The Scarlet Letter - Chapter 17 Summary & Analysis

This Study Guide consists of approximately 69 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more - everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of The Scarlet Letter.

The Scarlet Letter - Chapter 17 Summary & Analysis

This Study Guide consists of approximately 69 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more - everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of The Scarlet Letter.
This section contains 361 words
(approx. 1 page at 400 words per page)
Buy The Scarlet Letter Study Guide

Chapter 17 Summary

Hester approaches the Reverend Dimmesdale in the forest. At first meeting, both of them think the other is some kind of shade, apparition or ghost. Has Hester found peace? She answers by looking down on the letter. He has found only despair. But Hester attempts to refute his despair. Has he not found people who need and respect him? Yes, but it just makes him feel worse, as a hypocrite and a sinner.

She chides him for this. He tells her that in some way the letter is a blessing for her sin is an open secret, but his burns in solitary. It is "all falsehood!- all emptiness!-all death!" Touchingly, she tells him she, his partner in sin, is his friend. But now she reveals to him the enmity of Chillingworth. She tells him that he was her husband.

In his...

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This section contains 361 words
(approx. 1 page at 400 words per page)
Buy The Scarlet Letter Study Guide
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The Scarlet Letter from Gale. ©2005-2006 Thomson Gale, a part of the Thomson Corporation. All rights reserved.