Chapters XXII-END

Chapters XXII-XIV
The Procession
The Revelation of the Scarlet Letter
Conclusion

The chapter begins with a parade in honor of Election Day. Hester notices that Dimmesdale is full of energy. Pearl says that she would kiss him now. Mistress Hibbins says that the change in Dimmesdale is insincere; that he may appear pious now, but that he really serves the Black Man. Dimmesdale’s sermon is described by its tone, not what it says. It is full of power and eloquence, but everyone notices some sorrow in it. While the sermon is going on, Pearl is running around playing and receives a message from a sea captain saying that Chillingworth will be joining Hester, Pearl and Dimmesdale on the boat. When Pearl tells Hester, she is horrified, realizing that they will be unable to escape Chillingworth. The chapter closes with a growing group of people standing around Hester and staring at her.

After his sermon, there is a change in Dimmesdale, His former energy is gone, and he is barely able to walk. Dimmesdale, noticing Hester and Pearl, stops by the scaffold and calls to them. They come to him, and joining hands, walk together up onto the scaffold. The entire time, Chillingworth follows telling Dimmesdale not to confess. Dimmesdale confesses all of his sins and says that Pearl is his daughter. He then rips off his shirt revealing the letter A. Saying farewell, he dies.

The narrator remarks that most peoples accounts of what happened on the scaffold the day Dimmesdale died differ greatly. The stories of where the A on Dimmesdale’s chest came from also vary wildly. The narrator says that one should be truthful and not hide their sins. After Dimmesdale’s death, Chillingworth gave all of his property to Pearl. The two leave for Europe, but years later Hester returns, still wearing the scarlet letter. Rumor has it that Pearl married rich. Hester is said to have received many costly gifts from Europe as well as having knitted a baby outfit. She finally dies, and is buried next to Dimmesdale.