Scarlet letter chapter 20. The Scarlet Letter Full Text: Chapter 20 Page 1 2019-01-07

The Scarlet Letter Chapter 20 Summary & Analysis

He tries to talk him out of confessing because once Dimmesdale escapes him, he will have nothing to live forward to. Hester has told the Reverend who he really is, and now the secret is out. Three times, he meets people of his congregation, and each time he is tempted to do something terrible. Soman Chainani, August 15, 2007, and Adam Kissel, ed. Indeed, once Pearl rejoins her parents, it becomes apparent that she is right to be skeptical. In the past, every time Dimmesdale would see her, he would whisper in her ear a scripture passage that made her day. With his meeting with Hester behind him, Dimmesdale finds a new reserve of energy which follows him through encounters with some of his parishioners.

The Scarlet Letter Chapter 20 Summary

The Puritans fled Europe out of the desire to live in a place where they would not need to hide their religious affiliations or fear the sanctions of others. As he passes one of the church elders on his way through town, the minister can barely control his urge to utter blasphemous statements. He was to preach the Election Sermon and he could not have chanced upon a more suitable mode and time of terminating his professional career. Nathaniel Hawthorne's classic literature novel The Scarlet Letter tells a tale of an illicit romance in Puritan New England. Did he make a contract with the devil in the forest? She runs to the brook and attempts to wash it off. What did Pearl want from Dimmesdale that Hester would not permit? Chillingworth, then, is actually setting Dimmesdale free, for the reverend will finally now confess before his congregation and gain the redemption that comes with death. Of all the characters, Pearl probably changes most from this revelation.

Scarlet by Nathaniel Hawthorne, Chapters 20

Chapters 19—20 Summary—Chapter 19: The Child at the Brook-Side Hester calls to Pearl to join her and Dimmesdale. Whatever the reason, it is definitely providing inspiration for the minister's speech. The sin he committed with Hester, adultery, is a deadly one and is poisoning his entire being. Describe the most significant thing Dimmesdale does in this chapter. But she knows she will see him in the forest with the Black Man when midnight comes. He leaves all of his estate to Pearl, who immediately becomes the wealthiest heiress in the New World.

Scarlet Letter Chapter 20 Quotes. QuotesGram

The Chilling Physician After making his way back home, the Reverend sits down to write his Election Day sermon. Lesson Summary Reverend Dimmesdale begins to doubt his newfound happiness when he makes his way back to town. His thinking has been transformed by his will and that of Hester. In light of his new view of humanity, he now throws his former manuscript in the fire and writes a newer and better sermon. Even Mistress Hibbins recognizes him as a kindred spirit. He hears a knock at the door, and it is Roger Chillingworth - Hester's estranged husband who has been using his position as a physician to get close to the Reverend. Poetic justice is occurring here: Chillingworth dies with nothing more to do, and perhaps he found redemption for his vengeance in bequeathing his property to Pearl.

Scarlet Letter Chapter 20 by Kaiena Conlon on Prezi

Finally, he sees the youngest member of his church, a woman who was recently converted. Despite her grief, she has lived a holy life through her Bible studies. His thoughts, feelings, and words seem to be coming from somewhere else, a dark place. Hester wore her letter and suffered public shame, but she also healed. Pearl, on the contrary, cannot accept this new, happier version of her mother.

The Scarlet Letter Chapter 20 Summary & Analysis

Turning over their plan in his mind, he believes that going to Europe is the better choice. For one, it prevents Dimmesdale from getting away without public shame. . He has a new perception of life and feels like a new man after his meeting with Hester. Pretty important stuff in a mid-17th century Puritan community. After all, she now has a new lease on life, with the opportunity to live outside the stringency of society; she can continue to seek peace sincerely, in and from her own heart. What news does the shipmaster ask Pearl to tell Hester? After Chillingworth leaves, without saying any of his thoughts aloud, the reverend eats a large meal, throws his half-written Election Day sermon away, and starts a new one.

SparkNotes: The Scarlet Letter: Chapters 19

But there was Hester, clad in her gray robe, still standing beside the tree-trunk, which some blast had overthrown a long antiquity ago, and which time had ever since been covering with moss, so that these two fated ones, with earth's heaviest burden on them, might there sit down together, and find a single hour's rest and solace. So great a vicissitude in his life could not at once be received as real. From the other side of the brook, Pearl eyes her parents with suspicion. What happens in the swamp? He tells them that he should have stood with Hester seven years earlier. Dimmesdale decides to tell Chillingworth he no longer needs his assistance, which makes Chillingworth realize his secret has been shared. Hester is terrified that all three of them will die after this spectacle.

The Scarlet Letter Chapter 20 Summary

While talking with him, the Reverend wants to shout out blasphemous, or offensive, things about the church. Analysis This entire chapter — note the title — focuses on the spiritual battle warring within Dimmesdale. She is soon surrounded by many people who are trying to get a glimpse of the scarlet letter on her breast. Get the latest updates: Facebook: Twitter:. In fact, he doesn't need any more of Chillingworth's drugs.

SparkNotes: The Scarlet Letter: Chapters 19

Dimmesdale longed at least to shake hands with the tarry black-guard, and recreate himself with a few improper jests, such as dissolute sailors so abound with, and a volley of good, round, solid, satisfactory, and heaven-defying oaths! Chapter Twenty-two: The Procession Summary A large parade of soldiers and magistrates goes through the town. Describe what happens to Pearl during this final scaffold moment. In order to free his mind from this indistinctness and duplicity of impression, which vexed it with a strange disquietude, he recalled and more thoroughly defined the plans which Hester and himself had sketched for their departure. In furtherance of this choice, it so happened that a ship lay in the harbour; one of those unquestionable cruisers, frequent at that day, which, without being absolutely outlaws of the deep, yet roamed over its surface with a remarkable irresponsibility of character. Realizing that she will not find love again after the death of Dimmesdale and in the wake of so much notoriety, she decides to turn her sunshine upon those who most need it.