Chapters 15-18

Hester and Pearl
A Forest Walk
The Pastor and His Parishioner
A Flood of Sunshine
Hester has decided that she hates Chillingworth for doing such evil. She realizes that she never really did like him, and that when married she had been living a lie. Meanwhile, Pearl had been playing near the water. She entertains herself with her reflection and then decides to make a letter ‘A’ on her chest using green seaweed. This of course is the beginning of a discussion between Pearl and Hester as to what the scarlet letter really is. Pearl connects the letter to the fact that Dimmesdale always has his hand over his heart. The question is, does Pearl know that Hester slept with Dimmesdale, or is she simply a naïve child that guessed correctly? Either way, Hester is impacted by the comment and feels like divulging the truth to Pearl. However, she decides against it and tells Pearl that she uses wears the letter because of the gold thread. Persistent Pearl continues to question her mother about the scarlet letter for days to come.

Hester plans to meet Dimmesdale secretly in the forest to tell him the truth about Chillingworth. She learns when he will be in forest and takes Pearl with her to intercept him. While Pearl and Hester are walking, Pearl notes that the sunshine will not touch Hester. Later, Pearl questions her mother about the Black Man and his book because she has heard Mistress Hibbins talking about him. Hester eventually states that she has met the Black Man once and that the scarlet letter is his mark. Dimmesdale then approaches and Pearl thinks that he is the Black Man, but upon recognizing him as only the minister, she goes off to play. Dimmesdale’s walk makes him look like he has no purpose in life, and it appears as if he could die any moment.

Hester and Dimmesale proceed to talk freely thanks to the privacy of the wood. They ask how each other are doing, and then move on to more serious talk. Dimmesdale believes that Hester has it easier because she can show her sin openly, while he is cursed to suffer hidden guilt. Hester finally gathers the courage to tell Dimmesdale that Chillingworth is actually her husband and has been causing Dimmesdale’s suffering. Dimmesdale is despaired and angry with Hester for hiding this. Hester cannot bear Dimmesdale being angry with her, and embraces him with his face buried in the scarlet letter. Dimmesdale finally decides to forgive Hester because he believes that the real sinner is Chillingworth. Hester then convinces Dimmesdale that he must escape Chillingworth’s evilness and the two plan to run away to Enland with Pearl where they will be able to start a new life as a happy family.

The couple is invigorated at the prospect of a happier life and they immediately become livelier. Hester rips off the scarlet letter and casts it aside. She then lets down her hair to become the beautiful guilt-free woman she once was. It is also interesting to note that the sunshine will now touch her. Hester then calls for Pearl to come over and meet Dimmesdale. Pearl had been playing in the pureness of nature and decorated herself with flowers to the point where she seems to be one with Nature. She approaches carefully and skeptically.