Response to Literature chapters 16-24
Several days later Hester meets Dimmesdale in the forest and Pearl is now seven. Pearl continues to inquire persistently about Hester's past, the scarlet letter and the minister. Hester sends Pearl off to play so that she can talk with the clergyman alone. Hester reveals Chillingsworth true inducements with the minister and Hester begs for forgiveness and is forgiven. The two also infer about leaving Boston and escaping on a boat to Europe, which both agree become overjoyed, Hester rips off her scarlet A. Hester then beckons Pearl over, but refuses to obey until Hester puts on the letter. Election day was hither, Hester had arranged passport to Europe and later that day Roger discovers
their plan of escape. Roger decides to plan to attend with Hester, Pearl and Arthur but the headmaster informed Hester of her new found company. Dimmesdale delivers an exquisite sermon and publicizes his plan to leave the church. Dimmesdale however, climbs up onto the scaffold, with the resistance of Chillingsworth (still desiring vengeance), tears his shirt, revealing the scarlet A upon his chest. Confessing his sin, Arthur dies in Hester's arms; thereafter Roger, losing his revenge, dies. The death of Chillingsworth resulted in an inheritance for Pearl enabling them to travel to Europe. Much superstition came from Hester's return to Boston, without Pearl, many rumors surfaced, but some discussed of a wealthy marriage in Europe. Hester died still wearing the scarlet letter and was buried with Arthur Dimmesdale.