The Scarlet Letter

Chapters 1-6

Synopsis: The story begins by introducing  many of the symbols seen throughout the book, two of them being the rose bush and Boston’s prison. Hawthorne then goes on to introduce Hester Prynne, the main character. Hester comes out of the prison holding her illegitimate child and is escorted to a stage where she is condemned to stand to be publically taunted. It is clear that Hester has committed adultery from the snide comments that the women in the crowd make; they also criticize the ornateness of the embroidered “A” on her chest. 

As Hester stands on the stage she scans the crowd and she suddenly spots a familiar face, her husband. He had sent Hester to America with the promise to follow her but never did. Once he realizes that Hester has spotted him, he suggests that she should not reveal his identity. He then asks a stranger in the crowd about Hester’s crime and punishment. The stranger reveals that Hester has committed adultery and refuses to give up the name of her fellow sinner. Because of this, Hester must stand on the stage for three hours and wear the letter “A” on her clothing for the rest of her life.

Hester is ascorted back to the prison. Hester’s husband, Roger Chillingworth, comes to Hester’s cell to provide her with medical attention. Hester believes that he is trying to poison her, but Chillingworth assures that he wants to get his revenge some other way.

After a few months in prison, Hester is released and free to leave Boston, but she chooses not to. Instead she makes her home in an abandoned cabin in the outskirts of the town. Hester supports herself by selling her embroidery. Although she is successful, Hester still feels alienated and alone. The only thing that keeps her going is her daughter Pearl, who is also treated as an outcast among the other children.

Text-to-text Connection: Just recently, a modern take on the Scarlet Letter was made, the movie Easy A. A high school girl is considered a harlot and wears an embroidered “A” on her chest, just like Hester in the Scarlet Letter.

Text-to-self Connection: A lot of books use a red rose to symbol love, hope, and struggle. In the Scarlet Letter the rose is used to symbolize a sweet moral blossom. It also can be interpreted as the petals represent lust and the thorns are the consequence. Another story that uses a rose to symbolize consequence and love is Beauty and the Beast.

Chapters 7-10

Synopsis: Hester and Pearl go to Governor Bellingham’s house to give him a pair of embroidered gloves and to ask about a rumor that Hester has heard. The townspeople have been saying the Pearl was to be taken away from Hester because she is supposedly a demon child. As Hester and Pearl make their way to the governor’s house they are bombarded by children, who throw mud at them.

When they arrive at the governor’s house they are met by Bellingham, Wilson, Chillingworth, and Dimmesdale. They see Pearl and call her a demon-child. After much discussion, it is agreed that Hester and Pearl will not be separated.

Due to the fact that no one is aware of Cillingworth’s past, he merges himself into society as a doctor. People welcome him because he is aware of native remedies and is one of the only good medical practioners in Boston. The town also greatly appreciates Chillingworth because Dimmesdale is becoming ill. Dimmesdale moves in with Chillingworth so he can receive all the medical attention that he needs.

As time goes on, the townspeople begin to discover Chillingworth’s past and start to associate him with evil and the Devil. Despite the rumors, Chillingworth continues to examine Dimmesdale and he discovers that the reason why Dimmesdale is ill is due to the fact that he cannot confess to his adultery with Hester.

Text-to-text Connection: It is clear from the text that the only reason people believe that Pearl is a devil child is her past. Doubtlessly, Pearl is not a devil child, but the reference reminded me The Exorcist.

Text-to-self Connection: Today in society, people do everything they can to keep mother and child together. This was the case in The Scarlet Letter as well. Bellingham promised to let Hester and Pearl be together. The reasons for families being separated is different now then it was back then, but the outcome of separating a mother and child or father and child are the same. It is devastating for everyone.

Chapters 11-15

Synopsis: Now that Chillingworth knows the truth about Dimmesdale’s affair, he is trying to make his revenge as cruel as possible.

Dimmesdale finds it difficult to live with himself, especially because of his night terrors that remind him of his sins. He eventually results to self-torture when the bible cannot even bring him any satisfaction.

Dimmesdale comes up with an idea that he believes will end his pain: a vigil on the stage where Hester was punished. During his vigil Hester and Pearl show up. Finally, Dimmesdale asks Hester who Chillingworth really is. Hester is unfortunately sworn to secrecy, so she is unable to reveal his true identity.

Now seven years have passed since the birth of Pearl, and Hester has finally branched out in the community. She busies herself with humanitarian work. The townspeople still criticize her, but more and more and forgetting about what happened. They now see the “A” on her chest as a symbol for “Able”.

Even after all these years, Chillingworth is still punishing the minister. Hester begs him to stop and reveal his true identity. Chillingworth refuses and the two get into an argument.

