Part III: Chapters 11-14
Now that Chillingworth has found out that Dimmesdale is Pearl’s father, he begins to torture the man. As Dimmesdale endures this suffering, he becomes physically weak and emotionally distraught over his guilt. He even beats himself as form of personal punishment. At the same time, his sermons become more vibrant and he begins to gather tremendous acclaim from his congregation. When Dimmesdale comes out and admits his sin, it is taken as an even greater example of his holiness. Finally, the pain becomes to much for Dimmesdale and he goes to Hester’s spot of shame on the scaffold. After being unnoticed by Reverend Wilson coming back from visiting the dying Reverend Wintrop, Dimmesdale sees Hester and Pearl who, when asked, join him on the platform. Pearl asks the minister whether he will join them at noon the next day and Dimmesdale replies he will be there with them on the "great judgement day." Standing with his family, Dimmesdale is able to release some of his guilt and for the first time in a long time, feel alive. At this moment, a letter A appears in the sky. Hester’s charity allows her letter to take on the new meaning of "Able." This does not, however, fulfill her desire for love and affection. Seeing the guilt that Chillingworth was creating for Dimmesdale, Hester goes to talk to Chillingworth. She finds a man entrapped by the devil’s works, and being released of her promise of silence, sets off to try and fix the oppression she has brought on Dimmesdale.
Now that Chillingworth has found out that Dimmesdale is Pearl’s father, he begins to torture the man. As Dimmesdale endures this suffering, he becomes physically weak and emotionally distraught over his guilt. He even beats himself as form of personal punishment. At the same time, his sermons become more vibrant and he begins to gather tremendous acclaim from his congregation. When Dimmesdale comes out and admits his sin, it is taken as an even greater example of his holiness. Finally, the pain becomes to much for Dimmesdale and he goes to Hester’s spot of shame on the scaffold. After being unnoticed by Reverend Wilson coming back from visiting the dying Reverend Wintrop, Dimmesdale sees Hester and Pearl who, when asked, join him on the platform. Pearl asks the minister whether he will join them at noon the next day and Dimmesdale replies he will be there with them on the "great judgement day." Standing with his family, Dimmesdale is able to release some of his guilt and for the first time in a long time, feel alive. At this moment, a letter A appears in the sky. Hester’s charity allows her letter to take on the new meaning of "Able." This does not, however, fulfill her desire for love and affection. Seeing the guilt that Chillingworth was creating for Dimmesdale, Hester goes to talk to Chillingworth. She finds a man entrapped by the devil’s works, and being released of her promise of silence, sets off to try and fix the oppression she has brought on Dimmesdale.
posted by Alexandra W. | 7:24 PM
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Plot Twisters
1. What is Chillingworth’s new goal in life?
2. Why does Dimmesdale not feel better after he is on the scaffold with Hester and Pearl?
3. What is the meaning in Dimmesdale’s statement that he will stand on the scaffold on the last judgment day?
4. What is the new meaning of the Scarlet Letter? What does Dimmesdale think it means? What does the congregation think it means?
5. What does Hester realize about her ex-husband?
Part III Discussion Questions:
1. Is Dimmesdale’s health declining more because he feels guilty or because Chillingworth is torturing him?
2. Is it ironic that Dimmesdale’s sermons are getting better since he is a sinner? Explain?
3. Why is Dimmesdale reluctant to let go of Pearl’s hand when he is standing on the scaffold?
4. The townspeople are now looking past the true meaning of Hester’s letter and interpreting it to mean “able.” Is Hester gaining her position back in society? How is this new interpretation of the letter affecting Hester?
5. Why has Chillingworth changed so much? Who has committed a worse sin: Chillingworth or Dimmesdale? Why?
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