Timeline: The Scarlet Letter Timeline of Events by John Stone

Jun 1, 1640

Hester Prynne Arrives in Boston

The novel is set in the 1600's. Hester Prynne arrives in the America's before her husband to set up their lives. The husband never shows up and is presumed dead.

Jun 1, 1642

Hester Prynne and the Scaffold

Hester Prynne walks onto the scaffold with her three month old baby to face the consequences of her sin.

Jun 1, 1642

Hester Sees Her Husband Who Was Presumed Dead

Hester, while on the scaffold, looks out into the crowd to see her husband who she thought was dead.

Jun 1, 1642

Hester Recieves Her "A" representing an Adulterer in Society

The letter "A" has a lot of symbolism within the novel. Try to think of what the "A" could represent.

Jun 1, 1649

Hester Is Released from Prison

Seven years have passed. Hester's daughter Pearl is now seven years old. Hester begins to sow to make money and to provide of Pearl and herself. The community begins to realize how wonderful Hester truly is, and that the "A" does not define her.

Oct 1, 1649

Dimmesdale Cannot Live With Himself

Reverend Dimmesdale is guilty of letting Hester take the punishment for the sin they both committed. He is letting the guilt eat away at his life.

Dec 1, 1649

Chillingsworth Plots Against Dimmesdale

Chillingsworth knows the Dimmesdale is the father of Pearl. Chillingsworth plots against him to cause Dimmesdale's demise.

Dec 7, 1649

Dimmesdale and Hester Meet in the Forest

Hester and Pearl meet Dimmesdale in the forest. Dimmesdale acknowledges Pearl as his daughter and makes plans to leave together as a family.

Dec 15, 1649

Chillingsworth Sees Dimmesdale's A engraved on his chest.

Dimmesdale because of his guilt has been marking himself on his chest with the letter "A" to pay for the sin he has committed for not standing with Hester for their child and family.

Dec 27, 1649

Hester and Pearl Join Dimmesdale on the Scaffold. The Meteor.

Hester and Pearl join Dimmesdale on the scaffold to stand together as a family. A meteor appears in the sky. This confirms to Dimmesdale of his need to confess his sin. While the community sees it as a message from God describing the Governor of the town as an angel. Though this could also be implied that Dimmesdale is being forgiven of his sins. There are a lot of symbols here.