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The Scarlet Letter (Book Summary)
The Scarlet Letter (Book Summary)
Nathaniel Hawthorne
Country
United States
Language
English
Genre(s)
Fiction
Publisher
Released
1850
Media Type
Pages
offers to leave with him, and they plan to leave on a ship bound for Europe in three days. However, both Hester
and Dimmesdale are plagued by feelings of dread and doom that continue to interrupt their elation.
Another threat to their future happiness remains. Chillingworth is aware of the conversation between Hester
and Dimmesdale. He remains committed to seeking revenge, and will use any means necessary to fulfill his
need. Will Hester, Pearl, and Dimmesdale be able to start a new life as a family n Europe, or will Chillingworth
finally attain his retribution?
Themes in Hawthornes The Scarlet Letter include isolation, hypocrisy, the nature of evil, the role of a woman in
society, the destructive power of guilt, revenge, and the pressures society places on individuals to conform.
Symbolism is another literary device prevalent in the novel. Examples include the scarlet letter itself, the brook,
the roses, and Pearls name. These literary devices and Hawthornes plot continue to resound with readers,
allowing the novel to remain popular with readers today.
Major Characters
Hester Prynne
Mother of Pearl, but has a difficult time connecting with her daughter at times
Reverend Dimmesdale
Keeps his role in the affair a secret in order to protect his position within the community
Roger Chillingworth
Pearl
Hesters daughter
Because she is isolated from the community, she creates imaginary friends
Has emotional fits and becomes angry when she is around other children
Reverend Wilson
Chapter Summaries
The Custom House- Introductory to The Scarlet Letter
The narrator is an official at the Custom House, which was once an important meeting house, but because the
port is no longer bustling, the Custom House is not what it used to be.
The first settlers of the area are now long gone, but their lives still impact the community. The narrator is related
to an early settler who was a judge and a ruler in the church known for his severity towards women.
The narrator meets other Custom House officers, also members of the Whig party. The narrator provides a
character sketch of each officer.
He finds an old package in the office of the Custom House. A red cloth in the shape of a letter A is in the box.
A scroll explains that the letter was worn by Hester Prynne. The narrator begins to retell the story of Hester and
the scarlet letter.
The prison door opens and Hester is led out. She is holding an infant. A red letter A has been sewn on her
gown. She is then escorted to a scaffold where she must stand on a platform as a part of her punishment.
Everyone in the town watches her, including her father. Hester is ashamed as she looks out at the sea of faces.
Chapter 6- Pearl
Hester decides to name her daughter Pearl because she paid a great price for her treasured daughter. She
initially feared Pearl would be plagued by unhappiness because of Hesters experiences while carrying her.
Pearl is a happy and playful child, but she sometimes has fits of emotion. Hester is confused by these
episodes.
Pearl is also shunned by the local children because of Hesters reputation. She often experiences fits of rage
when around other children. Her only real playmate is Hester, so she creates imaginary playmates. Despite
being completely innocent, Pearl is punished in the same severe manner as her mother.
She recognizes that Dimmesdale is tortured by his guilt. She decides to meet with Chillingworth to talk to him
about ending his revenge scheme.
The procession begins. After the officials file into the square, Dimmesdale delivers what is to be his final
sermon before he leaves with Hester and Pearl.
Hester watches Dimmesdale intently, but Pearl is more interested with the people in the crowd. Pearl delivers a
message from the ships commander to her mother. He says he spoke to Chillingworth, who told him that he
plans to personally escort Dimmesdale to the ship. Hester worries that they may never escape.