Chapter 21 – The New England Holiday
Summary
The Chapter title indicates that on this day there is a procession and
celebration as the elected officials assume their positions.
Hester and Pearl go to the market place to watch and Hester ponders about
her new life with Dimmesdale, a life as a woman once again. She watches the procession passively, and Pearl continues to annoy her by asking precocious questions.
She asks whether the Minister will acknowledge them on the scaffold. Hester tries to keep her quiet. Hester then meets the Captain of the ship bound for Bristol, who advises her that they will have a companion on the voyage, Roger Chillingworth.
Interpretation
Again we witness Pearl’s embarrassing behavior when in the company of other
people, unlike when she is alone in the forest. There is also the unwelcome news that Chillingworth is also going back to Europe. It is clear that the couple will have difficulty in escaping the clutches
of this evil man.
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