The Scarlet Letter Chapter Summaries

Chapter 1 and Chapter 2
In chapter one, Nathaniel Hawthorne sets the stage for the story. He tells that a group of people stand outside of a prison. Chapter two continues on from the prison setting. As these people wait outside the prison gate, Hester Prynne egresses the prison gates with a child in her arms. The young lady has been condemned to sit upon a scaffold in the public marketplace for adultery. The women in the crowd slander Hester for her embroiderment of the stitched "A" in gold and scarlet upon her bosom. Hester, standing upon the scaffold, sees a man in the crowd that she confusingly recognizes. Her husband , whom was believed to be dead, was shipwrecked and taken captive from Indians on his journey from Europe to New England.

Chapter 3 and Chapter 4
Upon recognizing her husband, despite him wearing Indian clothing, he signals to her to not expose his identity. As he stares at her, he turns to a local man and asks for the crime and punishment that Hester has been given. The man explains to Hester's husband, whom goes by the identity of Roger Chillingworth, that Hester was married to a man in Europe and they had decided to come to America. He had told her to go to Boston and that he would later come, but he had to finish paperwork before crossing the Atlantic. She waited and he never arrived. "Roger" asks about the baby and the local man explains that Hester never reveals the father of the child. For punishment, Hester has been sentenced to stand on the scaffold for three hours and wear an embroidered "A" upon her chest for eternity. The story continues on with Hester on the scaffold. She is then asked by Reverend Dimmesdale, a magistrate on the judgement board, to reveal the father of the baby. He states she should no longer hide the sinner's name, but she refuses and he does not pursue the father's name anymore. Another magistrate on the judgment board named Reverend Wilson delivers a sermon on sin. Hester patiently waits for the sermon to end, and then returns to prison. While in the prison, Roger Chillingworth is sent to give medical assistance to Hester and the baby. He claims that he can make Hester more apt to give the father's name. Knowing his true identity, Hester refuses the medicine he gives her at first. She believes he will poison her and the baby for revenge. He assures her that he will not poison her nor the baby and actually blames himself for the incident. He asks for the father's name and she refuses to give the name, so he does not push the issue and simply asks that she keep his identity a secret. She believes that he is, in fact, the devil in disguise based on his evil grin and euphoric expressions at her acceptance to the compromise.

Chapter 5 and Chapter 6
After a few months in prison, Hester is released from jail and free to leave the city of Boston. She refuses to do so and lives in a cabin on the edge of town. She remains in solitude, however, she is able to survive based on her amazing ability at needlework. Her talents, in fact, give clothing to the governor. Not only does her work clothe the governor, but it is also used in all major events in life, except for marriage. Although she is successful at her work, she feels alone and separated from society. She even does charity work part of her time although it is more of a punishment than anything due to constant insults from others. Her only companion is her daughter, Pearl, who is named so because Pearl is purchased with everything in Hester's posession. Pearl makes a lot of mischief, which worries Hester. Pearl is aware of being different from other children and believes she has no Heavenly Father. Because she, too, is isolated from others, Pearl must make imaginary friends. Pearl likes the scarlet letter and even, at times, touches it. Hester feels Pearl may, in fact, be a demon child.

