is the father of Pearl. Chillingsworth plots against him to cause Dimmesdale's demise.

Dimmesdale and Hester Meet in the Forest

Dec 7, 1649

Hester and Pearl meet Dimmesdale in the forest. Dimmesdale acknowledges Pearl as his daughter and makes plans to leave together as a family.

Chillingsworth Sees Dimmesdale's A engraved on his chest.

Dec 15, 1649

Dimmesdale because of his guilt has been marking himself on his chest with the letter "A" to pay for the sin he has committed for not standing with Hester for their child and family.

Hester and Pearl Join Dimmesdale on the Scaffold. The Meteor.

Dec 27, 1649

Hester and Pearl join Dimmesdale on the scaffold to stand together as a family. A meteor appears in the sky. This confirms to Dimmesdale of his need to confess his sin. While the community sees it as a message from God describing the Governor of the town as an angel. Though this could also be implied that Dimmesdale is being forgiven of his sins. There are a lot of symbols here.

Hester Reveals to Dimmesdale Her Husband

Dec 28, 1649

Hester Reveals to Dimmesdale that Chillingsworth is her husband.

Dimmesdale Reveals Himself

Dec 30, 1649

Dimmesdale Reveals himself and dies. Pearl acknowledges him as her father and kisses him on the lips before he dies. Pearl is Seven.

Hester and Pearl leave for the Old World

Jan 6, 1650

Hester and Pearl leave for the old world.

Chillingsworth Dies

Dec 16, 1650

Chillingsworth dies alone, and an old man.

Pearl Grows Up, Hester Dies

Jan 4, 1665

Pearl is now an adult, and Hester Prynne dies. She is buried next to Dimmesdale and their headstones have the letter A on them.