Chapter XXI: "The New England Holiday"

     The people of Boston have elected a new governor for the coming year. Each year when the new official is to take office, there is a public holiday. Everyone gathers in his best clothing in the market-place, and there are games played in the midst of a carnival atmosphere. The high point of the day is the Election Sermon, to be delivered this year by Arthur Dimmesdale. Hester and Pearl are the objects of the curiosity of the townspeople, Indians, and the crew of a vessel which has recently put into port.

     Hester and Pearl arrive in the market-place on the day of the holiday. Everywhere people are walking about. Even the settlers who live on the outskirts of the town have come to participate in the festivities. Hester is dressed quietly in coarse grey cloth. Her face is "like a mask." A keen observer might notice a small light in her face. Inside, she can whisper, "look your last on the scarlet letter and its wearer!" Hester thinks of herself as being on the high seas in a few hours, leaving Boston forever. Pearl is brightly dressed. She moves about "with a bird-like movement." 

Sometimes she bursts into wild shouts. She comments on all the workmen she sees in their best clothes. She wonders why Master Brackett, the old jailer, nods and smiles at her. Her mother tells her the old man remembers her as a child. Pearl notices the Indians and the sailors, and she wonders why they are there in the market-place. Her mother explains to her that all of these people are waiting to see the procession pass by. Pearl wonders if the minister will hold out his hands to her. Her mother tells her that he will not do this today. Almost to herself, the child comments that the minister is a "strange, sad man . . . with his hand always over his heart!" Everybody seems to be filled with joy. The men are participating in sports. Some are wrestling; some are in friendly matches with the quarter-staff; some are opponents with swords.

A party of Indians and some of the crew of the vessel stand watching the Puritans. The sailors are rough-looking men, dressed in colorful costumes. The captain of the vessel soon enters the market-place in conversation with Roger Chillingworth, the physician. The captain is dressed in a suit covered with ribbons. He has gold lace on his hat, which is also encircled by a gold chain. 

The captain sees Hester Prynne, and, recognizing her, speaks to her. Hester is near no one at the time, for people generally stand away from her. The commander of the vessel explains to her that one more passenger is to take ship with them. He feels that he is very fortunate that a doctor will be traveling with them. Hester is started. The captain continues his conversation, saying that Chillingworth will take ship with them. (Evidently Chillingworth has suggested that he is a close friend of Dimmesdale, and so the captain thinks everything will be all right if the physician accompanies his "friend.") Hester looks up, to see Roger Chillingworth smiling at her from a distant part of the market-place. His smile fills her with fear.

This chapter contains the following important points:

• Hester and Pearl come into the market-place where many people have gathered to celebrate the election of the new governor. There are many people there, including the townspeople, Indians, and sailors from a vessel in the harbor. All are waiting to see the procession pass. Hester is quietly dressed; Pearl is brightly clothed.
• The Puritans enjoy their holiday by watching or playing at sports. They look forward to the parade of the important members of the community and the soldiers - all of whom (dressed in their best) will be marching to music.
• The sailors from the Spanish Main (probably the Caribbean Sea) are pictured in their bright costumes, as they wander around smoking and drinking. The captain of the vessel is elaborately dressed, with much decoration.
• Hester is horrified to learn from the commander of the ship that Chillingworth is to set sail on the same vessel which she and her two loved ones plan to use to escape from Boston.

     This important chapter is concerned with a description of the procession; a conversation between Hester and Pearl about the minister; a series of unpleasant remarks about Dimmesdale by Mistress Hibbins; and the appreciation by Hester and the other members of the congregation of Dimmesdale's Election Sermon.

     Before Hester can gather her wits about her (after being shocked by the news that Chillingworth will accompany them on the ship), the procession is heard approaching. First comes the music, played by the drum and some light woodwind instruments. Pearl is thrilled at the sound. Next in the procession come the soldiers, most of whom are gentlemen dressed in soldiers' uniforms. (They resemble the modern National Guard.) They, too, are brilliantly dressed. Then are seen the magistrates (rulers) of the colony: Bradstreet, Endicott, Dudley, and Bellingham. 

