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…showed last 75 words of 514 total…and Pearl, he finally gains his personal victory and succeeds in breaking Chillingworth's hold over him. Dimmesdale's public confession is an act of bravery for him; he considers the public acceptance of his guilt better than the cowardly escape from Boston that he had planned. When he reveals the scarlet letter on his chest, he is freed to die a peaceful man. Hester is also relieved since she no longer has to hold any secrets.