The Scarlet Letter · Chapter
Conclusion explained
The final chapter recounts the aftermath of Dimmesdale's death, the various interpretations of the scarlet letter on his chest, and the fates of the main characters.
What happens
The final chapter recounts the aftermath of Dimmesdale's death, the various interpretations of the scarlet letter on his chest, and the fates of the main characters. Chillingworth withers away after losing his purpose of revenge and dies within the year, leaving his fortune to Pearl. Hester and Pearl disappear for many years, but Hester eventually returns alone to her cottage, resuming the scarlet letter of her own free will. She becomes a counselor to women, offering comfort and hope for a future where the relationship between men and women will be based on mutual happiness. Pearl is believed to have married and lived happily abroad. The chapter concludes with the image of a shared tombstone for Hester and Dimmesdale, bearing a scarlet letter 'A' on a black field.
Themes in this chapter
Redemption and Transformation
Hester's scarlet letter transforms from a symbol of shame to one of reverence and sorrow, and she finds a new purpose in counseling other women.
Revenge and Forgiveness
Chillingworth's life loses all meaning after his revenge is complete, and the narrator suggests that hatred and love may ultimately be the same, hinting at a possible transmutation in the spiritual world.
Gender and Power
Hester envisions a future where the relationship between men and women will be based on mutual happiness, and she becomes a source of counsel for women suffering from societal constraints.
Characters to notice
- Hester Prynne
Returns to Boston after Pearl's departure, voluntarily resumes wearing the scarlet letter, and becomes a respected counselor to women in sorrow.
- Pearl
Inherits Chillingworth's fortune, leaves Boston with Hester, and is believed to have married happily abroad, sending tokens of remembrance to her mother.
- Roger Chillingworth
Dies within a year of Dimmesdale's death, having lost all vitality after his revenge is complete; bequeaths his property to Pearl.
- Arthur Dimmesdale
His death on the scaffold is recounted, with various theories about the origin of the scarlet letter on his chest; his grave is near Hester's, but with a space between.
- Governor Bellingham
Serves as executor of Chillingworth's will.
- John Wilson
Serves as executor of Chillingworth's will.
Key passages
“But there was a more real life for Hester Prynne here, in New England, than in that unknown region where Pearl had found a home. Here had been her sin; here, her sorrow; and here was yet to be her penitence.”
Hester felt that her true life was in New England, where she had sinned and suffered, and where she needed to continue her penance.
Explains Hester's decision to return to Boston after leaving with Pearl.
“She assured them, too, of her firm belief, that, at some brighter period, when the world should have grown ripe for it, in Heaven's own time, a new truth would be revealed, in order to establish the whole relation between man and woman on a surer ground of mutual happiness.”
Hester told the women who sought her counsel that she believed a future revelation would create a more equal and happy relationship between men and women.
Highlights Hester's prophetic vision for gender equality.
“Among many morals which press upon us from the poor minister's miserable experience, we put only this into a sentence:—'Be true! Be true! Be true! Show freely to the world, if not your worst, yet some trait whereby the worst may be inferred!'”
The main lesson from Dimmesdale's suffering is the importance of honesty and revealing one's true self to the world.
Summarizes the moral of the story as the narrator interprets it.
