The Scarlet Letter: Plot Summary

Chapter 1: Hawthorne sets the stage, introducing Boston in the 17th century and the Puritan ambition to create a utopia.
Chapter 2: Hester Prynne is introduced, emerging from the prison with her illegitimate baby Pearl and the scarlet A on her chest.
Chapter 3: Hester’s husband, now known as Roger Chillingworth, emerges from the crowd, and Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale refuses to reveal he is Pearl’s father.
Chapter 4: Chillingworth, posing as a physician, speaks with Hester and they vow to keep each other’s secrets.
Chapter 5: Hester rejects the idea of leaving Boston, choosing instead to lead a life of repentance and charity.
Chapter 6: Pearl’s character is developed as a symbol of Hester’s sin, being mischievous, impulsive, and unruly.
Chapter 7: Hester visits the governor’s mansion to discuss whether or not she should retain custody of Pearl.
Chapter 8: Hester defends her right to raise Pearl and Dimmesdale supports her, while Chillingworth begins to suspect Dimmesdale is the child’s father.
Chapter 9: Chillingworth insinuates himself into Dimmesdale’s life, under the pretence of helping him with his health issues.
Chapter 10: Chillingworth deepens his investigation of Dimmesdale’s guilt, leading to a confrontation between them.
Chapter 11: Dimmesdale’s guilt begins to manifest itself physically, as he experiences anguish and self-punishment.
Chapter 12: Dimmesdale, tormented by guilt, ascends the scaffold at night, joined unknowingly by Hester and Pearl.
Chapter 13: Hester’s reputation in the community evolves from a sinner to a woman of kindness and helpfulness.
Chapter 14: Chillingworth, realising that his revenge on Dimmesdale is causing his own moral degradation, confronts Hester about revealing his identity.
Chapter 15: Hester decides to confront Dimmesdale about Chillingworth’s real identity.
Chapter 16: Hester and Pearl journey into the forest to await Dimmesdale, where Pearl learns more about her mother’s scarlet letter and her own origins.
Chapter 17: Hester reveals Chillingworth’s real identity to Dimmesdale, and they plan to escape together to Europe.
Chapter 18: Hester and Dimmesdale envision a life together, and for the first time in years, Hester removes the scarlet letter.
Chapter 19: Pearl returns to find her mother without the scarlet letter, and insists that Hester put it back on.
Chapter 20: Dimmesdale feels a rush of energy after deciding to escape with Hester, exhibiting uncharacteristic behaviour that causes concern among his congregation.
Chapter 21: A holiday is announced in the town, and Hester and Pearl join in the public celebrations.
Chapter 22: During the procession, Dimmesdale invites Hester and Pearl to ascend the scaffold with him, signalling his decision to finally confess.
Chapter 23: Dimmesdale confesses his sin to the town, reveals the ‘A’ branded on his chest, and dies in Hester’s arms.
Chapter 24: Chillingworth dies a year later, leaving wealth to Pearl who then disappears with Hester; after many years, Hester returns alone to Boston, resumes wearing the ‘A’, and dies, to be buried next to Dimmesdale.