Chapter Summaries for Dummies
Chapter 1: The Prison Door
The first scene of The Scarlet Letter begins with a description of a dull, dusty, dark prison cell. Every description pertaining to the people or the society has a sense of depression that is dark and bland. The only living and colorful item described in the scene is a rose-bush at the peak of it's growth; which becomes an important symbol throughout the book. |
Chapter 2: The Market-Place
Hester Prynne, a young women who commits adultery, becomes the center of attention by being publicly placed upon a scaffold for all of the eyes of the town to view and criticize. Hester is a beautiful lady with a magnificent complexion, but all of this has been overlooked because of the baby upon her bosom. She has been forced to wear a scarlet letter, A, which many towns-people use as an analogy to her shame and guilt that she must feel. Mr. Dimmesdale, the local head minister of the Purtian church, talks directly to Hester in front of everybody in an attempt to pressure her into admitting to the father of her baby, but Hester refuses. The guilt that Hester feels brings her to realize that death would be better than being publicly humiliated. Through this realization, in an attempt to escape the hard reality and the shame she has brought upon herself, Hester thinks back to her past.
Hester Prynne, a young women who commits adultery, becomes the center of attention by being publicly placed upon a scaffold for all of the eyes of the town to view and criticize. Hester is a beautiful lady with a magnificent complexion, but all of this has been overlooked because of the baby upon her bosom. She has been forced to wear a scarlet letter, A, which many towns-people use as an analogy to her shame and guilt that she must feel. Mr. Dimmesdale, the local head minister of the Purtian church, talks directly to Hester in front of everybody in an attempt to pressure her into admitting to the father of her baby, but Hester refuses. The guilt that Hester feels brings her to realize that death would be better than being publicly humiliated. Through this realization, in an attempt to escape the hard reality and the shame she has brought upon herself, Hester thinks back to her past.
Chapter 3: The Recognition
A stranger, coming into town from the forest is accomplanied by an Indian. He takes much interest in Hester, wondering why she is placed at the scaffold. He states that he has been held captive over in Europe and has just arrived to Boston. Hester and this man seem to have known each other through past experience, but he pretends to have no recollection of Hester. Reverend Mr. Wilson demands an answer of who the father is, but she will not speak. The scarlet letter is described as having light and a burning sensation being branded onto her flesh as she returns to the prison.
A stranger, coming into town from the forest is accomplanied by an Indian. He takes much interest in Hester, wondering why she is placed at the scaffold. He states that he has been held captive over in Europe and has just arrived to Boston. Hester and this man seem to have known each other through past experience, but he pretends to have no recollection of Hester. Reverend Mr. Wilson demands an answer of who the father is, but she will not speak. The scarlet letter is described as having light and a burning sensation being branded onto her flesh as she returns to the prison.
Chapter 4: The Interview
The strange man enters the prison cell by describing himself as a physician who is good with medical plants. The man calls himself Roger Chillingworth and concocts a potion to calm Hester's screaming child. He talks with Hester about the wrongdoings of the past. Roger Chillingworth is Hester's husband. Hester cringes at the fact that she commited adultery and that her baby is not biologically Chillingworth's. Chillingworth promises that he will figure out the man that has sinned against both of them and makes Hester promise to never speak of their relationship to the public for he has just arrived into town.
The strange man enters the prison cell by describing himself as a physician who is good with medical plants. The man calls himself Roger Chillingworth and concocts a potion to calm Hester's screaming child. He talks with Hester about the wrongdoings of the past. Roger Chillingworth is Hester's husband. Hester cringes at the fact that she commited adultery and that her baby is not biologically Chillingworth's. Chillingworth promises that he will figure out the man that has sinned against both of them and makes Hester promise to never speak of their relationship to the public for he has just arrived into town.
Chapter 5: Hester at her Needle
Hester is set free from prison and takes a walk of shame back to her cottage that is located near the beginning of a forest. Hester feels all alone with just her child and no one to talk to, so she sits and sews for a living. Hester makes baby clothes, clothes for the upper class, and most any occasion except for a weddings. The clothing that Hester uses for herself is the worst and most uncomfortable of them all; while she uses the nicest and finest materials when making clothes for her child. Hester makes sure to use gold and crimson-red satin material when making the "A" that goes on her plain clothing. By making clothing for the townspeople, Hester feels a small connection to the citizens, but will never achieve her previous social status before committing adultery. Hester's mind is going crazy with thoughts of guilt and how she ended up in this predicament, and the burning sensation that the "A" has left on her body and soul.
