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Camp as a tool of survival became increasingly necessary in the AIDS era. What's great about glitter is that it's light and dark. You see the flicker of the light and dark simultaneously. What camp really let me do was be present with what was scary but also be present with incisive delight.
Brian Herrera, The World Only Spins Forward: The Ascent of Angels in America
Camp as a tool of survival became increasingly necessary in the AIDS era. What's great about glitter is that it's light and dark. You see the flicker of the light and dark simultaneously. What camp really let me do was be present with what was scary but also be present with incisive delight.
Brian Herrera, in Isaac Butler and Dan Kois, The World Only Spins Forward: The Ascent of Angels in America
An Overview of Chapter 19 of The Scarlet Letter
Symbolism and Figurative Language
The first noticeable piece of figurative language is the one pertaining to the guilt of Reverend Dimmesdale, “that the awful symbol was the effect of the ever active tooth of remorse, gnawing from the inmost heart outwardly, and at last manifesting Heaven’s dreadful judgment by the visible presence of the letter.” This quote shows how Dimmesdale’s guilt had been so galling and how it was responsible for the decay of his life force, like the “gnawing” is the punishment that Dimmesdale had inflicted upon himself as an attempt to purify his soul. The guilt and sin eventually materialized into a Scarlet Letter which symbolized Dimmesdale’s share of the sin that was committed.
Hawthorne also talks about Roger Chillingworth as an evil person who caused discomfort for Dimmesdale, “being a potent necromancer, had caused it to appear, through the agency of magic and poisonous drugs.” Chillingworth was a character who sucked the life out of Dimmesdale by manipulating his actions and thoughts. The term “necromancer” means a person who utilizes black magic, which connects to how Chillingworth used his counseling skills and knowledge of medicine to attack Dimmesdale and do the Devil’s bidding. After Dimmesdale had passed, Hawthorne used figurative language to show that Chillingworth had performed his literary function as the Devil’s argument. “shrivelled away, and almost vanished from mortal sight, like an uprooted weed that lies wilting in the sun….when, in short, there was no more devil’s work on earth for him to do,” the quote explains that Chillingworth rightfully died because he had succeeded in revealing Dimmesdale’s secret, which was his only purpose in the book and meant he had nothing else to live for.
The last significant piece of symbolism and figurative language was the two tombstones at the end of the book, “a new grave was delved near an old and sunken one,…yet with a space between, as if the dust of the two sleepers had no right to mingle.” The implication here is that Hester and Dimmesdale have been buried together even though it was not directly suggested. The symbolism of the togetherness of the tombstones is that Hester and Dimmesdale are in the same place in the afterlife. What also says it’s Hester and Dimmesdale is the part about the dust not being able to “mingle” just like they were not able to be together in real life.
Chapter 24 Summary
Dimmesdale has passed away and some people even witnessed a Scarlet Letter “imprinted” in his flesh when he died. The townspeople believed the Scarlet Letter that emerged from his body was a result of the guilt that gnawed at him and caused him to torture himself. Other spectators did not believe that the Scarlet Letter appeared on the reverend. Dimmesdale wanted to teach everyone in his town that all humans are sinners with his death, even a reverend of his status could be tainted with adultery.
After Dimmesdale’s death, Roger Chillingworth continued to lose his humanity until he eventually died. He had no purpose in life since Dimmesdale’s secret was exposed, so he just “shrivelled away.” Roger Chillingworth did leave a good amount of land in England and New England to Pearl when he died. This generous donation made Pearl the “richest heiress of her day, in the New World.” Pearl and and Hester Prynne then both go to England for a while until Hester Prynne comes back to New England.
Hester comes back because she believes she has to live out her punishment to the end and be true to herself. She came back to the Boston colony to counsel women on how to stay faithful so that they wouldn’t repeat her sin. Hester eventually dies in Boston and is buried next to Dimmesdale.
As for Pearl, no one knew what exactly happened to her but an investigation by Mr. Surveyor Pue suggested she was married, had children, and took care of Hester while they were together.
Chapter 19 Summary
Reverend Dimmesdale and Hester Prynne are at a brook with their daughter Pearl. Hester had previously removed the scarlet letter from her chest, which was difficult for Pearl to deal with.
Hester and Dimmesdale are conversing while Pearl is wandering across the brook decorating herself with flowers. Then Hester calls Pearl over to her and Dimmesdale so he could show affection towards her. Pearl is hesitant to cross to the other side and keeps pointing to where the Scarlet Letter should be on Hester's bosom. Hester does not realize that Pearl is pointing where the letter should be. Hester continues to beckon her. Pearl finally comes to Hester after she put the Scarlet Letter back on and she kissed Hester on her brow, both cheeks, and on the Scarlet Letter. Hester tells Pearl that Dimmesdale will love her and that she'd get twice as much of love. So Pearl goes to Dimmesdale and he shows affection by giving her a kiss on her brow. Pearl then asks Dimmesdale if he would stand with them on the scaffold, but he is stll not willing to do so. After seeing that Dimmesdale is still not committed to Hester and herself, Pearl goes over to the brook to wash off the kiss that Dimmesdale gave her on the brow.
