Chapter 15 – Hester and Pearl

Summary

When Chillingworth leaves Hester she realizes how evil he has become and hates him. While they were talking, Pearl played on the beach and she gathered together some seaweed and made a scarf forming a green letter A on her chest.

Again Pearl asks what the scarlet letter means, and Hester is tempted to confide in her, but holds back. 

Interpretation

At this stage in the novel, the reader should have a clear understanding regarding the relationships between Hester and Chillingworth, and then Dimmesdale. 

The first was a loveless marriage, and her final words concerning her husband are “Be it sin or no, I hate the man!”

The relationship Hester had with Dimmesdale was one of love and passion, but because it was out of wedlock, it was a dire sin in the Puritan society.

Love really does not come into the equation concerning marriage. Love is akin to lust, and is regarded by the Puritans as an evil feeling.

We also have an insight into Hester’s quandary in that she has no one to confide in, and therefore, cannot unburden her mind.