Chapter 7 and Chapter 8
In chapter seven, Hester is going to the governor's hall for two reasons: one reason involves the delivery of gloves for the governor, the other involves the discussion of Hester's custody of Pearl. The townspeople's belief of Pearl being a demon causes them to believe Pearl should be taken away from Hester for Hester's safety. They believe Pearl should be given to better parents. On their way to the hall, Hester and Pearl are attacked by children throwing mud. Pearl becomes angry and scares the children off. The two then enter the mansion of Governor Bellingham. The narrator explains the exquisite style of the mansion. As the two look around, Pearl notices a suit of armor that has Hester's reflection. Hester becomes horrified by her distorted figure and the dominance of the scarlet letter. A group of men enter their presence. In chapter eight, Governor Bellingham, Roger Chillingworth, Reverend Wilson and Reverend Dimmesdale enter the same room as Hester and Pearl. The group jokes with Pearl calling her a bird. Bellingham then asks Hester why Pearl should stay with her. Hester replies that she can teach Pearl a lesson from Hester's sin. Reverend Wilson tests the child's knowledge of religion. Pearl refuses to answer which makes Hester feel trapped. This causes Hester to force Reverend Dimmesdale to help her. He tells Reverend Wilson and Governor Bellingham that Pearl was sent from God and that the child was not only a curse, but also a blessing. This persuades the two men and Pearl runs to Dimmesdale and hugs him. Roger Chillingworth, after Hester's success, attempts to cause for an investigation into the father of the child, but Reverend Wilson and Governor Bellingham feel the information will be revealed when He wants it to be revealed. When leaving the governor's mansion, Mistress Hibbins, the governor's sister, invites Hester to a witch gathering, but Hester declines because she must take care of Pearl.

Chapter 9 and Chapter 10
Upon his arrival to Boston, Roger Chillingworth's past has been hidden from everyone. He is welcomed as the town doctor due to little access of medical care. He is not only trained from European medicine, but he also knows many Native American remedies because of his time spent with them. Reverend Dimmesdale is known to be in bad health and, after refusal to marry, lives with Chillingworth. They live next to a cemetery in a widow's house, giving them the chance to talk about sin and death. Initially, the townspeople were grateful for Chillingworth's presence and thought of him as a miracle to help Dimmesdale. Throughout time, he has become thought by the townspeople to be the Devil coming for Dimmesdale's soul. Chillingworth continuously searches for the reason for Dimmesdale's sickness. He becomes very persistent in finding out about Dimmesdale's life, but Dimmesdale will not confide in him. Chillingworth devotes all of his time to Dimmesdale. One day Dimmesdale asks Chillingworth about an anomalous plant. Chillingworth says he found it growing on an unmarked grave and suggests it is a weed of unconfessed sins. This brings up an awkward conversation about redemption and forgiveness. During this conversation, they hear a scream outside and see Pearl and Hester outside. When the men go to the window, Pearl says they should leave and that the devil has already gotten Dimmesdale and that they must not be captured too. Roger Chillingworth claims that Hester does not hide her sin, but wears it openly. As Chillingworth says this, Dimmesdale carefully keeps from revealing any affection towards Hester or any buried sins. Chillingworth then begins to question Dimmesdale about his spiritual health and seems to believe it is affecting his physical health. Feeling aggitated, Dimmesdale says his health is up to God and leaves the room. This act has increased Chillingworth's suspicions. When Dimmesdale apologizes, they become friends again; however, a few nights later, Chillingworth sneaks up on Dimmesdale as he is sleeping and pushes his shirt up to reveal Dimmesdale's chest. The doctor is ecstatic at his findings.

