1. Guided Notes Chapters 21-24
The Scarlet Letter
Guided Notes Chapters 21-24

2. Chapter 21: The New England Holiday
Hester was “dead” to the world (203) End of second paragraph, “It was like a mask…with which she still seemed to mingle.”
Hester is already saying goodbye to the town and its people in her heart (203) Center of third paragraph, “‘Look your last on the scarlet letter and its wearer!…burn upon her bosom!’”

4. Chapter 21 cont.
Pearl is restless and her high spirits reflected Hester’s inner emotions (excitement for journey) (204) Last sentence of fourth paragraph, “Pearl, who was the gem…Hester’s brow.”
Pearl recognizes her father’s (Dimmesdale’s) hypocrisy (205) “‘What a strange sad man is he!...with his hand always over his heart!’”

5. Chapter 21 cont.
Hawthorne includes a long passage about how Puritan New England is different from England ( ) Par. starts with “But we perhaps exaggerate,” highlight from second line, “The persons now in the market-place of Boston…world has ever witnessed.” (206) + Par. starts with “It may not be too much,” highlight last lines, “Their immediate posterity…the forgotten art of gayety.” (208)

6. Chapter 21 cont.
Chillingworth invites himself on their voyage! Read passage on page 210 starting with “‘So, mistress…’”
Chillingworth gives Hester a creepy smile ( ) “Nothing further passed between the mariner and Hester…conveyed secret and fearful meaning.”

8. Chapter 22: The Procession
There is a procession, first of soldiers, then statesmen (incl. governor), then church officials (incl. Dim.)( )
Dim. shows a lot of energy as he walks in the procession, and everyone notices it (213) “It was the observation of those who beheld him now…his strength seemed not of the body.”

9. Chapter 22 cont.
Hester feels uneasy while observing Dim. because he seems like someone she doesn’t know (214) “Hester Prynne, gazing steadfastly…beyond her reach.” + “Her spirit sank with the idea that all…and found him not.”
Pearl remarks upon how strange Dim. looks (215) “‘I could not be sure that it was he…bid me be gone?’”

10. Chapter 22 cont.
Mistress Hibbins (the witch) confronts Hester claiming the devil has a way of exposing people who try to hide their sin (i.e. Dimmesdale) (217) Par. starts with “‘Fie, woman, fie!’” Highlight from “‘When the Black Man sees one of his own…Ha, Hester Prynne!’”
Mistress Hibbins tells Pearl she is the devil’s daughter (217) “‘No matter, darling!...hand over his heart!’”

11. Chapter 22 cont.
Dim.’s sermon is filled with emotion (218) Last sentences of par. that starts with, “This vocal organ was…” Highlight “The complaint of a human heart…his most appropriate power.”
Hester feels a connection with the spot where the scaffold is (218) End of following par. “There was a sense within her…that gave it unity.”

12. The Power of Dimmesdale’s Sermon
“…it rose through progressive gradations of sweetness and power, until its volume seemed to envelop her with an atmosphere of awe and solemn grandeur” (218).

13. Chapter 22 cont.
Hester is devastated by the way Chillingworth ruined her happy ending (220) “Pursuing a zigzag course…right in the midst of their path.”
The townspeople gather around Hester to stare at her scarlet letter again; same women as before make it burn again as much as it did that first day (221) Final lines of second to last par. “Hester saw and recognized those self-same faces…the first day she put it on.”

14. Chapter 23: The Revelation
Dim.’s final sermon, since it is on the verge of his death, is like the voice of an angel (222) End of second par. “Yes; their minister whom they so loved…shower of golden truths upon them.”
Dim. looks weak and weary again (224) Par. starts with, “As the ranks…” Highlight: “The glow, which…and did not fall!”

15. Chapter 23 cont.
Dim. turns toward scaffold and reaches to Hester, but Chilli. tries to stop them (225) “He turned towards the scaffold…bring infamy on your sacred profession?”
People could not believe what was happening and stood in shock (226) “The crowd was in a tumult…at its closing scene.”

16. Chapter 23 cont.
Discuss Dimmesdale’s final confession (227) “People of New England!”
Dim. reveals his chest and falls; C. has failed! (228) “With a convulsive motion…Thou hast escaped me!”
Pearl’s spell is broken and she is free to be a part of the world (229) “Pearl kissed his lips…anguish was all fulfilled.”

19. Chapter 23 cont.
H. and Dim.’s sin will keep them from ever being able to meet again in a union after death :,( (229) “Hush, Hester…an everlasting and pure reunion.”
Dim. dies (229) “That final word came forth…the departed spirit.”

20. Chapter 24: Conclusion
On his chest? Three theories: torture upon himself, something Chilli. caused to appear by magic and poisonous drugs, or “the ever active tooth of remorse” eating him from the inside-out (230)
There were also people who refused to admit that he was a sinner and who claimed not to have seen the letter (231)

21. Chapter 24 cont.
“Among many morals which press upon us from the poor minister’s miserable experience, we put only this into a sentence:
BE TRUE! BE TRUE! BE TRUE!
Show freely to the world, if not your worst, yet some trait whereby the worst may be inferred!” (231)

22. Chapter 24 cont.
Chillingworth withers up and dies because he has nothing left to live for; leaves a big inheritance for Pearl ( )
Pearl becomes the richest heiress in the New World (232)
Hester and Pearl disappear, but Hester returns to her cottage alone many years later (233)

23. Chapter 24 cont.
Pearl becomes a woman somewhere and meets someone (233)
Pearl is having a baby? Hester sews baby clothes (234)
Hester becomes a valued and respected counselor for the townspeople, especially women (234)

24. Chapter 24 cont.
Hester dies and is buried next to Dimmesdale; their headstone is a reminder of their sin (235) “So said Hester Prynne…” until THE END!!!!!