The Final Scaffold Scene In The Scarlett Letter

The final scaffold scene in The Scarlet Letter serves as an illuminating incident where various themes and there meanings are explained. The kiss Arthur and his daughter share and how it transforms Pearl into a compassionate human shows the reader why Nathaniel Hawthorne emphasized the importance of their kiss in previous scenes. Pearl is explained throughout the books as an “elf-child” but her interaction with the reverend finally enlightens her and tell the reader her relationship with her father is so meaningful. The effects of self-punishment and guilt are evident during the scaffold scene and its significance.
The most significant moment of clarity came when Pearl finally gave Arthur Dimmesdale the affection he yearned for. Pearl, angry at the minister’s unwillingness to acknowledge her, chose to withhold her love from him. What young Pearl did not realize is that Arthur would sacrifice his reputation and life for her kiss. On the scaffold, in front of the entire town, the respected minister announced to everyone who worshiped him that he was a sinner. The Dimmesdale, greatly exhausted by the explosion of honestly that he released, asked Pearl his dying wish,
“dear little Pearl, wilt thou kiss me now? Thou wouldst not yonder, in the forest! But now thou wilt?” Pearl kissed his lips. A spell
As a respected representative of the Puritan church Arthur feared the consequences of ignominy. He watched as his lover, Hester Prynne, was outcasted from society and forced to wear and “A” on her chest .Arthur thought the admiration he got from the Puritans was undeserved because he was an adulterer and a liar. The reverend preached what he himself did not follow which made him feel tremendously guilty. The guilt Reverend Mr. DImmesdale extended to his inability to help Hester raise their child. When Hester is accused of being a bad mother Arthur is described as