Chapter 17 summary scarlete letter

Brad Baldwin
Chapter 17: The Pastor and His Parishioner

Summary: This chapter mainly focuses on Hester and Dimmesdale communicating with eachother. They are able to escape the public eye by talking in the forest. This is when Hester breaks the news to Dimmesdale the Chillingworth is her husband. At first Dimmesdale is infuriated. He begins to blame Hester for all of his suffering. During the middle of his rant Hester pulls him into her chest and embraces him. After this Dimmesdale comes to his senses and begins to realize that Chillingworth is the biggest sinner of them all. Hester and Dimmesdale plan to escape the town by catching a boat to Europe, where they can live with Pearl as a family.
Literary Elements:
Setting - the forest
Characterization - “The very contiguity of his enemy, beneath whatever mask the latter might conceal himself, was enough to disturb the magnetic sphere of a being so sensitive as Arthur Dimmesdale.” Shows that Dimmesdale is a very sensitive human being
Major Conflicts\Irony -
Person Vs. Society – Dimmesdale fears that only the worst will happen if the town finds out that he is the father of Pearl and the companion of Hester. This is also ironic because the scarlet A has done the exact opposite for Hester. She has become a much appreciated citizen of the society[situational].
Person Vs. Person – Dimmesdale and Hester are afraid that he will not be able to escape from Chillingworth’s care. This is also situational irony because the beginning reason Chillingworth is watching over Dimmesdale is to help him and cure him of his sickness.
Foreshadowing - When Hester expresses her idea of escaping to Europe it foreshadows Dimmesdale leaving the town and Chillingworth.
Symbolism -The forest setting in this chapter symbolizes the isolation that Dimmesdale has put himself through. He has still kept the secret hidden from everyone in the town.
Themes –
Sometimes letting the secret out is easier than dealing with the consequences of lying
True love cannot be constricted by fear
Figurative Language:” It was with fear, and tremulously, and, as it were, by a slow, reluctant necessity, that Arthur Dimmesdale put forth his hand, chill as death, and touched the chill hand of Hester Prynne.” [Appeals to touch and movement]
Memorable Quotes:
“Thou little knowest what a relief it is, after the torment of a seven years' cheat, to look into an eye that recognizes me for what I am!"
Dimmesdale speaking to Hester about himself
This shows the torment Dimmesdale has put himself through keeping the secret from others. He is explaining how happy he is that he can let out his true feelings to someone he trusts.
Page 176
“…the horrible ugliness of this exposure of a sick and guilty heart to the very eye that would gloat over it! Woman, woman, thou art accountable for this! I cannot forgive thee!”
Dimmesdale is speaking to Hester about Himself
He is placing the blame on Hester for putting him through his suffering when it really is not her fault.
Page 178

Interpretive Question: Why does Hester reveal that Chillingworth is her husband to Dimmesdale?
She is looking out for Dimmesdale’s safety.
She wants to scare him so he leaves with her and Pearl to go to Europe.
She wants to express who her true first love is so Dimmesdale will stop being bothered by the fact that he loves her.
Vocabulary:
Spectre – [noun] a mental image of something unpleasant or menacing Estrange – [verb] to make hostile, unsympathetic, or indifferent Penitence – [noun] regret for wrongdoing

Brad Baldwin Summative Assessment

1. What is the setting in Chapter 17?
a. The Scaffolfd
b. The Forest
c. In The Town
d. In Dimmesdales House

2. Which best describes a characteristic of Dimmesdale?
a. Happy
b. Thoughtful
c. Energetic
d. Sensitive

3. What does Hester tell Dimmesdale in the forest?
a. That she is pregnant
b. That it’s her birthday
c. That Pearl has become sick
d. That Chillingworth is her husband

4. Who does Dimmesdale blame at first for his suffering?
a. Hester
b. Pearl
c. Himself
d. Chillingworth

5. What does the word penitence mean?
a. To be happy
b. Doing the right thing
c. Regret of wrongdoing
d. To write with a pen

Answer Key
1. B
2. D
3. D
4. A
5. C