Chapters 21-22

Chillingsworth makes a passage to Europe to taunt Hester. Dimmesdale makes his speech to the townspeople. Hester looks on. Chillingsworth approaches her and states that Hester and Pearl can go on the ship by themselves and he will make arrangements for Dimmesdale. The whole crowd is staring at them. Dimmesdale has surmised that "resistance is futile." (per Spark Notes) and Chillingsworth will haunt and taunt them for the rest of their lives.

I agree Chillingsworth is the most evil character. Spark Notes refers to the "dominant order" and Dimmesdale gives in to this theory.

The plot thickens and as readers we probably wonder what, if any, more attempts to leave they will make. It is a bold act for them.

Did you catch how Chillingsworth knew that Dimmesdale was going to leave? After reading this section I thought perhaps hester, Pearl and dimmesdale would pretend to board but not actually get on and the ship would sail with Chillingsworth. By Dimmedales demeaner as he walks in the 'parade' it is obvious He doesn't know that Chillingsworth is planning to be on board.

That would have been a good plan if they used some more common sense. Hester, Dimmesdale and Pearl could have gotten away.

I also wondered about how Mr. Chillingsworth found out that they were trying to leave?

I agree with SparkNotes that these chapters seem to tell us that Hester's sin, the attention, the shame will never go away.

I would not put it past Chillingsworth to find out this information. He is a sly old puppy. I wonder how often a ship will sail back to England.