constantly asks Dimmesdale if he will be joining Hesterand herself on the scaffold tomorrow at noon and accuses him of not being true(162). Neither Hester nor Dimmesdale ever told Pearl who her father was, but she figures it outby the way he always holds his hand over his heart. Chillingworths derangement isevident in this scene as well. His contempt for Dimmesdale is so acute that he risks hiscover when he gives him a look so vivid as to remain painted on the darkness of night. The third scaffold scene is the climax of the book, it is the last glimpse into the minds ofthe main characters and it is also the last time that all of them are alive. At this point intime, Dimmesdales fixation on his sin has utterly corroded him to the point of death. After he gives his election day sermon, he goes to the scaffold and asks Hester and Pearlto join him because he is so weak that he can hardly support himself (265). He finallyexposes the truth and tells the townspeople of how he deceived them all these years. Theonly good that comes out of conceding his guilt is that he passed away with a clearconscience. Hester Prynnes characterization is shown in this scene as well because forthe first time she is not in control of her emotions. Her dream of escaping to Englandwith Dimmesdale is lost when he decides to confess his sin. Pearls greatesttransformation occurs here when for the first time she shows normal human emotion. After Dimmesdale confesses, she kisses his lips and starts crying, The great scene ofgrief...had developed all her sympathies; and as her tears fell upon her fathers cheek,they were the pledge that she would grow up amid human joy and sorrow, nor forever dobattle with the world, but be a woman in it (268). Ultimately, Chillingworth takes a turnfor the worse when Dimmesdale confesses. Because Chillingworth had based his entirelife on getting revenge on Dimmesdale, his life was rendered meaningless. On thataccount, Hawthor...
