Chapter Seventeen
Entry Forty
When Hester and Dimmesdale sit on the tree, the forest switches its 'mood.' Now it seems to create a holy atmosphere although it is very gloomy around them. But they decide to stay, the don't escape from the world around them, so obviously it doesn't make them feel uncomfortable. Hawthorne describes the woods as turbulent and agitated. They seem to try to tell the couple's story or to give them warning of doom. But still they don't flee from it. For this short moment they feel strong enough to endure the approaching calamity.
And suddenly, in this speacial light, they see each other with different eyes:
"Here, seen only by his eyes, the scarlet letter need not burn into the bosom of the fallen woman! Here, seen only by her eyes, Arthur Dimmesdale, false to God and man, might be, for one moment, true!"They look into each other's sould which are unconcealed and naked. They are finally true to their feelings.
So nature here takes on the romantic notion of being alive and part of God? It tries to warn the couple? Interesting notion.
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