The magistrates are followed by the minister who is to deliver the Election Sermon - Arthur Dimmesdale. He is a different Dimmesdale. His steps are not feeble; his body is not bent; his hand does not rest upon his heart. There is a spiritual look upon his face. He looks deep in thought. Hester watches him closely. She remembers some of their past moments together. He does not seem to be the same man that she has been encouraging with the thought of escaping Boston. Even little Pearl does not quite recognize him. She says that, if she had been sure who he was, she would have run to him and kissed him before all the people. 

Another observer of the procession is Mistress Hibbins, who is magnificently dressed with three ruffs around her neck, a gown of costly velvet, and a gold-headed cane. Mistress Hibbins whispers confidentially, to Hester. She declares to Hester that Dimmesdale has been a part of the Black Man's group in the forest. Mistress Hibbins says that Hester wears her token of sin openly. She further declares that the minister hides his sin "with his hand always over his heart." With a shrill laugh the old gentlewoman leaves. 

Hester does not enter the church. She stands near the scaffold, within listening distance of Dimmesdale who is delivering the sermon in the church. Although she cannot catch every word Dimmesdale speaks, Hester is aware of the general tone and spirit of what the minister is saying. She recognizes that a human heart is trying to reveal its secret, without specifically explaining all the details. While Hester listens. Pearl wanders about. 

The ship's master takes from his hat the gold chain that is twisted about it and throws it to the child. The captain sends a message to Hester by the child Pearl. It is that Chillingworth says he will bring Dimmesdale on board the ship with him, and that Hester only need be concerned with Pearl and herself. Hester is surrounded by people from the country roundabout who had heard about the scarlet letter, but who had never seen it. These spectators are joined by the sailors and the Indians and even some of the townspeople.

The chapter ends as two of the most important people of the romance are both being observed-Hester by curious people who are staring at her scarlet letter, and Dimmesdale by an audience which has been greatly, emotionally effected by his passionate sermon.

This dramatic chapter emphasizes the following points:
 

• To celebrate the annual holiday for the election of a new governor, there is a procession of the most important people in Boston. The parade begins with music, which is followed by soldiers in shining metal uniforms. Next come the political leaders of the colony (the governor and chief magistrates). At the end of the parade-in the place of honor-is the Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale, who is to preach the Election Sermon.
• Hester notices that Arthur seems to have changed in appearance, since their talk in the forest. He has energy and seems to be concentrating his thoughts on something. He looks like a man filled with a purpose. Even Pearl sees that he has changed in some way. Mistress Hibbins talks to Hester and disparages Dimmesdale's sincerity. The old woman is convinced that the minister puts on a pious front for the public - but that, in reality, he is a follower of the Black Man in the forest.
• Dimmesdale delivers the sermon in the meeting-house. Hester leans on the scaffold and listens to his tones and accents as they faintly come to her muffled by the walls of the church. Although she cannot clearly hear the words, she recognizes a great depth of sorrow in the gushing of Dimmesdale's voice.
• While Hester stands listening, Pearl darts around the market-place. The captain of the ship in the harbor sends a message to Hester through the child. The message is that Chillingworth assures the captain that he (Chillingworth) will see that his "friend" (Dimmesdale) gets on the vessel and that Hester need have no concern for him. She is horrified.
• The chapter ends as Hester is surrounded by an unsympathetic circle of curious people inspecting her scarlet letter. At the same time, Dimmesdale is viewed by an audience whom he has just ffascinated and thrilled with  magnificent Election Sermon. (What a contrast there is in the ways people are looking at the two people involved in the same sin!)

Chapter XXIII: "The Revelation Of The Scarlet Letter"

     In this dramatic chapter, the procession of officials is seen leaving the meeting-house. Dimmesdale, no longer charged with energy, shuffles along. As the procession passes the scaffold, Dimmesdale calls to Hester and Pearl. Although Chillingworth tries to stop the determined minister, Arthur Dimmesdale climbs to the platform of the scaffold with Hester and her child. And, in a very straightforward manner, he confesses to the crowd that he is Pearl's father. Then, he tears away the upper part of his ministerial garment, revealing a "red stigma." Exhausted and crushed, he dies, The crowd murmurs in wonder - the revelation (true meaning of) of the scarlet letter has stunned them.

     As the chapter opens. Dimmesdale has just brought his sermon to a close. The audience is still. Then, it pours out into the market-place. In the open air the excited listeners begin to explain to each other how wonderful this Election Sermon has been. The subject of the sermon was the relationship between God and man, with special reference to mankind in New England. 

