Part IV: Chapters 15- 18
As Hester talks to Chillingworth, Pearl occupies herself in the forest. Trying to imitate her mother, Pearl creates a green letter A on her bosom out of seaweed. Curious by the meaning of the letter, Pearl asks Hester to explain it. Instead of telling Pearl the truth, Hester lies and says she wears it for "the sake of the gold thread." Pearl persistently seeks for a more legitimate answer, but Hester forbids her to speak of the matter any longer. Hester leads Pearl into the forest in hopes of speaking to Dimmesdale about Chillingworth’s motives. Hester tells Pearl to "run and catch the sunshine," but the sunshine disappears as Hester attempts to feel its glory. Hester finally tells Pearl that the scarlet letter is the black man’s mark. Hester tries to console Dimmesdale and eventually admits that Chillingworth is her husband. Hester, most definitely in love with Dimmesdale, pleads for his forgiveness. Although initially angry, Dimmesdale reconciles with Hester, finally realizing Chillingworth’s true evil nature. In the seclusion and freedom of the forest, the couple makes a plan to leave the Puritan community and run away together back to England. Dimmesdale doubts his ability to carry out this journey, but is encouraged by Hester’s words in which she assures him that he can still live a meaningful life on Earth. To show her support in starting over, Hester lets down her hair and takes off the scarlet letter. While all this is happening, Pearl seems in her element with nature. Seeing Pearl across the brook, Hester calls for her to come over to them.
As Hester talks to Chillingworth, Pearl occupies herself in the forest. Trying to imitate her mother, Pearl creates a green letter A on her bosom out of seaweed. Curious by the meaning of the letter, Pearl asks Hester to explain it. Instead of telling Pearl the truth, Hester lies and says she wears it for "the sake of the gold thread." Pearl persistently seeks for a more legitimate answer, but Hester forbids her to speak of the matter any longer. Hester leads Pearl into the forest in hopes of speaking to Dimmesdale about Chillingworth’s motives. Hester tells Pearl to "run and catch the sunshine," but the sunshine disappears as Hester attempts to feel its glory. Hester finally tells Pearl that the scarlet letter is the black man’s mark. Hester tries to console Dimmesdale and eventually admits that Chillingworth is her husband. Hester, most definitely in love with Dimmesdale, pleads for his forgiveness. Although initially angry, Dimmesdale reconciles with Hester, finally realizing Chillingworth’s true evil nature. In the seclusion and freedom of the forest, the couple makes a plan to leave the Puritan community and run away together back to England. Dimmesdale doubts his ability to carry out this journey, but is encouraged by Hester’s words in which she assures him that he can still live a meaningful life on Earth. To show her support in starting over, Hester lets down her hair and takes off the scarlet letter. While all this is happening, Pearl seems in her element with nature. Seeing Pearl across the brook, Hester calls for her to come over to them.
posted by Alexandra W. | 5:44 PM
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Plot Shenanigans
1. What does Hester do when Pearl asks about the letter? What is her response?
2. Why is Dimmesdale angry with Hester?
3. What happens to Hester in the sunshine?
4. What does Dimmesdale realize about Chillingworth?
5. What does the couple plan to do? What is the problem with this plan?
Part IV Discussion Questions:
1. Why does Pearl make a green letter “A” for herself? Is she trying to show her mother something by doing this?
2. Why does the sunshine shy away from Hester? Why does it stay when Pearl runs into it?
3. What is the significance of Hester taking down her hair and taking off the scarlet letter?
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