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Chapter 20
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
It's inauguration day for the new governor. Hester and Pearl await the procession of government officials, and stand near a bunch of Indians ("painted barbarians") and some crew members ("desperadoes") from the vessel that Hester will board with Dimmesdale.
The derogatory descriptions of the Indians and crew members make clear the intolerance of the Puritans toward outsiders.
Themes
Literary Devices
Quiz
Test Yourself
The narrator remarks that the Puritan style of celebration lacks the grandness and gaiety that events like this had in England.
Chillingworth walks over to and converses with the commander of the vessel bound for England. The commander leaves his side and walks by Hester. He recognizes her and says that Chillingworth will also be aboard the ship. Hester looks across the crowd and sees Chillingworth smile menacingly at her.
Chillingworth has been devoured by hate and the need for revenge. He is no longer human. His secrets and lies in the service of righteous revenge have made him worse than any "witch."
Themes
Quiz
Test Yourself
