IRA# 12

The Scarlet Letter


Summary: Chapters 20-24

These last few chapters are devoted to our  minister Reverend Dimmesdale. He is now contemplating what it would be like to run away with Hester and Pearl and be a real family. Deep down he really loves Hester and Pearl, and would like to get away from this town. Soon, he decides to leave the village for a year to spend time in the woods, so he think about his next step in life. After a year, he returns thinking about the new developments in the town, and the things that never changed. The reverend visits Hester and they talk about leaving with Pearl on the next ship.  He sees his dear friend Roger Chillington who he believes is a true devil. Supposedly this man who is portrayed as the devil, knows about their silly little plan to leave. A few wakes later, the pastor is getting ready for the Election Sermon, which is a big thing for these puritans. As the days approach, he keeps thinking about telling the public that the holy man that stands before them every Sunday is not as holy as you think. There is foreshadowing that the story is going to get very emotional. As Hester and Pearl get ready for this New England holiday, the mother still wears the scarlet letter because she does not feel herself without it. This scarlet letter was a symbol of her shame, but it has been there for her through everything. It has encouraged her to live a better life. You can tell this symbol foreshadows something later to come.

 A man walks off a ship and talks to Hester like he knows her. He is actually one of sailors who has agreed to take Dimmesdale, Hester, and Pearl. However, the physician has to go with him. Thinks about this, why would you want to run away with someone who know is supposedly the devil? Something isn't right or is it? Dimmesdale walks through town, as the crowd oohs and ahhs because they think he is so wonderful. He makes his speech and people believe they are looking at Jesus Christ himself. After he gives his speech, there is a connection with the reverend and Hester as if both of them had scarlet letters on their chest. He asked Hester to come up to the altar with Pearl, and he spills his guts about his lustrous affair with Hester. He believes that it is now judgment day and believes that God punishes everyone. That he is as vengeful as anyone who wants revenge. Dimmesdale hugs Hester and his daughter Pearl, telling them that he does not belong in this world anymore. He knows that he is dying and will not receive any more medical aid, believing that it is time to await punishment. He says farewell to his girls, and sees the light.

The story concludes talking about the aftermath of Reverend Dimmesdale's death, and how it has changed the entire town, To this day, there are still different stories of what happened, but only Hester and her daughter really know the real story. Pearl is in her late teens now, married and very wealthy. Roger Chillington has reflected on what happened to his friend, and he has decided to vanish and nobody knows where he is. Hester is still known for her shame, but continues to live her life. It all started with a mortal sin, and it ended with a Scarlet Letter.