Text-to-text Connection: The Scarlet Letter is very similar to The Crucible. Some of the many similarities include the setting, conflict, and common themes. One striking similarity is that two of the characters want to get revenge. In The Crucible, John Proctor and Abigail Williams have an affair, and Abigail tries to get revenge on John by getting his wife tried as a witch. In the Scarlet Letter, Chillingworth tries to get revenge on Dimmesdale for cheating on his wife through questions and torture.

Text-to-self Connection: This portion of the book shows the Transcendentilist nature of Dimmesdale. Transcendetalist ideals include: 1) Each individual is connected to God 2) Conscience, morality, and intuition are present at birth 3) One of the best ways to connect with God is through Nature. Dimmesdale holds a vigil to connect with God on a personal level, so he can pardon his sins.

Chapters 16-20

Synopsis: Hester decides that if Chillingworth will not tell the truth about his identity, she will. Pearl and Hester wait in the woods to meet Dimmesdale. While they wait Pearl asks more and more question about the meaning behind the letter “A”, their reputation with the town, and the Black Man. Hester reveals that the Black Man is Dimmesdale.

Dimmesdale meets Hester, and she tells him that Chillingworth is her husband. This outrages the Dimmesdale, and blames Hester for his suffering. Soon after, he forgives her and they plan to run away to Europe together and settle down.

Hester calls Pearl over to talk to Dimmesdale, but she refuses because Hester is not wearing the “A” upon her chest. Once Hester pin it back on, Pearl comes over but ignores Dimmesdale.

The three return to town separately. Dimmesdale explains to Chillingworth that he is no longer in need of his service and Chillingworth becomes worried that Dimmesdale knows who he truly is.

Text-to-text Connection: When Dimmesdale and Hester decide to runaway to Europe together, it reminded me of the Titanic. In the Titanic two lovers decide that they are going to runaway together and settle down. The only difference is that in The Scarlet Letter they are fleeing to Europe and in the Titanic they are already on their way to the US.

Text-to-self Connection: As a child it is hard to understand what goes on in our parents lives. Now that Pearl is a bit older, she is discovering new things about her heritage and mother’s past. I have known many people who grew up without a mother or father, and met them later in life, as did Pearl.

Chapters 21-24

Synopsis: All the townspeople gather together once again to celebrate the new governor. Dimmesdale, Hester, and Pearl stand among sailors that are to bring them to Europe. As Pearl questions Hester about why Dimmesdale is so friendly to them while they are alone, but so cold in public, the sailors explain that Chillingworth will be joining them on their journey to Europe because the ship was in need of a doctor.

Dimmesdale gives a sermon at the ceremony; the people consider this his best. After he concludes his sermon, Dimmesdale announces that he is “the one sinner of the world”. He calls Hester and Pearl to the stage and reveals that he too has a red insignia on his chest and then he falls to the stage.  Hester asks him if they will spend all of eternity together and he answers by saying that God will decide any further punishment. After his death there is much discussion to what the red mark on his chest was. Was it a scarlet “A”, a mark from his self-torture, or a wound from Chillingworth’s poison?

Shortly after the minister’s death, Chillingworth dies and Hester and Pearl disappear. Years later, Hester returns and continues her charity work. When she dies she is buried next to Dimmesdale.

Text-to-text Connection: The ending of the book reminded of Romeo and Juliet because the two lovers never really find happiness and are allowed to be together. In both stories the two lover die in the end.

Text-to-self Connection: It was interesting to see how much society has changed since Puritan New England and how in a way it has remained the same. Having an affair was unheard of back then and considered an unspeakable crime. Although having an affair is considered a huge betrayal it is much more common in today’s society. People are not shunned or put on display when they have an affair, it is a much more private matter. With this said, people who are unfaithful are still the topic of much gossip, just like in the Scarlet Letter.

Why is The Scarlet Letter Considered a Classic?

“All books are divisible into two classes: the books of the hours, and the books of all Time.

-John Ruskin

Out of the many books published, very few of them are considered classics. The question is why is a book considered a classic and when do they become classics. Is it because they are simply a good read or is it because they have been read and enjoyed by generations and had an impact on people for years? Classics are books that have been around for ages and still are influential and impact their readers the same way now as they did when they were first published decades ago. In order for a book to be a classic, it must with stand the test of time, appeal to everyone, and be encompass a sense of honesty and artistic nature.

The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne is considered a classic. The Scarlet letter has been around for decades and has been understood by many generations; it has been around for over 150 years. It expresses a time in United States’ history that is not as well known as other time periods, 17^th century Puritan New England. Many people use the Scarlet Letter as a tool to experience what is was like back then. Hawthorne used themes that people can relate to (truth, deception, love, life, betrayal). Although the Scarlet Letter can be hard to read at times because of the use of old English, it remains enjoyed by many.