due to his lingering guilt and cowardly behavior. The scaffold upon which Hester stood and Dimmesdale confessed is a symbol of penitence. All who stand upon the scaffold will be forgiven for their sins by god. When Dimmesdale confesses at night upon the scaffold, God attempts to brand the letter "A" into Dimmesdale. "And thus, while standing on the scaffold, in this vain show of expiation,
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