Summary The minister takes courage from Hester’s strength and resolves to leave the Puritan colony, but not alone. He reasons that if he is doomed irrevocably, why not be allowed the solace of a “condemned culprit before his execution?” Hester agrees with him and casts off the scarlet letter. She […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapter 18 – A Flood of SunshineSummary and Analysis Chapter 17 – The Pastor and His Parishioner
Summary As Dimmesdale walks in the wilderness, returning from a visit with Apostle Eliot, he hears Hester’s voice and is surprised by her presence. At first, he cannot tell whether she is a human or a ghost. In fact, they are both ghosts of their former selves, and their chill […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapter 17 – The Pastor and His ParishionerSummary and Analysis Chapter 16 – A Forest Walk
Summary For several days Hester tries unsuccessfully to intercept Dimmesdale on one of his frequent walks along the shore or through the woods. When she hears that he will be returning from a trip, she goes with Pearl into the forest, hoping to meet the minister on his return home. […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapter 16 – A Forest WalkSummary and Analysis Chapter 15 – Hester and Pearl
Summary As Chillingworth leaves, Hester recognizes how evil he has become and realizes she hates him. Meanwhile, Pearl has entertained herself quite well: she played with her image in a pool, made boats of birch bark, and threw pebbles at beach-birds. Finally, she uses seaweed to make a scarf and […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapter 15 – Hester and PearlSummary and Analysis Chapter 14 – Hester and the Physician
Summary While walking on the peninsula with Pearl, Hester sees Chillingworth and sends Pearl down to play by the seashore while she speaks with her husband. She is surprised at the changes in Chillingworth just as she was shocked by Dimmesdale’s spiritual ailment and aging. Realizing Chillingworth is in the […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapter 14 – Hester and the PhysicianSummary and Analysis Chapter 13 – Another View of Hester
Summary Following her conversation with Dimmesdale on the scaffold, Hester is shocked by the changes in him. While he seems to have retained his intelligence, his nerve is gone. He is morally weak, and she can only conclude that “a terrible machinery had been brought to bear, and was still […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapter 13 – Another View of HesterSummary and Analysis Chapter 12 – The Minister’s Vigil
Summary After leaving the house, Dimmesdale walks to the scaffold where, seven years earlier, Hester Prynne stood, wearing her sign of shame and holding Pearl. Now, in the damp, cool air of the cloudy May night, Dimmesdale mounts the steps while the town sleeps. Realizing the mockery of his being […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapter 12 – The Minister’s VigilSummary and Analysis Chapter 11 – The Interior of a Heart
Summary Feeling that he is in full possession of Dimmesdale’s secret, Chillingworth begins his unrelenting torture of the minister, subtly tormenting him with comments designed to trigger fear and agony. Dimmesdale does not realize Chillingworth’s motives, but he nonetheless comes to fear and abhor him. As Dimmesdale’s suffering becomes more […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapter 11 – The Interior of a HeartSummary and Analysis Chapter 10 – The Leech and His Patient
Summary In this and the next few chapters, Chillingworth investigates the identity of Pearl’s father for the sole purpose of taking revenge. Adopting the attitude of a judge seeking truth and justice, he quickly becomes fiercely obsessed by his search into Dimmesdale’s heart. He is frequently discouraged in his attempts […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapter 10 – The Leech and His PatientSummary and Analysis Chapter 9 – The Leech
Summary Since first appearing in the community, Chillingworth has been well received by the townspeople, not only because they can use his services as a physician, but also because of his special interest in their ailing clergyman, Arthur Dimmesdale. In fact, some of the Puritans even view it as a […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapter 9 – The Leech