The Scarlet Letter
Chapter 4: “The Interview”
by Nathaniel Hawthorne
Hester and her husband come face to face for the first time when he is called to her prison cell to provide medical assistance.
Hester and her husband come face to face for the first time when he is called to her prison cell to provide medical assistance.
Still in pleasant surroundings, Black Beauty learns a few things about his lineage, and meets some of the other horses in the stables.
Mariam describes the various personalities staying at Blackwater, including a description of the changes she sees in Laura. Mr. Merriman arrives.
Woot, the Tin Man, and the Scarecrow try to convince the giantess not to transform them. It does not work and she transforms them into a tin owl, a stuffed bear, and a green monkey. They are left alone to contemplate their predicament.
The author’s love of his country. He makes a proposal of much advantage to the king, which is rejected. The king’s great ignorance in politics. The learning of that country very imperfect and confined. The laws, and military affairs, and parties in the state.
The Ghost continues hunting seals as the weather and seas grow increasingly rough. Hump's admiration and affection for Maud continues to grow, even as he becomes increasingly aware of Captain Larsen's growing lust towards the young woman.
The Professor appears from nowhere.
Young Carol has grown older, but her health has been in decline.
At a small ceremony, Meg marries Mr. Brooke.
Sara begins a story about the tropical forest, in response to the cold weather.
The Time Traveller gives a lecture on the fourth dimension, while showing the group his an amazing new invention.
Donatello confesses to Miriam that he loves her.
The next morning, Jane is shocked to learn that the near tragedy of the night before has caused no scandal. The servants believe Rochester to have fallen asleep with a lit candle by his bed, and even Grace Poole shows no sign of guilt or remorse. Jane cannot imagine why an attempted murderer is allowed to continue working at Thornfield. She realizes that she is beginning to have feelings for Rochester and is disappointed that he will be away from Thornfield for several days. He has left to attend a party where he will be in the company of Blanche Ingram, a beautiful lady. Jane scolds herself for being disappointed by the news, and she resolves to restrain her flights of imaginative fancy by comparing her own portrait to one she has drawn of Blanche Ingram, noting how much plainer she is than the beautiful Blanche.
Separated from his family, the narrator sets sail on a cargo ship from Indonesia.
Upon arriving in New York, Newland is surprised to meet an acquaintance from London.
Lottie is confused by Sara's change in status.
Sandy speakes of Sir Gawain. The Yankee is bored and critcizes her storytelling.
Agnes Grey tries to convince herself to abandon thoughts of hope regarding Mr. Weston. A letter arrives from Rosalie.
The narrator describes his unorthodox travels to an old cotton plantation estate.
Pip, in extreme debt, falls ill. Joe comes to Pip's aid bring news of home. Pip decides to return home.
Mr. Jackson has dinner at the Archer Family home. During dinner, Newland defends the Countess' recent behavior.
Dr. Dolittle's maritime travels come to an abrupt end. As the doctor and his passengers prepare to go ashore, a stowaway is discovered aboard ship. Dr. Dolittle introduces himself to the natives before embarking on the next leg of his journey.
Jane and Rochester marry with no witnesses other than the parson and the church clerk. Jane writes to her cousins with the news. St. John never acknowledges what has happened, but Mary and Diana write back with their good wishes. Jane visits Adèle at her school, and finds her unhappy. Remembering her own childhood experience, Jane moves Adèle to a more congenial school, and Adèle grows up to be a very pleasant and mild-mannered young woman. Jane writes that she is narrating her story after ten years of marriage to Rochester, which she describes as inexpressibly blissful. They live as equals, and she helps him to cope with his blindness. After two years, Rochester begins to regain his vision in one eye, and when their first child—a boy—is born, Rochester is able to see the baby. Jane writes that Diana and Mary have both found husbands and that St. John went to India as he had planned. She notes that in his last letter, St. John claimed to have had a premonition of his own approaching death. She does not believe that she will hear from St. John again, but she does not grieve for him, saying that he has fulfilled his promise and done God’s work. She closes her book with a quote from his letter.
The characteristics of the vampire are defined. The group makes a plan of action. Renfield shows that he has the ability to act in a sane and logical manner.