The Scarlet Letter

Chapters 1&2:
In the first two chapters of The Scarlet Letter, Hester Prynne is displayed in front of all of Boston to tell them that she has committed an unlawful action. They discover that she had committed adultery. In consequence for this, Hester is forced to wear an "A" on her clothes to symbolize that she is an adulterer. Hester soon puts her guilt behind her and accepts her punishment.

Chapters 3&4:
In the crowd at Hester's viewing is her husband, whom Hester has not seen for very long. Hester was sent by her husband, Roger Chillingsworth, to America. He committed to following Hester to America after he completed some unfinished business. It turns out that Roger was captured by the Native Americans and held captive. Hester and Roger meet and she agrees to not reveal him as her husband to anyone.

Chapters 5&6
Now that Hester has been released from her prison sentence, she gets along by doing needlework. For example, she crafted a pair of gloves for the governor. Hester has many problems with her daughter, Pearl. Hester firmly believes that because of her own sin, her daughter is evil and it is her punishment. Because Hester gave up so much and went through horrible times for committing adultery and getting pregnant, the name Pearl seems suiting for her daughter.

Chapters 7&8
There have now been rumors around the town that the governor and other officials are wanting to take Pearl away from Hester. Hester finds out about this, and while she delivers the gloves she made for the governor, she confronts them about the rumor. She explains that because of her mistakes she can teach Pearl first hand on right and wrong. Dimmesdale proves to be on the side of Hester and thinks that she should be able to keep Pearl. This influences the official's decision and becomes reality.

Chapters 9&10
During this chapter the townspeople of Boston are very worried for Dimmesdale. He has been very sick, so a physician of the town, Chillingworth, has moved in with him. The town adores Chillingworth at the beginning but then they start to see an evil look on his face. Some believe that Chillingworth is trying to take Dimmesdales soul. Dimmesdale has many scenes of biblical adultery in his room. Little do they both know, they were both involved in the adultery act of Hester. Chillingworth's room contain a laboratory. Chillingworth hopes to be able to find a cure for Dimmesdale. Dimmesdale is very hard on himself for commiting adultery with Hester. He suffers from a large amount of guilt. He often beats himself because he can not confess his sins.

Chapters 11&12
Dimmesdale can not hardly bare the sins he has committed. He tries to punish himself by beating himself and fasting. He decides to go to the scaffold to confess his sins when Hester and Pearl see him. They all go to the scaffold and stand there together. Pearl mentions to Dimmesdale that she would like him to stand with them the next day at noon time, but Dimmesdale says it is not yet time for him to do so. This does not make Pearl like Dimmesdale very much. While standing, Pearl notices Chillingworth watching the three stand together on the scaffold.

Chapters 13&14
It has been seven years since Pearl's birth and Hester is a very different person. She tends the sick and whoever needs tending. Hester only goes to tend at night. She does not want attention from people because of her good deeds. She wants to do it out of the goodness of her heart. More people are beginning to view the A as "able" instead of "adulterer". Hester decides to ask Chillingworth to stop his tormenting the minister. She notes that no matter what he does, the letter can not be removed by his actions so there is no use in trying to get revenge.