Chapter 11 and Chapter 12
Chillingworth's revenge on Dimmesdale makes Dimmesdale suffer. Although Dimmesdale is oblivious to Chillingworth committing his revengeful acts, he has an unconscious hatred towards his physician. Dimmesdale's suffering, in turn, causes him to preach even greater about sin. His empathy towards human sinfulness causes him to be adored by many. This adorement does not cause him to be more at ease, but, in fact, causes him to suffer even greater. The suffering he endures causes him to be insomnious, which makes him have visions. These visions are of Hester and Pearl. One of his visions involves Pearl pointing at Hester's scarlet letter and then at Dimmesdale's chest. He feels trapped and feels that nothing will help him, not even the Bible. His sufferings are so great that Dimmesdale feels he must inflict pain upon his sinful being. He begins scourging himself and fasting. He believes he must hold a vigil on the scaffold at which Hester and Pearl stood for Hester's sin. In chapter twelve, Dimmesdale is on the scaffold and screams out. He worries the town will awaken and he will be revealed, but he is fortunate. At one point in the night, Reverend Wilson passes the scaffold, having been at Governor Winthrop's deathbed, when Dimmesdale deliriously believes he yells out to the minister, but Reverend Wilson does not notice Dimmesdale. Later in the night, Hester and Pearl, having also been at the deathbed of Governor Winthrop, pass the scaffold. They, however, notice the minister and he is greeted by a laugh from Pearl. The minister asks them to join him on the scaffold and they join and hold hands. Pearl asks Dimmesdale if he would stand on the scaffold with them the next day at noon; however, he says they will never be seen in broad daylight upon the scaffold. A meteor suddenly appears in the sky and forms the letter "A". At this same moment in time, Pearl points out that Chillingworth is also at the scene. Dimmesdale asks Hester who Chillingworth truly is, but she cannot reveal his true identity due to secrecy. Pearl tantalizes the minister and says she knows Chillingworth's identity, but refuses to give the name because he declined standing on the scaffold with her and her mother. Chillingworth makes Dimmesdale get down from the scaffold, claiming the minister must have been sleepwalking. When Dimmesdale asks the physician how he knew where he was, Chillingworth claims he was also at Governor Winthrop's deathbed. The next day, Reverend Dimmesdale preaches his greatest sermon ever. After the sermon, the church sexton gives Dimmesdale a black glove and states he found it on the scaffold. He does not suspect anything and believes Satan mischieviously placed it there. The sexton also reports that the townspeople state the saw a meteor last night in the form of the letter "A" and claim it means "Angel" for the passing of Governor Winthrop to heaven.

Chapter 13 and Chapter 14
Seven years since the birth of Pearl have passed and Hester has become more active within the community. She nurses the sick, brings food to the doors of the poor, and she is a source of aid in times of trouble. Many people have considered the scarlet letter to stand for "Able" now, although some people still look down upon her. She no longer is a passionate person, but rather a vague being of her former self. She now begins to question if her secret of Chillingworth's identity is worth the suffering of Dimmesdale. In chapter fourteen, she attempts to stop Chillingworth's revenge upon Dimmesdale. One day, they meet as he is gathering herbs on the beach. Scarcastically speaking, he states that he hears she has been a "good girl" and may even be able to remove the scarlet letter. When Hester states she wants Chillingworth to stop his revengeful acts, he clearly knows Dimmesdale was the lover of Hester and that she knows he is torturing Dimmesdale. This information causes him to have an evil look about him, which he soon realizes and attempts to change the subject when it is clear that he has become a fiend. He tries to blame Hester on his transformation, and she tries to say for him to "change back". They start an arguement and he tells her that fate has led them to this.

Chapter 15
As Chillingworth leaves, Hester starts to search for Pearl who has been playing in the tide pools down by the beach. As she is searching, she realizes that she hates her husband and that is she ever felt love, it was only a delusion. When Hester finds Pearl, Pearl has an "A" on her shirt made from eelgrass. Pearl hopes Hester will ask her about the letter and Hester does. Hester asks if she understands the meaning of the scarlet letter. They discuss the meaning of the scarlet letter and Pearl connects the letter to Dimmesdale clutching his chest at times. Hester realizes that Pearl is too young to discuss the true meaning of the letter and decides to not explain the letter. Pearl is persistent is asking about the letter and asks Hester about the letter for the next several days.

