Sparknotes.Com-Scarlets Letter – Summery Chapters 23-24 Essay Example
As his Election Day sermon comes to a close, Dimmesdale delves into the connection between God and human societies, specifically addressing the establishment of New England in the wilderness.
Dimmesdale's sermon about New England being chosen by God deeply affects the crowd. They leave the meeting hall murmuring that it was his most inspired and truthful sermon ever. As they proceed to the town hall for the evening feast, Dimmesdale spots Hester and hesitates. He calls out to Hester and Pearl to join him on the scaffold, despite Chillingworth's attempts to prevent him. They all mount the scaffold together.
Stating that it was God who led him there, Dimmesdale confesses to the crowd that he is "the one sinner of the world" and leans on Hester for support. He then stands up without her help and displays a red s
...tigma, similar to Hester's, by tearing away his ministerial garments from his chest. The narrator refrains from describing the exact mark he reveals as it would be disrespectful. Dimmesdale then collapses onto the scaffold and the crowd is shocked. Chillingworth exclaims, "Thou hast escaped me!" In the end, Pearl gives Dimmesdale the kiss she had denied him.
In Chapter 24, Hester questions the minister about their afterlives. The minister believes that it is up to God to decide if they will face any further punishment for breaking His holy laws. He bids Hester farewell before dying. The conclusion of the book reveals that the scarlet letter is no longer seen as a symbol of shame and disapproval by the public. Instead, it has become a representation of something to be grieved over and respected.
(Refer to the section
labeled "Important Quotations Explained")...
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