At the end of the sermon Dimmesdale prophesied a glorious future for the people of the Boston colony. The whole sermon had an undertone of sadness - almost as if their beloved minister were bidding good - by to them before starting out on a journey. (This journey might well be death.) 

At this time, Arthur Dimmesdale stands at the most triumphant moment of his existence. This is the high point of his career as a minister. He bows his head on the cushions of the pulpit, as the members of his congregation look at him idolatrously. (Meanwhile, Hester Prynne is outside the meeting-house, and is circled by a curious group of spectators staring at the scarlet letter.) Now the music begins again, and the "military escort" falls into place. 

The procession has started. The magistrates and the governor, as well as the Boston ministers, are on their way to the town-hall, where they will enjoy a "solemn banquet" to round out the ceremonies of the day. In the middle of the market-place the parade is greeted by a loud roar of approval. The man who is being cheered most enthusiastically by the townspeople is Arthur Dimmesdale. 

All eyes turn toward him. The shouting dies into a murmur. He has changed within the last few minutes. His energy seems gone. His cheeks are pale. He walks as if he might fall at any moment. Reverend John Wilson offers to help him, but Dimmesdale refuse said. Now he is opposite the scaffold. Dimmesdale pauses. The music being played for the procession urges hhim to continue "onward to th festival." But he stops. Governor Bellingham, upset, leaves his place in the procession, in order to offer aid to Dimmesdale. The minister gives the magistrate a look that causes him to return to his original position among the other magistrates. 

Then Arthur Dimmesdale turns toward the scaffold, stretches forth his arms and says: "Hester, come hither! Come, come, my little Pearl!" He gives them a look full of terderness. Pearl runs to him and clasps her arms about his knees. Hester draws near him, but pauses before she reaches him. Suddenly, Roger Chillingworth pushes through the crowd and catches Dimmesdale by the arm, whispering: "Madman, hold! What is your purpose? Wave back that woman! Cast off this child! All shall be well!" 

Dimmensdale says: "Thou art too late!" He continues: "With God's help I shall escape thee now!" Then Dimmesdale calls on Hester to give him her "strength." He wants not only her spiritual strength, but he wishes her physical strength, so that she might help him climb to the platform of the scaffold. The crowd goes wild. They do not want to recognize the solution to this puzzle: they cannot allow themselves to believe that Dimmesdale has a close relationship to Hester and Pearl. 

There are four people now standing on the scaffold-Hester, Arthur, Pearl and Roger Chillingworth. (Chillingworth finds he must be with the people he has been so closely associated with.) Dimmesdale tells Hester that he is about to die. He wishes to share her "shame." Then, he passionately denounces himself to the spectators, as he reveals that he is Pearl's father. He explains that he has his own "red stigma" very much like Hester's scarlet letter. With a violent motion he tears away the "ministerial band" at the top of his garment. The audience is shocked. (Evidently, Dimmesdale has been punishing himself by mutilating the flesh of his breast, sketching out a letter very much like Hester's scarlet letter "A.") 

Dimmesdale sinks to the platform of the scaffold. Hester helps prevent him from falling. Chillingworth kneels beside him, saying, "Thou hast escaped me!" Dimmesdale asks God's forgiveness for the physician, adding that Chillingworth has also "deeply sinned." (This, of course, is a reference to Chillingworth's desire for revenge.) 

Dimmesdale invites Pearl to kiss him. She does. Then the child cries, the tears flowing "upon her father's cheek." Hester wonders if she and Arthur will meet again in another life. Dimmesdale fears that they may not. He is grateful that God has been merciful to him by giving him the "burning torture to bear" upon his breast, by sending Chillingworth to torment him, and by encouraging him to confess on the scaffold. Then Arthur Dimmesdale dies.

This chapter contains the following dramatic happenings:

• Dimmesdale concludes his Election Sermon which is cheered by the townspeople in the market-place.
• The procession starts to leave for the town-hall where a banquet is to close the ceremonies of the day. People suddenly notice that Dimmesdale no longer is filled with great energy; he seems weak and tottering.
• Dimmesdale stops opposite the scaffold and calls Hester and Pearl to his side. Chillingworth tries to stop him, but he pays no attention to the old physician. Then they all mount the steps of the scaffold, Hester helping Arthur (who has Pearl's hand clasped in his), with Chillingworth irresistibly drawn along behind them. Dimmesdale informs the amazed townspeope that he is Pearl's father. He stuns them by tearing away the clerical cloth around his neck and revealing his "red stigma" (an unhealed wound probably formed in the shape of the letter "A"). Then, solemnly saying farewell, Arthur Dimmesdale dies.

