encourages Dimmesdale to leave Boston She asks him to start a new life with her and Pearl in Europe Hawthorne says Be it sin or no I will go For the first time Dimmesdale feels the hope of love and happiness He agrees to escape from the dark Puritan world This decision gives both of them a brief sense of joy and freedom Their plan reflects their desire to live by love not by law and guilt A Moment of Natural Joy and Renewal When Hester removes her scarlet letter and lets her hair fall sunlight suddenly shines on her face The act symbolizes her inner freedom Pearl plays near the brook and nature seems to bless their love The scene becomes a symbol of hope and rebirth Dimmesdale feels renewed strength and peace after years of guilt For a short time the forest becomes their paradise far from social sin and human punishment Thus the forest meeting gives Hester and Dimmesdale peace and happiness It shows that love and truth can still live beyond sin Yet their brief joy cannot defeat their tragic fate