egoose

Dear Journal,

I decided to ask Chillingworth to quit being so evil towards Dimmesdale. Chillingworth informed me that the town fathers had been considering removing my scarlet letter "A." However, I made it clear to him that this is not possible. A human could not remove this letter from me. It will fall from me when the time is right. I have told Chillingworth he needs to reveal his identity. I have come to the conclusion that Chillingworth now knows my secret.

            Chillingworth has dug himself into a hole so deep that he has become unreachable, and generally evil. I realize it has been because of me that he has entered this state. I need to admit that the thought of his transformation and it being my fault gives me no guilt. While it is sin, I hate him and have not a care in the world. I found Pearl playing in the tide pools. She had put eelgrass on her chest in the shape of an "A." I noticed this, and we talked a bit about the letter. Pearl, intelligent girl that she has grown to be, has connected the letter to Dimmesdale's habit of putting his hand over his heart. However - I did not go into details. She is wise far beyond her years. Another example of this fact was when we went into the woods to meet Dimmesdale. Pearl asked me about the Black Man. As much as she has urged me about the Black Man, I have tried to shelter her. When she saw Dimmesdale approaching, she asked me whether he was the Black Man, or if there was some sort of connection between his "heart-grabbing," and the Black Man having left a mark there.

            Once Pearl had run off into the woods to play, Dimmesdale and I were alone at last among the forest. We held hands, and I told him that Roger is my husband. At first, he was infuriated. I was able to hush his harsh words, and he forgave me. However, we both fear the possibility that Chillingworth will spread our secret in society.

            One last note before I settle for the night: We have a plan. This plan is to run away to Europe and live happily with Pearl. Now that the secrets are out, I have faced my full punishment, and grown as a person - I feel that it is now acceptable for me to move.

VOCAB:

1. Duskily p 110: dark
2. Usurping p 112: to take over
3. Sedulous p 114: close attention
4. Deleterious p 114: harmful
5. Dexterity p 115 : skill of some sort