The Scarlet Letter: The Scaffold's Power

Part I of Essay
Recurring events show great significance and elucidate the truth beneath appearances. In The Scarlet Letter Nathaniel Hawthorne chooses the scaffold scenes to show powerful differences and similarities. Each scaffold scene foreshadows the next and brings greater underst ....

Part II of Essay
.... need to confess. This scene sets the stage for the next two scenes. A few years later the event is again repeated. It is very similar to the other and helps us understand the torment of Dimmesdale. As before the tortured Reverend Dimmesdale goes first on to the platform. He seeks a confession of his sins a second time by calling out into the night. He then sees Hester and Pearl coming down the street from the governor's house. As before, they are asked to go up on the scaffold and be with the minister. At this time Pearl q ....