Scarlet Letter (144- 216)

At the beginning of these pages, Reverend Dimmesdale and Hester reunite in the woods and call for their daughter Pearl to rejoin them, but she refuses to until her mother pins back on the scarlet letter. After their meeting Dimmesdale becomes vexed and begins to wonder if the "infectious poison of sin" has ruined him (182). As Hester plans to depart on the ship for a better life that she has created in her mind, it is revealed that Roger Chillingworth will be accompanying her on her journey. Ms. Hibbins accosted Hester and implied that Hester and Dimmesdale were under the power of the "Black Man" (198). Dimmesdale spoke to the shocked masses and called Pearl and Hester up on the stage with him, confessed his sin and revealed his symbol. At last he felt content to let go and be judged by God alone.

Did this book come to a satisfactory closure for you? Why or why not?

The conclusion of this novel seemed very fitting to me, perhaps because the author had been backhandedly implying that Hester and Dimmesdale running away together was the immoral thing to do. He convinced the audience so with subtle hints such as Mr. Dimmesdale's surprisingly improved health, which caused Hester to doubt that this plan was really the best arrangement for him. Additionally, the crowd's "cool, well acquainted gaze at her familiar shame" (202) caused Hester to acknowledge that nothing had really changed for her. I think that audiences everywhere were pleased when Dimmesdale called Hester and Pearl up onto the platform with him, and when he finally was able to rest in peace after confessing his shame and become a "departed spirit" (210). Dimmesdale was one of the most likeable characters of the book, but his constant guilt made it difficult for him to ever feel comfortable, so it was a relief to me when he finally conveyed his error. I must confess that Chillingworth's death did not leave me remotely heartbroken, as I had been wishing he was gone since a few pages after he was introduced. Pearl was finally given a chance to live her own life, and the novel implies that she may have found love among some English noble. Hester appeared to have died having done all she could to erase her sin, which left me satisfied that she had ultimately accomplished her goal of inner peace.