The Scarlet Letter Alternate Ending

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The Scarlet Letter Alternate Ending English 11 A.P 2/21/11 As Hester stood, looking upon Dimmesdale resting on the scaffold, she let each unit of his speech capture her away from reality. The whole crowd shared her feelings. A wave of composure had washed over Dimmesdale’s audience as he delivered the most important speech of his life. Never had the people of Boston heard such a speech on that lifeless day of the clergyman’s election. Dimmesdale spoke the sermon he had looked forward to giving his entire career. His long and tiring nighttime of sleeplessness, provided him with the material he shared with his fellow townspeople. As Dimmesdale spoke, Hester increasingly drifted away from her surroundings. She thought of the day, seven years prior, when she was brought into the crowd and led to the scaffold, where now her secret lover stood. She remembered the rose bush outside the prison door; how when she gazed upon it’s beauty, she couldn't help but recall how she felt. No longer was Hester Prynne’s life the same. Hester lived these seven years in shame, with the beauty of the scarlet letter always present to remind her of her unfortunate sin. Half an hour passed as Dimmesdale spoke about the Lord and his power. Near the end of his speech, his behavior shifted suddenly. No longer did he stand tall and proud. His shoulders collapsed into a hunch. The audience became aware of these changes, and many thought that acting sick was a part of his speech. Hester, however, became immediately alert and worried of Dimmesdale’s actions. The townspeople cried out, as the minister suddenly collapsed. Little Pearl grabbed her mother’s garb and pulled tightly saying, “ -“Mother, what happened to Dimmesdale?” -”He fell on the scaffold” -”Why? When just a second age, he stood there with confidence.” -“Shush my dear, we must not interfere with the

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