In this passage, Hawthorne not only describes his ideas about sin, temptation and human frailty, but he also explains the intuitive nature of human
knowledge. Dimmesdale may have removed himself from Hester’s emotional, sphere on this day but she has certainly not lost her intuitive connection with him.
In his voice, she hears and recognized the voices of his heart and also the “low expression anguish”. She may not be able to hear his words distinctly, but she ca
feel his sorrow – laden and guilt heart. In the tone of voice is pleasant for forgiveness.
Somehow, the two sinners must come together. To move towards the climax, Hawthorne has cut off escape with Chillingworth’s action, and he ends the
chapter by describing desain end the sinner side by side. Although the world remain unaware, the principal character are moving closer and closer to this
revelation.
4.3.3 The Revelation of the Scarlet Letter Summary
At the end of Dimmesdale’s election day sermons, the crowd emerges from the church inpirate by powerfull words they have just heard from a man
whom they feel is soon to die. This moment is the most brilliant and triumphant in Dimmesdale’s public life. As the procession of dignitaries marches to a banquet at
the townhall, the feelings of the crowd are expressed in the spontaneous shout of tribute to Dimmesdale.” Never, on new England soil, has stood the manso
honored by his mortal brethren as the preacher” but the shout dies to a mur-mur
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as the people see Dimmesdale totter feebly and nervously in the procession. His face has taken on a deadly pallor, and he can scarcely walk. Several people
attempt to help him, but the minister repels them until he comes to the scaffold where Hester stands holding Pearl by the hand. There Dimmesdale pauses.
As the minister turns to the scaffold he calls Hester and Pearl to his side. Suddenly, Choillingworth appears and attempts to stold Dimmesdale, but the
minister scorn the old physician and cries out too. Hester to help him get up to the scaffold. The crowed watches in
astonishment as the minister, lining on Hester and holdings Pearl’s hand, ascents the scaffold steps. Chillingworth’s face darkens as he realizes that now here else
but on the scaffold can Dimmesdale escape him. The minister tells Hester that he is dying and must acknowledge his
shame. Then hi turns to the crowd and cries out his guilt. His steps in front of Hester and Pearl and declares that on his breast the sign of his sin. He tears the
ministerial band from his breast and for a moment, stands flues had with thriumph before the horrified crowd. Then he sing down upon the scaffold.
Hester lifts Dimmesdale’s head and cradles it against her bosom. Chillingworth, meanwhile, kniles down and, in a tone of defeat, repeats, offer and
offer, “thou has escaped me” the minister ask God’s forgiveness for Chillingwort’s sins : then he turn to Pearl and ask for the kiss. Pearl kisses him
and weeps. Dimmesdale, obviously dying now, tells Hester farewell. She asked
whether they will spend eternity together. In answer, he recalls their sin and says
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he fears that eternal happiness is note a state for a which they can hope. The minister leaves the matter to God, whose mercy he has seen in the afflection
leading to his public confession. His dying words are “Praise be his name his will be done Farewell”
Analysis
Hawthorne brings all the principals character together at a third cscaffold scene in this chapter, which begins with the thriumph of Dimmesdale’s sermon
and end with hie death. Dimmesdale’s sermon is a personal thriumph. In fact, Hawthorne
ironically compares him to an angel who had “shaken his bright wings over the people” and “sheed down a shower of golden truth upon them” this final irony
between his public and private lives revealed when he confesses his sins on the scaffold to all of the people who think of him as a saint. He gives up everything :
his child, his love, his life, and his honor. The relationship to God that he has been preaching about cannot be based on a lie. God sees everything, and Dimmesdale
no matter how hard he has tried, cannot outrun the truth that his conscience and his mind believe. Sailing to Europe will not bring hbim beyond the reach of God’s
knowledge. Not only dodes Dimmesdale confess but he must do so alone although
Hester helps him to the scaffold where she was punish seven years before, she cannot help him, make his peace with God. The church, in the form of Mr. Wilson
and the state, simbolyzed by GGovernor Bellingham both try to hold Dimmesdale
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up as he approaches the scaffold be he repels them and goes on alone. He does turn to Hester prior to his death and ask for the strength, guided by God. Having
escaped the clutches of Chillingworth, it turns to Hester with “an expression of doubt and anxiety in his eyes.”
Before actually confessing, he ask her, “is this not better that what we dreamed of in the forests?” He is asking Hester to confirm the righterousness of
this act and explains to her: “for thee and Pearl, be it as God shall order…let me now do the will which he hath made plan before my sight.” Although Dimmesdale
may still doubt his choice and requires Hester’s strength, in the end, he leaves his fate to God, trusting that his mercy will be more certain in death than
Chillingworth’s relentless thorment is in life. Give that he is dying, Dimmesdale ask Hester whether confession is better
than fleeing. She has lived for seven long years with the torment of her neighbor and the shame of her scarlet letter. She hurriedly answers him that perhaps the
three of them dying together would be preferable, but if Dimmesdale dies alone what will she have? She will have no love, no live, other than the loneliness she
has already has, and a daughter who will have no father. Pearl is given the most wonderful give: a life that is filled with love and
happiness. When her father finally publishly acknowledges her, she kisses him and weeps an actual tears. As Houton says, “the spell is broken.” There is hope
that Pearl will grow up be able to interract with other humans beings, find love, and live along and happy life.
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Chillingworth loses his victory in two way. First, he no longer has Dimmesdale to torment, and second, he receive Dimmesdale’s blessing. Even as
he is dying the minister manages to retain his reverence and his kindness by asking God’s forgiveness for Chillingworth. As Hester noted in her husband’s
changed appearance earlier, revenge is never a positive motive and generally consume it possessor.
4.4 The “A” Symbol
