The Scarlet Letter Chapter 19 Summary And Analysis

Hester resolves that it is now time for Pearl and Dimmesdale to meet. Dimmesdale confesses his fear of someone one day, discovering a similarity between him and Pearl. However, Hester reassures him that her daughter will accept him as long as he does not arouse strong emotions in her.

Pearl slowly advances towards the couple. Dimmesdale notices her reluctance and places his hand on his bosom. When Pearl sees her mother’s hair falling over her shoulder and the scarlet letter falling to the ground, she goes into a passionate fit.

Immediately Hester tries to draw the cap over her hair and fastens the badge back to her dress. She then explains, but Dimmesdale wants her to pacify pearl. No sooner had Hester changed her appearance than Pearl came to her and kissed the scarlet in a mockingly.

It is Pearl’s desire for the minister to acknowledge her publicly. Hester promises her that he will make his confession later. Dimmesdale, on the other hand, places a kiss on Pearl’s forehead in order to appease her. However, pearl instead washes the kiss off her forehead and stands away from the lovers with the brook cheerlessly babbling on.

A Brief Chapter 19 Analysis

In this chapter, Pearl is the most influential character. What’s more, her response to Hester and Dimmesdale together doing not portend a happy ending. Pearl strongly symbolizes her parents’ act of passion. She constantly reminds them of their sin. Throughout the novel, she has proved that human laws and rules do not apply to her. She also appears devoid of human sympathy.

It appears pearl has realized that her world might be radically changing. She is also in tandem with nature as the brook makes a perfect reflection of her image. The tantrum she throws due to the absence of the scarlet shows her disapproval of the new situation.