This is an analysis of the meaning and significance of the first two scaffold scenes in The Scarlet Letter.

In chapter 12, the second of three scaffold scenes occurs. The chapter is very important to the Dimmesdale-Hester storyline because of a significant amount of foreshadowing. The scaffold scenes provide deep insight to Dimmesdale's state of mind. Dimmesdale is anxious, worried, and confused throughout the second half of the book. He is worried that townspeople will find out he is Pearl's father and perhaps lose faith in the church, but at the same time he seems anxious to get it out in the open. Dimmesdale really seems confused because he gets up on the scaffold late at night and starts scr…