Chapters 21 and 22
The Scarlet Letter
Jodie and Amelia
Chapter 21 Summary
A gathering occurs in the marketplace to celebrate
the instatement of a new governor. The crowd is
not very joyful even though the setting seems
festive, but the mood is brighter than the time of
Hester’s punishment. The ship that is taking Hester
and Dimmesdale to Europe is docked and Pearl asks
Hester if the strange minister will hold her hand as
he did before. Hester envisions herself away from
the judgment and loneliness she faced after her
commitment of adultery. It is revealed by a sailor
the Chillingworth will be joining them on their trip
to Europe.
Chapter 22 Summary
A group of soldiers and town fathers are presented and
they display very strong characters. Everyone notices that
Dimmesdale no longer looks sick and depressed, but now
looks exultant and hopeful. Pearl tells Hester that she
wishes to kiss Dimmesdale and Hester disapproves.
Mistress Hibbins approaches Hester and says soon the
ministers mark of the black man will be revealed to all,
implying that the devil is Pearl’s father. She also says she
knows about Dimmesdale and Hester’s meeting in the
forest and his secret will soon be revealed. Then Hester
listens to Dimmesdale’s sermon and is informed that
Chillingworth will bring Dimmesdale on board and while
she is worrying about this she realizes all eyes are on her.
Themes
• You cant run away from your
problems.
• Facing your sins can help you
escape depression.
Symbols
• In chapter 21 it says “This effervescence made her flit
with a bird-like movement, rather than walk by her
mothers side.” The comparison to the bird symbolizes
faith, freedom and travel and also the link between
heaven and earth.
• The author says the market place had a tint “that was
sad gray, brown or black of the English emigrants.”
Gray symbolizing sadness and dreariness, black
symbolizing remorse, anger and detachment and
brown symbolizing home and simplicity.
• Pearl is a symbol of Hester and Dimmesdale’s sin and
she is a punishment as well as a blessing.
Characters
• Hester Prynne- Main character and the bearer of
the scarlet letter. She is very strong and
passionate.
• Pearl- The result of Hester’s commitment of
adultery. She is very mischievous and curious.
• Chillingworth- Hester’s husband. He is very bitter
and evil and only wants revenge.
• Dimmesdale- The reverend and also the father of
Pearl. He is full of guilt.
• Mistress Hibbins- often referred to as a witch. She
is a widow who lives with the governor.
Romantic and Puritan Ideas
In chapter 21, the author talks a lot about how
dull and sad puritans are. “The puritans
compressed whatever mirth and public joy the
deemed allowable to human infirmity” and
“they appeared scarcely more grave than most
other communities.” The author refers to this as
“puritanic gloom.”
Literary Devices
Ch. 21
• Wampum belts: Belt-wampum beads were rectangular cutouts, with
drilled holes, rolled smooth on sandstone, then woven into a shell-beaded
fabric. They recorded agreements (allusion)
• Wrestling in the style of Cornwall and Devonshire: Cornwall and
Devonshire are regions in England (allusion)
• When it is revealed that Chillingworth will be joining them on the trip in
foreshadows the collapse of the current joyful tone.
Ch. 22
• Mistress Hibbins is an allusion to Anne Hibbins a women executed for
witchcraft in 1656.
• Mistress Hibbins foreshadows Dimmesdale coming clean about his secret.
• Chillingworth’s news about the trip foreshadows things not working out as
Hester planned.
Quiz
1. What does the sailor tell Hester?
2. Why was the town gathered in the market
place?
3. Who does Mistress Higgins accuse of being
Pearl’s father?
4. Where are Hester, Pearl and Dimmesdale
traveling to?
5. What did Pearl wish to do that Hester did not
approve of?
Answers
1. That Chillingworth will be joining them on
their trip.
2. To celebrate the new governor.
3. The devil, will also take the black man or
Dimmesdale.
4. Europe.
5. Kiss Dimmesdale.