Chapter XXIV: "Conclusion"

     The story is brought to a close as Hawthorne explains different points of view about what happened on the scaffold after the Election Sermon. Chillingworth dies, leaving a great deal of property to Pearl. Hester and Pearl leave Boston. Later Hester returns alone. She lives in the same house in which she had lived previously. Unhappy women in Boston come to her for advice. It is believed that Pearl has been married in Europe. Hester dies and is buried beside Dimmesdale.

     Most of the spectators who watch and listen to Dimmesdale on the scaffold later agree that they had seen a scarlet letter on his breast. There is a variety of opinion as to how the letter came to be there. Some people believe Dimmesdale inflicted it on himself, as he daily endured torture with the knife. Others feel that the avenger, Chillingworth, had caused the letter to appear through the use of magic and drugs. Still others feel that remorse, "gnawing" from Dimmesdale's heart outward, finally appeared on the surface of his breast in the form of a scarlet letter. A few people insist that Dimmesdale had no mark on his breast and that he spoke with Hester on the scaffold, to point out to the spectators that he humbly considered himself a sinner. The moral of the story is taken from Dimmesdale's experience. It is: "Be true! Show freely to the world, if not your worst, yet some trait whereby the worst may be inferred!" 

After Dimmesdale's death Chillingworth loses his sense of direction. He has concentrated on revenge, and now that there can be no more revenge he loses his purpose in life. He has nothing to do. Within the year he dies, leaving Pearl a large amount of property both in America and in England. Pearl becomes "the richest heiress of her day in the New World." (Hawthorne suggests that now the child might marry into any devout Puritan family, for her money makes her very attractive.) 

Hester and Pearl soon leave the colony and are not heard of for a number of years. Finally, Hester reappears in Boston and takes up residence in the same little cottage she had occupied before. She even wears a scarlet letter on her breast. Pearl is not with her. People are not sure if she is alive or not, but gifts and letters come from Europe for Hester, indicating that someone of wealth has affection for her. Hester occupies a respected position in the Boston community. People bring their problems to her, particularly women unhappy in love. Hester soothes them. After many years Hester Prynne dies and is placed beside Arthur Dimmesdale in the burial-ground. One tombstone serves both the lovers. How very suitable it is that the inscription (concerning a scarlet letter on a black background) should at last bring the two lovers together. 

The following points are made in this concluding chapter:

• Opinions vary as to what happened on the scaffold. Most people later agree there was some sort of a scarlet letter imprinted in Dimmesdale's flesh. People have different ideas as to how the letter arrived there. Some insist that Dimmesdale inflicted the wound upon himself. Others believe that Chillingworth "caused it to appear," by the use of magic and poisonous drugs. Still others feel that the "tooth of remorse" gnawed from Dimmesdale's guilty heart outward until it could be seen on the minister's breast. Then there are others who (due to a certain sense of loyalty toward Dimmesdale) deny "that there was any mark whatever on his breast." This group also refuses to admit that the minister had any connection with Hester Prynne's scarlet letter. (They explain that his calling Hester and Pearl to the scaffold with him was due to his great humility; he wished to point out to people that "we are sinners all alike.")
• Hawthorne indicates that the moral of the story is based upon Arthur Dimmesdale's experience with sin and hypocrisy. The point of it is that one should be truthful about oneself and show the world at least some typical part of his sin.
• When Dimmesdale dies, Chillingworth loses his purpose in life-revenge. Within the year, he dies, leaving much property in America and Europe to Pearl.
• Hester and Pearl shortly disappear from the colony. Years later, Hester returns to Boston to live alone in her small cottage by the seashore. She always wears the scarlet letter "A." It is thought that Pearl has married in Europe. Hester often receives costly gifts from abroad. Hester becomes a gentle comforter to women who come to her for help, especially for advice about unhappy love affairs. Finally, Hester Prynne dies and is buried beside Arthur Dimmesdale in the burial-ground near King's Chapel. Their tombstone reads: "On a field, black, the letter A, red."

.