Chapters 23 and 24 The Scarlet Letter

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Chapters 23 and 24The Scarlet Letter

• Andrea and Bella

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Chapter 23 Summary

• Dimessdale completes the best, most inspiring
  sermon he has ever given to the townspeople. As
  everyone is leaving he hesitates and calls for
  Hester and Pearl to join him on the scaffold, he
  confesses that he is a sinner and reveals an
  unusual, unknown mark on his chest. After
  confessing the minister collapses and Pearl
  finally kisses him and Chillingworth becomes
  upset. Hester questions Dimmesdale about their
  afterlives and he says that it is up to God to
  decide and dies.

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Chapter 24 Summary

• The aftermath of Dimmesdales death is explained
  and people question his death and the marking on
  his chest. Chillingworth passes away and leaves
  money to Pearl, and she and Hester flee the town.
  Hesters story becomes a legend and is told
  throughout the town, Hester later returns to
  Boston and continues her charity work until she
  passes away. She is buried next to Dimmesdale and
  they share a headstone that bares the scarlet
  letter.

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Themes

• You will not be at peace until you confess your
  sins
• Confessing sin can help you find your true
  identity

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Symbols

• The mark on Dimmesdales chest is symbol of guilt
  and secrecy
• Pearl is a symbol of Hester and Dimmesdales sin
  and she is a punishment as well as a blessing.
• The scaffold is a symbol of the beginning and end
  of Hesterss problems

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Characters

• Hester Prynne- Main character and the bearer of
  the scarlet letter. She is very strong and
  passionate.
• Pearl- The result of Hesters commitment of
  adultery. She is very mischievous and curious and
  also passionate of things
• Chillingworth- Hesters husband. He is very
  bitter and evil and only wants revenge and is
  angry when his plans fall apart
• Dimmesdale- The reverend and also the father of
  Pearl. He is full of guilt but dies a relieved
  soul

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Romantic and Puritan Ideas

• The Puritans were dull and sad and the sin of
  adultery committed by the minister and Hester
  proved that the Puritan Life wasnt as perfect as
  the sought it out to be.

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Literary Devices

• Hawthorne uses a chiasmus in chapter 2 when
  Hester stands on the scaffold as the town
  condemns her as guilty, then in chapter 24
  Dimmesdale stands on the scaffold and condemns
  himself in chapter 23
• In chapter 24 Chillingworths death foreshadows
  Hesters freedom

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Quiz

• What do people think of Dimmesdales sermon?
• a. it is boring
• b. it is the best one he has ever
  written
• c. they laugh
• d. they hate it

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Quiz

• What is the mark on Dimmesdales chest?
• Hesters name
• A
• it is unknown
• liar

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Quiz

• How does Chillingworth feel when Dimmesdale
  confesses?
• Happy
• Sad
• Upset
• Relieved

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Quiz

• 4. What does Pearl do to Dimmesdale before he
  dies?
• a. She kicks him
• b. Gives him a kiss
• c. Gives him a hug
• d. Runs away from him

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Quiz

• 5. How do the townspeople react when Dimmesdale
  confesses?
• They are confused
• They are mad
• They are happy
• They blame Hester