end+of+Scarlet+Letter+notes

Scarlet Letter – End of Book Notes

Dimmesdale dies, confessing in public
 * Pearl kisses him
 * Pearl becomes a real person
 * D. tells Hester this is for the best.

Ch. had planned to go with them on the ship. D’s death wrecks his plans.
 * Ch. has nothing to live for; his life has revolved around persecuting D.
 * Dies after shriveling to nothing
 * Ch. leaves everything to Pearl
 * She becomes an heiress

Hester takes Pearl to Europe
 * We find out later that Pearl does well

Hester comes back to Boston
 * Nursing people who need her
 * Gets letter with heraldic seals on them
 * Non-English coat of arms
 * Hester is finally a counselor
 * Helping people, especially with troubles of the heart
 * She understands when people have done something wrong

Symbol of letter A
 * Many meanings, good and bad
 * Angel, able (not angle)
 * Adultery
 * Pearl as the little A
 * Embroidered A that challenges the community

Thesis = topic + opinion
 * Must be arguable

What’s Hawthorne’s point? Possible thesis topics?
 * Role of women in society
 * Hidden sin vs. confessed sin
 * Dealing with social stigma
 * Effects of revenge or vengeful thinking
 * Individuals finding a way to live in society
 * Are our souls reflected in our outward appearance?
 * Useful for a Romantic writer