The Short, Happy Life of Francis Macomber Summary

"The Short, Happy Life of Francis Macomber" is written by Ernest Hemingway. The story begins with Francis Macomber, his wife, Margaret, and Robert Wilson sitting at their camp preparing lunch in the African jungle. The Macomber family is of a wealthy background and Francis decides to go on a safari and bring along his wife. Robert Wilson is the paid expert hunter on the safari. As they sit at camp, they are talking about a previous hunt that morning. The topic seems rather awkward among the three because Francis runs away during a lion hunt. This makes Francis feel embarrassed, Margaret feels ashamed, and Wilson, who tries to give reassurance to Francis, feels little respect towards Francis. While they talk about this hunt, Margaret makes numerous sarcastic remarks toward Francis. Later the same afternoon, Francis and Wilson go on another hunt, and Francis tries to redeem himself by impressively shooting impalas. His attempt does not return his self-esteem, however. That same night Francis lies in bed recollecting that same morning. The story flashes back to the incident. In the flashback, it tells how Francis was bothered the night before by the lions roaring noise. When they wake the next morning, he tells about the lion and Wilson recommends hunting the lion. The three set out for the lion in a car. When they find the lion, the hunters get out of the vehicle and Francis shoots the lion twice. The lion runs away and Francis and Wilson run after the beast. When they find the lion, the lion charges the two and Francis cowardly runs away while Wilson kills the lion. When they return to the vehicle, Francis realizes Margaret sees the whole incident. She kisses Wilson and Francis feels like his wife has no respect for him. This kiss shows trouble in the marriage, but it has not been the first sign before. Francis finally falls asleep, but reawakens after a nightmare involving the lion. He looks around and realizes his wife is not in her cot. After a few hours, she returns to her cot where it is apparent she has been with Wilson. The next morning Wilson realizes Francis knows of the affair, however, Wilson has no regret. After breakfast, the three go out to hunt buffalo. Francis Macomber's anger makes him become excited for the hunt. He kills the largest of the three buffalo and kills another that was wounded by Wilson. This brings confidence to Francis who becomes a new man. His wife, however, attempts to hurt his confidence by stating that they illegally killed the buffalo by using a motor car, but this has no effect on Francis. This creates a new respect from Wilson towards Francis. Francis Macomber's clearly in control of his relationship at this point in the story and Margaret is clearly scared about her husband's change. Like the case of the lion, the third buffalo runs off and is wounded. Wilson tells Francis the best shot for the buffalo. When the animal charges the two, this time, Francis is ready and starts shooting at the buffalo. The buffalo is nearly on top of him when he is shot by his wife in the head killing him instantly. Apparently, it seems as though she is shooting at the buffalo, however, Wilson believes it was intentional. The story ends with Margaret crying and Wilson informing her that he believes it was murder, but she will get by with it.

Hills Like White Elephants Summary

At the beginning of the story, an American and his girlfriend are in Spain at a train station waiting for their train to come. As they wait in the heat, they order beer. While they drink their beer, the girl comments about the hills being white elephants but the man discounts her statement. After awhile it is apparent that the girl is pregnant and the man is trying to make her have an abortion. She is scared and wants reassurance that he will still love her and everything will be normal again if she has the abortion. As she asks for this, it becomes clear that she wants to give birth to the child and that nothing will ever be the same again. While the man tells the girl that she does not have to have the abortion if she does not want it, it is clear he does not want this. As they sit there the girl looks out into the hills and seems to be thinking about her life. She says they could have everything and the man agrees, but for her it includes the baby. The girl finally becomes frustrated and asks the man to be quiet while they wait. He ignores her and continues on with his thoughts until she begs him to stop talking. At this point he tries once more, but she threatens to scream, so he takes their baggage and takes it to the other side of the station and has a quick drink. When he returns, he asks if she is better and she says she is fine.

A Day's Wait Summary

"A Day's Wait" is a story by Ernest Hemingway where an American boy named Schatz is living in France gets a fever. The boy acts as though nothing is wrong, however, the narrator who is also the father calls a doctor to diagnose Schatz. When the doctor goes to the boy's house, he takes his temperature and finds out Schatz has a fever of one hundred and two. The rest of the entire day the boy stays in his room, not moving from his same spot. The narrator, after going out for a little while, returns home to find Schatz in the same spot he left him. The boy asks his father when he will die, and the father is shocked and asks Schatz why he believes he is dying. Schatz says he heard at school in France that a person can not live with a fever of more than forty-four and he has been waiting to die the whole day. The narrator is relieved and explains to the boy the difference between Celsius and Fahrenheit.

