The five major scenes in The Scarlet Letter In Nathaniel Hawthorne’s, The Scarlet Letter, there are five major scenes that are huge turning points for the characters involved. These scenes are powerful to the readers and essential for the progression of the plot. The first major scene was when Hester stood on the scaffold holding her tiny baby in her arms with the striking scarlet letter “A” embroidered on her bosom. The second was three long years after Hester had descended from her shameful perch when there was discussion whether Pearl should be permitted to stay with her sinful mother or not. The third turning point was when Dimmesdale, Hester, and Pearl stood on the scaffold together in the dead of night. The fourth important scene was
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This scene begins in chapter twelve. “Subtly tortured by Chillingworth and finally driven half-insane, Dimmesdale has dressed in his ministerial robes and left his room at midnight, hoping to find relief in a private mimicry of public confession” (Cowley 14). While on the scaffold, Dimmesdale “shrieked aloud; an outcry that went pealing through the night” (Hawthorne 163). After he had cried out, he thought that it was over and that the whole town would find him there, “but it was not so” (Hawthorne 163). However, Governor Bellingham and Mistress Hibbins did open their windows and Mr. Wilson walked past the scaffold, but surely no one saw him there. Hester and Pearl appear and they join Dimmesdale on the scaffold after he says, “Ye have both been here before, but I was not with you. Come up hither once again, and we will stand all three together” (Hawthorne 168). This scene is significant because it is a reflection of the very first scene and it is foreshadowing for a future scene. The way Cowley writes about how meaningful this scene is very well said: “This tableau, occurring at the exact center of the drama, is the turning point of The Scarlet Letter; from now the tempo will be quicker. The first half of the story has covered a space of seven years; the second half will cover no more than fifteen days” (Cowley …show more content…
This unfolds in chapters fifteen through nineteen “and is set in the forest” (Cowley 15). Hawthorne writes, “So strangely did they meet in the dim wood that is was like the first encounter in the world beyond the grave, of two spirits who had been intimately connected in their former life, but now stood coldly shuddering, in mutual dread...Each a ghost, and awe-stricken at the other ghost!” (Hawthorne 209). Hester asks Dimmesdale to forgive her when she tells him that Chillingworth was her husband that she had wronged. At first he says, “Woman, woman, thou art accountable for this! I cannot forgive thee!” (Hawthorne 215), but then Hester makes him forgive her. The two of them share a romantic moment and they agree to travel back to England so they can start a new life together. Also during this time “Hester unpins the scarlet A from her dress and lets down her long black glossy hair” (Cowley 16). However this does not last long because Pearl throws a fit when she sees her mother without the scarlet letter. Hawthorne writes that Pearl “burst into a fit of passion, gesticulating violently, and throwing her small figure into the most extravagant contortions. She accompanied this wild outbreak with piercing shrieks” (Hawthorne
This scene begins in chapter twelve. “Subtly tortured by Chillingworth and finally driven half-insane, Dimmesdale has dressed in his ministerial robes and left his room at midnight, hoping to find relief in a private mimicry of public confession” (Cowley 14). While on the scaffold, Dimmesdale “shrieked aloud; an outcry that went pealing through the night” (Hawthorne 163). After he had cried out, he thought that it was over and that the whole town would find him there, “but it was not so” (Hawthorne 163). However, Governor Bellingham and Mistress Hibbins did open their windows and Mr. Wilson walked past the scaffold, but surely no one saw him there. Hester and Pearl appear and they join Dimmesdale on the scaffold after he says, “Ye have both been here before, but I was not with you. Come up hither once again, and we will stand all three together” (Hawthorne 168). This scene is significant because it is a reflection of the very first scene and it is foreshadowing for a future scene. The way Cowley writes about how meaningful this scene is very well said: “This tableau, occurring at the exact center of the drama, is the turning point of The Scarlet Letter; from now the tempo will be quicker. The first half of the story has covered a space of seven years; the second half will cover no more than fifteen days” (Cowley …show more content…
This unfolds in chapters fifteen through nineteen “and is set in the forest” (Cowley 15). Hawthorne writes, “So strangely did they meet in the dim wood that is was like the first encounter in the world beyond the grave, of two spirits who had been intimately connected in their former life, but now stood coldly shuddering, in mutual dread...Each a ghost, and awe-stricken at the other ghost!” (Hawthorne 209). Hester asks Dimmesdale to forgive her when she tells him that Chillingworth was her husband that she had wronged. At first he says, “Woman, woman, thou art accountable for this! I cannot forgive thee!” (Hawthorne 215), but then Hester makes him forgive her. The two of them share a romantic moment and they agree to travel back to England so they can start a new life together. Also during this time “Hester unpins the scarlet A from her dress and lets down her long black glossy hair” (Cowley 16). However this does not last long because Pearl throws a fit when she sees her mother without the scarlet letter. Hawthorne writes that Pearl “burst into a fit of passion, gesticulating violently, and throwing her small figure into the most extravagant contortions. She accompanied this wild outbreak with piercing shrieks” (Hawthorne