"And there stood the minister, with his hand over his heart; and Hester Prynne, with the embroidered letter glimmering on her bosom; and little Pearl, herself a symbol, and the connecting link between these two" (Hawthorne 140)
Explanation- In this quote there is a symbolism of the sins of each character. In Hester the sin is represented through her Scarlet letter. It symbolizes her adulterous ways; this glimmering letter clearly shines in the night sky. In Dimmesdale the sin is represented whenever he puts his hand over his heart. In this symbolic act there is a physical representation of his sin but it is hidden. Dimmesdale would like to reveal his sin, but it is necessary for the good of the town that this sin keeps tormenting him. Pearl intertwines all these sinful acts by bringing them into life, which these two souls have to bear with forever.
Question- How long has Chillingworth been staring at Dimmesdale, how much does he know?
"Thou wouldst not promise to take my hand, and mother's hand, to-morrow noontide!" (142)
Explanation- In this quote Pearl is asking the good reverend to stay by their sides noon tomorrow and be judged by the village. The good reverend can not afford to do this. He has decided that he keep this sin buried deep inside his heart, and not only that but all those that have sinned too. This torment of his heart shall be his punishment for the sin he has made. But he does say that,"At the Great Judgment day" (139), he will confess before God his sin and be judged by him only. Because Dimmesdale believes that this sin is between him and God, and that no other person had the right to judge him. It is the opposite position of how Proctor felt; that the people should judge his sins, not God.
Question- What is the true representation of the letter "A" in the sky, would it be angel or adultery?
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