Chapter 24 Summary

As if to further confuse the reader with his point of view in regards the supernatural, Hawthorne discusses, but does not reveal, the true nature of the mark on Dimmesdale's flesh? Was this just another consequence of Dimmesdale's self-flagellation? Did he mark himself? Then, there is the speculation about the physician/sorcerer Chillingworth. Did he put some kind of a spell on the poor minister? Or was this some kind of psychological consequence of Dimmesdale's forlorn demeanor, his obsession with his sin? To make matters even more confusing, Hawthorne points out that some spectators, present at his death, denied that it was there at all nor that his final words suggested such a mark.

Within a year, Chillingworth died himself, his strength ebbing after the loss of his victim. Pearl was given his estate and became very wealthy. Hester and Pearl, shortly afterwards...