The scene begins with Hester taking Pearl to the woods hoping to find Dimmesdale there on his way back from visiting a Native American settlement outside of the town. When the Reverend approaches, Hester sends Pearl off to play by the brook. After a few minutes of conversation, Hester reveals to Dimmesdale that, “Roger Chillingworth! -- he was my husband!” (Hawthorne 214). Infuriated, Dimmesdale blames the pain and suffering that Chillingworth has caused him on Hester, but forgives her when he realizes that Chillingworth’s sin is far worse than either his or Hester’s. The couple then decides that they will catch a ship to Europe after Election Day. For the first time in years, both Hester and Dimmesdale feel joy, and Hester makes the decision to take off the scarlet letter and throw it down by the brook. This is an important scene, because Dimmesdale learns Chillingworth’s true identity, it is the first time in the entire book in which the mood is happy, and a resolution to the problem (Chillingworth’s revenge on Dimmesdale) is
The scene begins with Hester taking Pearl to the woods hoping to find Dimmesdale there on his way back from visiting a Native American settlement outside of the town. When the Reverend approaches, Hester sends Pearl off to play by the brook. After a few minutes of conversation, Hester reveals to Dimmesdale that, “Roger Chillingworth! -- he was my husband!” (Hawthorne 214). Infuriated, Dimmesdale blames the pain and suffering that Chillingworth has caused him on Hester, but forgives her when he realizes that Chillingworth’s sin is far worse than either his or Hester’s. The couple then decides that they will catch a ship to Europe after Election Day. For the first time in years, both Hester and Dimmesdale feel joy, and Hester makes the decision to take off the scarlet letter and throw it down by the brook. This is an important scene, because Dimmesdale learns Chillingworth’s true identity, it is the first time in the entire book in which the mood is happy, and a resolution to the problem (Chillingworth’s revenge on Dimmesdale) is