What Happens:
* Dimmesdale's Confession: Reverend Dimmesdale, finally overwhelmed by guilt and the strain of his secret, publicly confesses to his sin of adultery with Hester Prynne. He dies in the arms of Hester, holding Pearl, their daughter.
* Hester's Fate: Hester remains in Boston, her scarlet letter becoming a symbol of her repentance and the community's forgiveness. She continues to work with the poor and sick, her life devoted to helping others.
* Pearl's Future: Pearl's fate is left unclear. While some speculate she leaves Boston with her mother, others believe she chooses to stay. It's suggested she carries the legacy of her parents and the scarlet letter, but what that means for her life remains open to interpretation.
* Chillingworth's End: Chillingworth, having achieved his revenge by tormenting Dimmesdale, dies shortly after the minister's confession.
* The Scarlet Letter's Legacy: The scarlet letter, initially a symbol of shame, becomes a symbol of Hester's resilience and repentance. It remains in the community as a reminder of the past, but also a potential source of hope and forgiveness.
Themes and Symbolism:
* The Nature of Sin: The book explores the burden of sin, its impact on individuals, and the difficulty of seeking forgiveness.
* Social Hypocrisy: The Puritan society's hypocrisy is exposed through the rigid rules and double standards imposed on Hester.
* The Power of Love and Forgiveness: The enduring love between Hester and Dimmesdale, despite their sin, and the possibility of redemption, offer hope even amidst the darkness.
Ambiguity and Interpretation:
The ending is intentionally ambiguous to encourage reflection and discussion. There is no clear-cut resolution to the characters' struggles. The reader is left to ponder the meaning of their actions and the lasting impact of the scarlet letter.
In Summary: The Scarlet Letter ends with a powerful scene of public confession and death, leaving the reader with a sense of both closure and unanswered questions. The book invites us to consider the complexities of sin, forgiveness, and the enduring power of love in a world of social hypocrisy.