What Confession Does Hester Make To Dimmesdale While In The Forest In Chapter 17 Of The Scarlet Letter?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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What confession does Hester make to Dimmesdale while in the forest in Chapter 17 of the scarlet letter?

She admits that Chillingworth is her husband.

How does Hester feel about Dimmesdale in Chapter 17?


Hester realizes that she still loves Dimmesdale

, and she courageously tells him this, even as she reveals her silence concerning Chillingworth. Hawthorne contrasts their love — “which had a consecration of its own” — and Chillingworth’s revenge and asks the reader which sin is worse.

What confession does Hester make to Dimmesdale while in the forest in Chapter 17 of The Scarlet Letter Weegy?

Hester tells Dimmesdale

that Chillingworth is her husband

. This news causes a “dark transfiguration” in Dimmesdale, and he begins to condemn Hester, blaming her for his suffering.

What happens when Dimmesdale confesses?

By protecting his reputation, Dimmesdale sentenced himself to suffering far worse than the public punishment he would have shared with Hester. By confessing,

he escapes the prison he built for himself, and the one Chillingworth built for him

. Dimmesdale falls to the floor and asks Pearl for a kiss.

What does Hester say about wanting to meet Dimmesdale in the forest?


It will not flee from me; for I wear nothing on my bosom yet!

” Intent upon telling Dimmesdale the truth about Chillingworth’s identity, Hester waits for the minister in the forest, because she has heard that he will be passing through on the way back from visiting a Native American settlement.

Why do Pearl and Hester walk into forest?

Hester and Pearl go to the forest

because Hester is determined to warn Dimmesdale of the threat Chillingworth poses

. She travels to the forest because she knows Dimmesdale will be returning that way from visiting the Indians (Native Americans). It will provide a private place for them to talk unobserved.

How did Dimmesdale punish himself?

Dimmesdale begins to torture himself physically:

he scourges himself with a whip, he fasts

, and he holds extended vigils, during which he stays awake throughout the night meditating upon his sin. … He decides to hold a vigil on the scaffold where, years before, Hester suffered for her sin.

What happens at the beginning of Chapter 17 the giver?

Returning from the river,

Jonas sees Asher and his friends playing a game of war

. He tries to explain to Asher that the game is a cruel mockery of the terrible realities of war. Asher doesn’t understand him, and angrily responds that he has to play these games because of his job in recreation.

Why does pearl not recognize her mother when she sees her with Dimmesdale in the forest?

Pearl does not recognize her mother

because Hester has removed the scarlet letter and put her hair down

. Having resolved to leave America and start a new life in Europe with Dimmesdale, Hester has finally felt confident enough to rid herself of the public symbol of her shame.

Why does Dimmesdale forgive Hester?

Why does Dimmesdale forgive Hester? Who is the worst sinner? Chillingworth violated the sanctity of a human heart. He forgives Hester

because he has wronged her too

.

How does Hester feel when Dimmesdale dies?

Apparently, those who witnessed the minister’s death cannot agree upon what exactly it was that they saw. Most say they saw on his chest a scarlet letter exactly like Hester’s. To their minds, it resulted from

Chillingworth’s poisonous magic

, from the minister’s self-torture, or from his inner remorse.

Is this not better than we dreamed of in the forest?

What does Hester answer when Dimmesdale says, “Is not this better… than what we dreamed of in the forest?” Hester

answers that no, this is not better, because now they will all die.

What are Dimmesdale’s last words?

Dimmesdale’s very last words are “

Praised be his name! His will be done! Farewell!

” These words are significant because they were spoken after his confession, and then he died.

Why does Pearl say Hester wears the scarlet letter?

But despite repeated questions by Pearl, Hester says she wears the letter for

“the sake of the gold thread”

— the first time she had “been false to the symbol on her bosom.” Pearl is not satisfied and continues to question Hester until Hester threatens to shut Pearl in a dark closet.

Why does Hester meet with Chillingworth?

Hester tells Chillingworth the real reason she is there to talk to him. Seven years ago, when he asked her to keep his secret that

he was her husband

, she agreed. He came to the colony as an educated doctor who was regarded with pride.

What does the forest symbolize in The Scarlet Letter Chapter 16?

A Forest Walk

Sunshine retreating symbolizing

Hester and Dimmesdale’s happiness being eaten up by guilt and sin

. … A triangle of connotation made between Hester, Dimmesdale and ‘The Black Man’ reinforcing the long lasting repercussions of their mutual sin.

Leah Jackson
Author
Leah Jackson
Leah is a relationship coach with over 10 years of experience working with couples and individuals to improve their relationships. She holds a degree in psychology and has trained with leading relationship experts such as John Gottman and Esther Perel. Leah is passionate about helping people build strong, healthy relationships and providing practical advice to overcome common relationship challenges.