Journal
Chapters 1-2
Chapter one and two take place in Boston, Massachusetts during the seventeenth century. We are showed images of the rose bush in front of the prison door. Chapter one describes the founders of Boston, and the prison door and its dreary image. Chapter two describes Hester being brought in front of the people. Women gossiping about Hester and her sin. Hester walks out with her infant Pearl and holds her close to her bosom to cover the scarlet letter which she has pinned to her chest in order of punishment for her crime. With Pearl held to her chest she sees a man in the crowd who as a reader we can infer is her 'lost' husband.
Chapter one and two take place in Boston, Massachusetts during the seventeenth century. We are showed images of the rose bush in front of the prison door. Chapter one describes the founders of Boston, and the prison door and its dreary image. Chapter two describes Hester being brought in front of the people. Women gossiping about Hester and her sin. Hester walks out with her infant Pearl and holds her close to her bosom to cover the scarlet letter which she has pinned to her chest in order of punishment for her crime. With Pearl held to her chest she sees a man in the crowd who as a reader we can infer is her 'lost' husband.
Chapters 3-4
When Hester sees this stranger, he hives a gesture to hush and not say a word about him being there. Knowing the puritan society, if the husband were to be alive (people believe the Mr.Prynne has died at sea) than Hester would be sent to her death. However the other person who committed this sin of Adultery (which is what the scarlet letter 'A' on her bosom represents) with Hester. The man who is now called Roger Chillingworth is actually Mr.Prynne, Hester's husband. Chillingworth calls himself a doctor of the down and goes into the prison the calm down Pearl and give them both medicine to help them sleep. He speaks to Hester and calls them both sinners for he married Hester with out her ever really loving her. He wants Hester to tell him who this 'co-sinner' is and she refuses to tell. Because she will not thell him who this man is, he asks Hester to keep his identity a secret so he can go on a 'man-hunt' and find this man.
When Hester sees this stranger, he hives a gesture to hush and not say a word about him being there. Knowing the puritan society, if the husband were to be alive (people believe the Mr.Prynne has died at sea) than Hester would be sent to her death. However the other person who committed this sin of Adultery (which is what the scarlet letter 'A' on her bosom represents) with Hester. The man who is now called Roger Chillingworth is actually Mr.Prynne, Hester's husband. Chillingworth calls himself a doctor of the down and goes into the prison the calm down Pearl and give them both medicine to help them sleep. He speaks to Hester and calls them both sinners for he married Hester with out her ever really loving her. He wants Hester to tell him who this 'co-sinner' is and she refuses to tell. Because she will not thell him who this man is, he asks Hester to keep his identity a secret so he can go on a 'man-hunt' and find this man.
Chapters 5-6
After Hester is released from the prison, she begins her life with Pearl living in a small place outside of the community. Hester makes a living by being a seamstress. Hester has a great hand with her needle, she begins to make suits for the men, gloves, and clothing for the dead. However, Hester is not allowed to make clothing for the females of the community. As readers we can imply that she cant make clothing for the women because Hester has committed a sexual crime and women would not want to be cursed with this sin as well. Chapter six brings the readers attention to the infant Pearl. The name Pearl was given to her because she was a beautiful flower which grows out of her mother and fathers 'sinful soil', and is quoted “purchased with all [Hester] had—her mother’s only treasure!” Because “in giving her existence a great law had been broken,”. Pearls are beautiful and made with a clean slate, just as this infant was, the infant was Hester's Pearl.
After Hester is released from the prison, she begins her life with Pearl living in a small place outside of the community. Hester makes a living by being a seamstress. Hester has a great hand with her needle, she begins to make suits for the men, gloves, and clothing for the dead. However, Hester is not allowed to make clothing for the females of the community. As readers we can imply that she cant make clothing for the women because Hester has committed a sexual crime and women would not want to be cursed with this sin as well. Chapter six brings the readers attention to the infant Pearl. The name Pearl was given to her because she was a beautiful flower which grows out of her mother and fathers 'sinful soil', and is quoted “purchased with all [Hester] had—her mother’s only treasure!” Because “in giving her existence a great law had been broken,”. Pearls are beautiful and made with a clean slate, just as this infant was, the infant was Hester's Pearl.
Chapters 7-8
Hester and Pearl go to the governors hall to give a pair of gloves. The subject of pearl arises, and the men meeting begin to think that maybe Pearl needs to be removed from Hester's care. They ask Pearl a question about her heavenly father and she reply that she has none. The men then make a decision that Pearl should no longer live with Hester. However, the minister Dimmesdale tells the men that Pearl is a reminder of her sin and will be better if she stays with Hester.
Hester and Pearl go to the governors hall to give a pair of gloves. The subject of pearl arises, and the men meeting begin to think that maybe Pearl needs to be removed from Hester's care. They ask Pearl a question about her heavenly father and she reply that she has none. The men then make a decision that Pearl should no longer live with Hester. However, the minister Dimmesdale tells the men that Pearl is a reminder of her sin and will be better if she stays with Hester.
