As The Scarlet Letter comes to an ending, the characters are again brought back into the scene at the beginning of the novel- the scaffold. Contrary to before, this time at the scaffolding is a day of celebration, as Election Day begins with the “harmony of drum and clarion” and people celebrating all around. Hester is dressed in the same “clad garment of coarse gray and cloth” just as she has been “for seven years past.” Hester’s clothing “had the effect of making her fade personally out of sight and outline; while, again, the scarlet letter brought her back from this twilight indistinctness” and makes the reader wonder, yet again, why Hester wears clothing that makes the A look more apparent? Not until the end does the reader fully understand why Hester insists on wearing the scarlet letter and making it stand out. When Pearl leaves Hester and Hester is left to live by herself in the forest, she still continues to wear the letter, even though Dimmesdale has confessed and Hester could have taken the letter off long ago. Hester was the strongest character in the novel, as she portrayed self-confidence in not trying to be anything that she wasn’t. Hester was the only character in the story that lived up to who she truly was, therefore the A became a part of who she was. Without the A, Hester would be left with “bitterness wherewith she had been drugged, as with a cordial of intensest potency.” The metaphor used to compare “wine of life” with the scarlet letter shows how Hester would be left “bitter” without the letter, as the A is what has made Hester who she is.
The theme of night and day/ light and darkness is associated with Dimmesdale and Hester’s relationship. At nighttime, first on the scaffolding, and then later on in the forest, is the only time that Dimmesdale and Hester are truly happy with each other—when in a completely isolated area. During the daylight, Dimmesdale “seemed so remote from her own sphere, and utterly beyond her reach.” During the daylight, Hester missed the “dim forest, with its little dell of solitude, and love, and aguish, where sitting hand in hand, they had mingled their sad and passionate talk.” The darkness is the only time the two can truly be happy, because Hester and Dimmesdale are isolated from the view of the public, where they are concealed from the sin each committed. However, when in the daylight, the entire world is looking upon each one and not only the sin they committed, but the sin they are afraid to admit.
Dimmesdale’s appearance had “exhibited such energy he was seen in the gait and hair with which he kept his pace in the procession. There was no feebleness of step, as at other times; his frame was not bent; nor did his hand rest ominously upon his heart.” However, Dimmesdale’s change in appearance was “not of the body”, but was rather because of “spiritual” reasonings, foreshadowing the confession of Dimmesdale. After Dimmesale’s “best speech”, he stands upon the scaffolding with Hester and Pearl and finally confesses his sin. After the confession, Pearl finally gives Dimmesdale his long awaited kiss, symbolizing that Pearl is free of her “demonic” ways after the truth has finally been told.
Chillingworth continues to exhibit the personality of “The Black Man” as Dimmesdale tries to confess and Chillingworth attempts to convince Dimmesdale by guilting him with the threat that he will “bring infamy on [his] sacred profession.” Chillingworth isn’t stopping Dimmesdale from confessing for his own good, but because Chillingworth doesn’t want to be embarrassed. Also, without being able to aid Dimmesdale, Chillingworth is no longer classified as a “leech”; therefore, Chillingworth dies, as he no longer has the “blood” to suck out of anyone for his own well being.
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