Previous
Chapter 17
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in The Scarlet Letter, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Sin
Individuality and Conformity
Puritanism
Nature
The Occult
Summary
Analysis
Dimmesdale decides to flee Boston with Hester. He calls her his "angel" and says he's been renewed. Hester flings away her scarlet letter and feels an enormous swell of relief.
In the forest, free from the pressures of Puritan society, Dimmesdale and Hester escape their sins and are free to love.
Themes
Literary Devices
Quiz
Test Yourself
Dimmesdale and Hester discuss Pearl, whom Hester says she barely understands. Pearl, meanwhile, has been playing alone in the forest, where she fits in well among the wild animals. Hester calls her to come meet Dimmesdale, her father.
Unity with nature shows purity. The implication is that Pearl, and therefore her parents' affair, are not sinful against God. They only sin against Puritanism.
Themes
Quiz
Test Yourself