A Clean, Well-Lighted Place Summary

"A Clean, Well-Lighted Place" is a novel by Ernest Hemingway. The story is about an old, deaf man and two waiters at a cafe. The story begins with the two waiters speaking about the deaf man. The older waiter of the two tells the younger that the old man attempts suicide, but his niece saves him. As the story continues, a young couple goes by the cafe - a soldier and girl. When this couple goes by the cafe, the waiters make a comment about the young soldiers curfew. Afterwards, the younger waiter goes over to the old man who is asking for a drink. The young waiter wants to go home, so he acts as though he does not understand. Realizing what the waiter is doing, the old man acts out and spills his drink on purpose. After numerous conversations, the younger waiter makes the old man leave. As the cafe is all cleaned up, the young waiter goes home, but the older waiter thinks he understands the old man's desire for staying at a cafe. Due to this, the old man goes to a bar because all cafes are closed. After going to a bar, he looks around and realizes that he enjoys cafes better. After his first drink he goes home to his insomnia and, with daylight, goes to sleep.

The Short, Happy Life of Francis Macomber

"You've gotten awfully brave, awfully suddenly," his wife said contemptuously, but her contempt was not secure. She was very afraid of something. Macomber laughed, a very natural hearty laugh. "You know I have ," he said. "I really have." "Isn't it sort of late?" Margot said bitterly. Because she had done the best she could for many years back and the way they were together now was no one person's fault. "Not for me," said Macomber.
-conversation between Francis and Margaret

"That was a pretty thing to do," he said in a toneless voice. "He would have left you too."
-Robert Wilson speaking to Margaret about shooting Francis

"We'll leave the Mannlicher in the car with the Memsahib."
-Wilson talking to Francis before going to get the buffalo in the forest

"If you make a scene I'll leave you, darling," Margot said quietly.
"No, you won't."
"You can try it and see."
"You won't leave me."
"No," she said. "I won't leave you and you'll behave your self."
-conversation between Francis and Margaret

So, Robert Wilson thought to himself, she is giving him a
ride, isn't she? Or do you suppose that's her idea of
putting up a good show? How should a woman act when she
discovers her husband is a bloody coward? She's damned
cruel but they're all cruel. They govern, of course, and to
govern one has to be cruel sometimes. Still, I've seen
enough of their damn terrorism.
-narrator speaking about Robert Wilson's thoughts

Hills Like White Elephants Quotes

"It's really an awfully simple operaion, Jid," the man said. "It's not really an operation at all."
-man talking to the girl at the bar

"We can have everything."
"No, we can't."
"We can have the whole world."
"No, we can't."
"We can go everywhere."
"No, we can't. It isn't ours any more."
"It's ours."
"No, we can't. And once they take it away, you never get it back."
-conversation between the man and woman

"They look like white elephants," she said.
"I've never seen one," the man drank his beer. "No, you wouldn't have."
-conversation between the man and woman

A Day's Wait Quotes

"People don't die with a fever of one hundred and two. That's a silly way to talk."
"I know they do. At school in France, the boys told me you can't live with forty-four degrees. I've got a hundred and two."
-conversation between Schatz and the narrator

After a while he said to me, " You don't have to stay in here with me, Papa, if it bothers you."
"It doesn't bother me."
"No, I mean you don't have to stay if it's going to bother you."
-conversation between Schatz and the narrator

"Take this with water."
"Do you think it will do any good?"
"Of course it will."
-conversation between Schatz and the narrator

A Clean, Well-Lighted Place Quotes

"I am one of those who like to stay late at the café," the older waiter said. "With all those who do not want to go to bed. With all those who need a light for the night."
- old waiter

He disliked bars and bodegas. A clean, well-lighted café was a very different thing. Now, without thinking further, he would go home to his room. He would lie in the bed and finally, with daylight, he would go to sleep.
- narrator taliking about the old waiter

"He was in despair."
"What about?"
"Nothing."
"How do you know it was nothing?"
"He has plenty of money."
- conversation between the waters at the café