Intimate, Reflective, Somber, And Desperate

Hester Prynne and Arthur Dimmesdale meet in the forest where they discuss their shared guilt, reveal secrets, and contemplate a new life away from their current torment.

In a secluded forest, Hester Prynne addresses Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale, who is taken aback by her presence. They express mutual surprise at seeing each other alive given their individual sufferings. Their discourse reveals the weight of their sins and the toll their secrets have taken on their souls. Hester notes the ineffectiveness of Dimmesdale's public penance, and she reveals the true identity of Roger Chillingworth, confessing that he is her estranged husband. This newfound knowledge deeply distresses Dimmesdale, who feels his inner turmoil intensifying under the awareness of Chillingworth's vengeful proximity. The two discuss the possibility of Dimmesdale escaping his torturous life in Boston, considering places far away where they could start anew. Despite his momentary desperation, Dimmesdale feels too weak to make such a change, but Hester encourages him, promising that he would not be alone in whatever decision he makes.