Hester is set free from prison and takes a walk of shame back to her cottage that is located near the beginning of a forest. Hester feels all alone with just her child and no one to talk to, so she sits and sews for a living. Hester makes baby clothes, clothes for the upper class, and most any occasion except for a weddings. The clothing that Hester uses for herself is the worst and most uncomfortable of them all; while she uses the nicest and finest materials when making clothes for her child. Hester makes sure to use gold and crimson-red satin material when making the "A" that goes on her plain clothing. By making clothing for the townspeople, Hester feels a small connection to the citizens, but will never achieve her previous social status before committing adultery. Hester's mind is going crazy with thoughts of guilt and how she ended up in this predicament, and the burning sensation that the "A" has left on her body and soul.
Chapter 6: Pearl
Hester adores Pearl and talks about her as a bundle of joy, who has these qualities about her that makes one smile. Hester, however, is also afraid of what the child's life will be like because she does not belong with the other baptized children. Pearl is considered a sin because of Hester, and Hester fears of the days that will come when people stare at Pearl like they do Hester. Pearl has inherited much of Hester's attitude, but also inherited a characteristic of love and enthusiasm for most anything. Pearl is also intrigued by the scarlet letter but little does she know of the sin it carries.
Hester adores Pearl and talks about her as a bundle of joy, who has these qualities about her that makes one smile. Hester, however, is also afraid of what the child's life will be like because she does not belong with the other baptized children. Pearl is considered a sin because of Hester, and Hester fears of the days that will come when people stare at Pearl like they do Hester. Pearl has inherited much of Hester's attitude, but also inherited a characteristic of love and enthusiasm for most anything. Pearl is also intrigued by the scarlet letter but little does she know of the sin it carries.
Chapter 7: The Governor's Hall
Hester goes to the governor's hall to deliver gloves and to find out if the rumors are true about Pearl being taken from the custody of Hester. On the way, Hester and Pearl are threatened by the children throwing mud at them as they pass, so Pearl yells at the children. The governor's hall is slowly getting old and loosing it's structure. The governor and minister make comments about Pearl being a demon-child and start having thoughts about taking Pearl away from Hester. Pearl is entranced by the shining armor while Hester notices that the scarlet letter dominates her reflection in the armor.
Hester goes to the governor's hall to deliver gloves and to find out if the rumors are true about Pearl being taken from the custody of Hester. On the way, Hester and Pearl are threatened by the children throwing mud at them as they pass, so Pearl yells at the children. The governor's hall is slowly getting old and loosing it's structure. The governor and minister make comments about Pearl being a demon-child and start having thoughts about taking Pearl away from Hester. Pearl is entranced by the shining armor while Hester notices that the scarlet letter dominates her reflection in the armor.
Chapter 8: The Elf-Child and the Minister
As the men come in, Dimmesdale, Bellingham, and Chillingworth talk about Pearl possibly being taken away from Hester. They compare Pearl to a bird and call her a demon-child. Hester claims that she can use the shameful experience of her sin to teach Pearl a lesson, but the men do not agree and insist that Pearl needs a religious childhood. Dimmesdale comes to Hester's rescue by agreeing that Pearl was given to Hester for a reason and that she was the Lord's gift to Hester. Miss Hibbins invites Hester to join her and the other witches in the forest, but Hester refuses because she has Pearl, who saves her from the Devil's temptations.
As the men come in, Dimmesdale, Bellingham, and Chillingworth talk about Pearl possibly being taken away from Hester. They compare Pearl to a bird and call her a demon-child. Hester claims that she can use the shameful experience of her sin to teach Pearl a lesson, but the men do not agree and insist that Pearl needs a religious childhood. Dimmesdale comes to Hester's rescue by agreeing that Pearl was given to Hester for a reason and that she was the Lord's gift to Hester. Miss Hibbins invites Hester to join her and the other witches in the forest, but Hester refuses because she has Pearl, who saves her from the Devil's temptations.
