Chapter 16 - A Forest Walk

Summary:

During this chapter, Hester has decided to make it known to Dimmesdale the true identity of Roger Chillingworth. She has heard that he takes a walk in the woods around a certain time and has decided to try and meet him on his walk. Hester and Pearl venture into the woods and Pearl asks her mother about the letter A and plays in the sun. Pearl also asks her mother if she has ever met the Black Man and if the letter A is his mark he left on her. Hester ignores answering Pearl's question until eventually Pearl brings it up again and Hester decides to tell her that she has met the Black Man. When the reverend approaches Pearl asks if he is the Black Man and she tells the Pearl that it is the reverend and to go play. Pearl runs off to play but before leaving she wonders out loud if the reverend has met the Black Man too because he holds his hand over his heart where the letter A should be on him.

The Sunlight:

In this chapter, while walking in the woods bits of sunlight show through the trees. As Pearl runs around, she is able to catch up to the sunlight and touch it. But, as soon as Hester tries, the sunlight runs away. Pearl notices this and says, "'Mother,' said little Pearl, 'the sunshine does not love you. It runs away and hides itself, because it is afraid of something on your bosom... I am but a child. It will not flee from me, for I wear nothing on my bosom yet!'"(Hawthorne 141). If sunlight is interpreted as truth and happiness, it makes sense that it would run from Hester. Pearl is the embodiment of truth and happiness because she is a child. Unlike Pearl, Hester is neither being truthful about everything nor truly happy with her life at the moment. Hester is also not at peace, so she can not catch the sunlight.

The Black Man

Also during this chapter, the Black Man is brought up by Pearl. Pearl overhears Mistress Hibbins talking about the Black Man and how thousands of people meet him in the woods at night and get the same mark that Hester has. After pestering Hester about it she asks that if she tells her she will leave her alone and Pearl agrees. Hester says "'Once in my life I met the Black Man!' said her mother. 'This is scarlet letter is his mark!" (Hawthorne 142). Hester confirms that she has met the Black Man, but it is not exactly clear to the read who she calls the Black Man, whether it be Dimmesdale or Roger Chillingworth. Pearl sees Dimmesdale in the distance and she asks if it is the Black Man, Hester says no that it is the minister. In both men, one could say that they both are the Black Man. They both are sinful and have lured Hester into making decisions with them that are not of Puritan value. By keeping a secret and lying to society, she has a sinful deal with Roger Chillingworth. By committing adultery, she also has a sinful deal with Dimmesdale. Both men could be considered the Black Man. It is also important to note that sin breeds more sin. 

Gossamer Thread

"Clint Eastwood" by the Gorillaz can be related to chapter sixteen. The chorus talks about having sunshine and the future coming on, which can be related to Pearl and her happiness and being able to move forward without any problems. The second verse of the song talks about lies and corruption which relates back to Chillingworth and Dimmesdale with their lies and secrets that they have to keep.