THE SCARLET LETTER
CHAPTER NOTES 14-17
ADAPTED FROM:
Guelcher, William: THE SCARLET LETTER: STRATEGIES IN TEACHING: Idea Works Inc., Eagan
Minnesota, 1989.
Van Kirk, Susan: HAWTHORNE’S THE SCARLET LETTER: CliffszNotes. IDG Books Worldwide Inc.,
Forest City, California., 2000.
CHAPTERS 14-17
• In Chapter 14, Hawthorne does
what is unthinkable to some
readers: Stirs pity for
Chillingworth.
• Chillingworth notes that Hester
has paid her dues under the
weight of the very public scarlet
letter, and if she had “met earlier
with a better love than mine, this
evil had not been.”
• Nonetheless, Hester sees how evil
he has become and hates him.
CHAPTERS 14-17
• By Chapter 15, the differences in
the two relationships are clear.
• The Hester/Chillingworth
relationship: a marriage accepted
and legal in every way. But it had
no love or passion.
• Hester/Dimmesdale: love and
passion but no marriage.
Forbidden in Puritan society.
• A sad sidenote: Hester is so
desperate for someone to confide
in, she almost confides in Pearl.
CHAPTERS 14-17
•
Chapter 16: “A Forest Walk”
• Rich with atmosphere and
symbolism.
• The chilly gloom of the forest
reflects Hester’s state of mind.
• The narrow footpath through the
dense forest suggest the “moral
wilderness” Hester has been forced
to follow for the past seven years.
• The “Black Man” is connected with
the scarlet letter.
• Pearl is connected with nature,
especially the brook: As a product
of passion, she understands
nature’s wildness and beauty.
CHAPTERS 14-17
• Chapter 17 is critical:
• Hester and Dimmesdale
reawaken their dormant
love.
• Hawthorne indicates his
take on punishment and
forgiveness: Deliberate,
calculated acts of malice
(Chillingworth) are far
worse than sins of passion.
CHAPTERS 14-17
•
Hester and Dimmesdale’s escape
plan reveals the conflict between
natural law and Puritan law.
• Hester believes they can outrun
these “iron men” with their rules,
guilt, and punishment.
• Dimmesdale is not so sure.
• Two forms of moral law: the laws
of God and nature, and the laws
interpreted and written by Puritan
society.
• The dilemma: Can escaping the
rules of man enable them to also
do God’s will?
CHAPTERS 14-17
• In the debate, Hawthorne
reveals important traits of his
characters.
• Hester shows the inner
strength and courage that has
sustained her through seven
years of brutal isolation: “The
whole seven years of outlaw
and ignominy had been little
other than a preparation for
this very hour.”
CHAPTERS 14-17
• Dimmesdale lacks this
perspective and courage.
• He literally calls on Hester’s
strength to support him.
• Remember, that Puritans
believe that God allows
redemption only for the elect
and that salvation is attained
solely through faith and the
gift of divine grace.
• Dimmesdale feels he is already
condemned.