that Chillingworth is her husband the truth is revealed Hawthorne shows that the forest allows confession and self-realization It becomes a natural confessional where human emotions are pure and real The forest accepts truth without judgment It symbolizes a place where people can speak from the heart Contrast to Puritan Society The forest stands in sharp contrast to the Puritan society The town represents law order and punishment Forest reveals love passion and forgiveness When Hester and Dimmesdale plan to escape they do it in the forest The narrator says The stigma gone Hester heaved a long deep sigh This shows peace found only in nature The forest offers moral and emotional freedom while the town offers only shame It becomes the true world of the heart beyond human law Thus the forest symbolizes freedom truth and natural goodness It contrasts with Puritan law and judgment Through the forest Hawthorne shows that nature gives peace honesty and moral strength