Chapters 9-10
Chillingworth has done well keeping his identity a secret. He has even developed a relationship with Dimmesdale in attempt to make him feel better for Dimmesdale has grown physically ill. Chillingworth acts as a leech and is attached and obsessed with finding the other person involved in Hester's sin. Dimmesdale has begun to be very much like a wimp. He is winy, and he cant just come out and say what he needs to.
Chillingworth has done well keeping his identity a secret. He has even developed a relationship with Dimmesdale in attempt to make him feel better for Dimmesdale has grown physically ill. Chillingworth acts as a leech and is attached and obsessed with finding the other person involved in Hester's sin. Dimmesdale has begun to be very much like a wimp. He is winy, and he cant just come out and say what he needs to.
Chapters 11-12
Pearl begins to question the scarlet letter, and the way the minister is grabbing his chest constantly. Late one night Dimmesdale gets up and goes to stand on the scaffold. He lets out a loud shriek and people hear it but think nothing of it. Hester and Pearl are walking home that night from bringing clothing to a man who has just passed away. Dimmesdale notices them and calls them up to the scaffold. Hester and Pearl join him on the scaffold and they hold hands. Pearl questions Dimmesdale and asks him is he will join them again the next day at noon, and he says that he wont and Pearl becomes upset. They then see a asteroid which makes a scarlet 'A' in the sky.
Pearl begins to question the scarlet letter, and the way the minister is grabbing his chest constantly. Late one night Dimmesdale gets up and goes to stand on the scaffold. He lets out a loud shriek and people hear it but think nothing of it. Hester and Pearl are walking home that night from bringing clothing to a man who has just passed away. Dimmesdale notices them and calls them up to the scaffold. Hester and Pearl join him on the scaffold and they hold hands. Pearl questions Dimmesdale and asks him is he will join them again the next day at noon, and he says that he wont and Pearl becomes upset. They then see a asteroid which makes a scarlet 'A' in the sky.
Chapters 13-14
Seven years after Pearls birth, Hester finally begins to gain some respect in society. She has helped any one in need and has still had time for Pearl and herself. The society has now changed her scarlet letter meaning from 'Adulterer' to 'Able'. Hester has proved to everyone in the society that she is able to help everyone she can and still raise Pearl. Hester meets with Chillingworth near the beach. Hester tells Chillingworth to stop tormenting Dimmesdale. Chillingworth then tells Hester that the town has been speaking about her being able to take the scarlet letter off. Hester id opposed to this because she feels that the letter is already branded into her chest.
Seven years after Pearls birth, Hester finally begins to gain some respect in society. She has helped any one in need and has still had time for Pearl and herself. The society has now changed her scarlet letter meaning from 'Adulterer' to 'Able'. Hester has proved to everyone in the society that she is able to help everyone she can and still raise Pearl. Hester meets with Chillingworth near the beach. Hester tells Chillingworth to stop tormenting Dimmesdale. Chillingworth then tells Hester that the town has been speaking about her being able to take the scarlet letter off. Hester id opposed to this because she feels that the letter is already branded into her chest.
Chapters 15-16
Hester and Dimmesdale meet and Hester reveals Chillingworth's identity. Dimmesdale begins to feel strange about the subject and Hester asks Dimmesdale if he would like to go back to Europe. Hes not ready to leave the town because he has not yet revealed his sin to the town. Pearl begins playing with leaves and grass and makes her own letter 'A' out of them. She tells her mother she doesn't yet have a true let
Hester and Dimmesdale meet and Hester reveals Chillingworth's identity. Dimmesdale begins to feel strange about the subject and Hester asks Dimmesdale if he would like to go back to Europe. Hes not ready to leave the town because he has not yet revealed his sin to the town. Pearl begins playing with leaves and grass and makes her own letter 'A' out of them. She tells her mother she doesn't yet have a true let
Chapters 17-24
The day Hester, Pearl, and Dimmesdale are to set sale, Dimmesdale reveals himself in front of all the people in the town. Dimmesdale shows a letter that is on his chest and Hester tells him that they can be together in the next life. Then Dimmesdale dies. Hester and Pearl then go to Europe where Pearl eventually meets a man and falls in love. Hester goes back to Boston and puts the scarlet letter back on. Hester soon dies and is buried next to Dimmesdale and they share a stone that has a letter 'A' in the background.
The day Hester, Pearl, and Dimmesdale are to set sale, Dimmesdale reveals himself in front of all the people in the town. Dimmesdale shows a letter that is on his chest and Hester tells him that they can be together in the next life. Then Dimmesdale dies. Hester and Pearl then go to Europe where Pearl eventually meets a man and falls in love. Hester goes back to Boston and puts the scarlet letter back on. Hester soon dies and is buried next to Dimmesdale and they share a stone that has a letter 'A' in the background.