In Chapter VIII of The Scarlet
Letter, Hester is summoned before the secular and spiritual leaders of the
community. At the Governor's Hall, she is to be questioned about her fitness to raise
her daughter, Pearl. In this dramatic chapter, Hawthorne brings together the four
main characters of the novel--Hester, Pearl, Reverend Dimmesdale, and Roger
Chillingworth--and other characters, who represent the State, the Church, and the world
of darkness. Here, too, in this chapter, the author illuminates a theme that he
develops throughout the narrative: It is better to sin honestly than to hide sin in
order to appear virtuous.
When Hester and Pearl arrive at
the Governor's Hall, both Governor Bellingham and "good old Mr. Wilson," the secular and
spiritual leaders of the Puritan comunity, delight in Pearl's dazzling appearance that
is in sharp contrast to the "sad-coloured garments" of those Puritans gathered outside
the prison door in Chapter I. The governor, whose home is resplendent with stained
glass windows, a suit of armor, and other luxurious touches, declares that the girl
reminds him of his courtly days of masquerades and such in England under King James,
while the Reverend Mr. Wilson declares her a "little bird of scarlet
plummage."
With sanctimonious hypocrisy, however, the Mr.
Wilson poses questions to ascertain Pearl's spiritual education. When Pearl impetuously
refuses to answer the catechism questions correctly, the authorities argue that she
should not be raised by Hester. Demurring, Hester
argues,
"this
badge hath taught me...lessons whereof my child may be the wiser and better, albeit they
can profit nothing myself.....She is my happiness!--she is my torture, none the less!
Pearl keeps me here in life! Pearl punishes me, too!...she is the scarlet letter...and
so endowed with a millionfold the power of retribution for my sin? Ye shall not take
her! I will die
first!"
Perceiving that the
admission of her sin by keeping the visible form of it, Pearl, will effect her spiritual
healing and retribution, Hester later turns away from the devilish temptation offered
her by Mistress Higgins, who invites her to a black mass, because of her duty to Pearl.
And prior to this incident, Hester becomes aware of the destructiveness of spiritual
hypocrisy as she appeals to the trembling Reverend Dimmesdale to speak on her behalf.
As he comes forward to speak, Hester remarks how pale he is, holding his hand over his
heart, with eyes "troubled and melancholy [in] depth." Already the signs of his secret
sin become apparent to Hester while Hester's admission of sin have "saved her from
Satan's snare." Hawthorne's theme, stated in the
conclusion:
Be true! Be true! Be true! Show freely to the
world, if not your worst, yet some trait whereby the worst may be
inferred!
is, indeed, brought
to light in Chapter VIII in which major characters convene.
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