Chapter 23 The Scarlet Letter By Anthony Hernandez & Andrew Machado

Key Characters: Hester Prynne Pearl Dimmesdale Roger Chillingworth

Setting: Outside the Church The Marketplace **The Scaffold**

Summary Dimmesdale gives what will be his final sermon, which in the citizens of Boston praise him for. Dimmesdale stands upon the Scaffold and confesses his sin, Chillingworth tries to stop him but doesn’t. Dimmesdale tears of his shirt and reveals a marking on his chest which brings about further realizations for the Citizens about the connection between Pearl, Hester, and Dimmesdale. Hester, Pearl, and Dimmesdale are finally together as a “family” for a single moment, and then Dimmesdale dies. Chillingworth is infuriated because Dimmesdale “escaped him” and this anger leads to his demise.

Major Themes: Revelation – The City finally realizes the connection between Dimmesdale’s illness and Hester’s sin Peace – Dimmesdale finally is at peace with himself now that he has confessed, however, he ends up dying. ]’= Defeat – Roger Chillingworth is defeated because Dimmesadale “Escaped” him by dying.