Chapter 9: The Leech
Since Chillingworth decides to become a new man and to start over, he becomes Dimmesdale's personal physician and doctor because of his knowledge of medicines. Dimmesdale is described as slowly dying and wasting away, so Chillingworth offers to live with Dimmesdale to look after him since he does not have a wife. Chillingworth's room is a lab while Dimmesdale's room has bible references to adultery. Chillingworth is able to keep a good eye on Dimmesdale at all time and people are thankful for that, but later wonder what Chillingworth is really up to. People think he has become this Devil and that he is fighting for Dimmesdale's soul
Since Chillingworth decides to become a new man and to start over, he becomes Dimmesdale's personal physician and doctor because of his knowledge of medicines. Dimmesdale is described as slowly dying and wasting away, so Chillingworth offers to live with Dimmesdale to look after him since he does not have a wife. Chillingworth's room is a lab while Dimmesdale's room has bible references to adultery. Chillingworth is able to keep a good eye on Dimmesdale at all time and people are thankful for that, but later wonder what Chillingworth is really up to. People think he has become this Devil and that he is fighting for Dimmesdale's soul
Chapter 10: The Leech and His Patient
Chillingworth wants to dig deeper into Dimmesdale's heart to find what he is hiding. He does this by constantly having an eye on him, yet at the same time being that good friend who is not too intrusive. Chillingworth shows Dimmesdale his new black leaf he uses for potions. He says he found it on a grave tomb in an attempt to get Dimmesdale talking about buried secrets and redemption. They are interrupted by the laughter of Pearl who gives the men a stare and warns Hester to leave before the Black man comes after them. Chillingworth makes a comment about how he believes the spiritual and physical condition of Dimmesdale is why he has become so sick and ill, but Dimmesdale refuses to believe this because it is a matter between himself and God, not Chillingworth. A couple days later, Dimmesdale is sleeping and Chillingworth goes in and takes off Dimmesdale's shirt. He is shocked at what he sees on Dimmesdale's chest, thus Chillingworth's theory was proved correct. (It is thought that it is the letter A)
Chillingworth wants to dig deeper into Dimmesdale's heart to find what he is hiding. He does this by constantly having an eye on him, yet at the same time being that good friend who is not too intrusive. Chillingworth shows Dimmesdale his new black leaf he uses for potions. He says he found it on a grave tomb in an attempt to get Dimmesdale talking about buried secrets and redemption. They are interrupted by the laughter of Pearl who gives the men a stare and warns Hester to leave before the Black man comes after them. Chillingworth makes a comment about how he believes the spiritual and physical condition of Dimmesdale is why he has become so sick and ill, but Dimmesdale refuses to believe this because it is a matter between himself and God, not Chillingworth. A couple days later, Dimmesdale is sleeping and Chillingworth goes in and takes off Dimmesdale's shirt. He is shocked at what he sees on Dimmesdale's chest, thus Chillingworth's theory was proved correct. (It is thought that it is the letter A)
Chapter 11: The Interior of a Heart
Chillingworth is determined to keep digging further into the minister's head and into his dark secrets. Even though Chillingworth digs into Dimmesdale's secrets to try and him him, Dimmesdale's career and sermons are at their peak. He is better than many of the past reverends because many of Dimmesdale's sermons are about sin and how he too has a sin. In preaching about this he becomes even more popular because it puts him on the same level as the people. He wants to tell his secret badly, but does not have enough courage to do so. This leads to the vision of Pearl pointing to his hand over his chest and Hester's scarlet letter. He panics and starts to harm himself physically by whipping or having vigils and concludes that the best vigil would be on the scaffold where he should have been standing seven years ago with Hester and Pearl.
Chillingworth is determined to keep digging further into the minister's head and into his dark secrets. Even though Chillingworth digs into Dimmesdale's secrets to try and him him, Dimmesdale's career and sermons are at their peak. He is better than many of the past reverends because many of Dimmesdale's sermons are about sin and how he too has a sin. In preaching about this he becomes even more popular because it puts him on the same level as the people. He wants to tell his secret badly, but does not have enough courage to do so. This leads to the vision of Pearl pointing to his hand over his chest and Hester's scarlet letter. He panics and starts to harm himself physically by whipping or having vigils and concludes that the best vigil would be on the scaffold where he should have been standing seven years ago with Hester and Pearl.
Chapter 12: The Minister's Vigil
In the middle of the night the minister stands on the same scaffold as Hester and Pearl, wishing that no one comes, yet he wants people to come so that he can get the secret out. Dimmesdale shrieks loudly, thinking that it would wake the whole town, but only the Governor and his sister wake up. Reverend Mr. Wilson walks by but does not stop to talk. Following Reverend Wilson, Hester Prynne and Pearl pass by Dimmesdale. He takes Pearl and her hand and she asks him multiple times if he will stand with her and her mother the next day at noon, but he replies by telling her another day and Pearl tries to pull away from him. A meteor then passed by in a shape on an A and once gone, Chillingworth came by and talked to the family. The next day, Dimmesdale talks to Sexton who finds a glove at the scaffold and Dimmesdale goes along with the idea that Satan wanted to set the minister up for looking bad. He also informs that the meteor A stood for angel because General Winthrop passed away the night before.
In the middle of the night the minister stands on the same scaffold as Hester and Pearl, wishing that no one comes, yet he wants people to come so that he can get the secret out. Dimmesdale shrieks loudly, thinking that it would wake the whole town, but only the Governor and his sister wake up. Reverend Mr. Wilson walks by but does not stop to talk. Following Reverend Wilson, Hester Prynne and Pearl pass by Dimmesdale. He takes Pearl and her hand and she asks him multiple times if he will stand with her and her mother the next day at noon, but he replies by telling her another day and Pearl tries to pull away from him. A meteor then passed by in a shape on an A and once gone, Chillingworth came by and talked to the family. The next day, Dimmesdale talks to Sexton who finds a glove at the scaffold and Dimmesdale goes along with the idea that Satan wanted to set the minister up for looking bad. He also informs that the meteor A stood for angel because General Winthrop passed away the night before.