Ch

a

pter 20: The Minister in a Maze

• • • • • Hester and Dimmesdale decide to leave in four days’ time—after the Election Sermon Dimmesdale is happy that he can “leave” his office after the Election Sermon Hester has booked passage to Bristol for herself and two others; the captain has allowed her to board for her good works with the Sisters of Charity.

Dimmesdale leaves the forest a new man.

He has a plan to be with his family • • • The forest and Hester’s strength and their plan to run away to Europe together has changed Dimmesdale He never would have thought this way before Dimmesdale feels a heavy burden lifted from his soul—and he begins to think of many sinful thoughts. Why is this important?

1

Dimmesdale’s Dark Thoughts

• • • • • • On his return to Boston Dimmesdale encounters the following five groups of people and has these THOUGHTS: 1. Church Deacon – Blasphemy: Dimmesdale wants to share his negative thoughts about the Puritan Church 2. Eldest Dame of the Church -Dimmesdale wants to tell her there is no Heaven/No Afterlife.

3. Sweet, Young Virgin - Dimmesdale wants to give her a “dirty” look 4. Puritan Children - Dimmesdale wants to teach them how to swear 5. Sailors - Dimmesdale want to go out and drink with them 2

Mistress Hibbins

• • • • Dimmesdale also encounters Mistress Hibbins on his way home She calls him a “kindred spirit” She knows he was in the forest and invites him to go there with her to meet the Black Man (Devil) This is the same conversation she had with Hester outside of the Governor’s Mansion • Interesting fact: Anne Hibbins was a real person. Wife of a Boston politician, she was hanged in 1656 for witchcraft!

3

Dimmesdale at Home

• • • Dimmesdale returns home and encounters Chillingworth Dimmesdale now knows Chillingworth is Hester’s husband and feels he has a slight advantage over him Dimmesdale tells Chillingworth he has breathed free air and no longer needs him anymore 4

SYMBOLISM

• • • For the first time in years Dimmesdale eats a huge meal Symbolic of the Last Supper He eats to gain strength, knowing what he will soon face 5

SYMBOLISM

• • • • • Dimmesdale writes his sermon for Election Day He writes all night long He falls asleep and wakes up with golden sunlight across his face Sunlight = Truth Golden = New Beginning/Reveal the Truth 6

FINAL SCAFFOLD

• • • • Chapter 21 : “The New England Holiday” Chapter 22 : “The Procession” Chapter 23 : “The Revelation” Chapter 24 : “Conclusion” 7

Ch

a

pter 21: New England Holiday

• • • • Election Day was an important Puritan holiday. It was the day a new governor was elected. At the start of the Election Sermon and celebration, Hester and Pearl wait for Dimmesdale The town is in a festive mood for the inauguration of the new governor Pearl notices how strange Dimmesdale’s physical features look • • At the end of the chapter, Hester receives disturbing news that an additional passenger has also secured passage onto the ship bound for Bristol—and this person claims to be “of [Hester’s] party” Will Chillingworth ever unleash his clutch on Dimmesdale?

8

Mood/Tone

• • • Bright Sunlight Everyone is there Festive/holiday spirit 9

SYMBOLISM

• • • • Pearl is dressed in red Described over and over as a bird Birds can fly to freedom If the truth is revealed, Pearl will be free to fly to happiness (foreshadowing) 10

Pearl’s Questions

• • Pearl wants to know if Dimmesdale will be there and if he will acknowledge them.

Pearl reminds Hester of the night on the scaffold and the day in the forest, pointing out how useless they were because there was no one around to witness it.

11

Chillingworth’s Plan

• • Chillingworth is in the crowd talking to the Ship’s Captain The same Captain Hester just bought tickets from for Dimmesdale, Pearl and herself 12

The Discovery

• • • The Captain speaks to Hester and informs her that Chillingworth has booked passage on the same ship as them Hester panics Chillingworth smiles at her from across the market place in an evil way 13