-~- DIALECTICAL JOURNAL #33 -~-

The number seven is quite prevalent in the latter half of the book. It correlates with the religious/spiritual theme of the book and ties into the forgiveness vs. sin and punishment which I'm thinking of writing my essay on.

-Seven years' weight of misery (Arthur)
-Pearl's age (Approx.)
-How long Arthur has kept a secret

Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.

Genesis 2:1-3

"God rested on the seventh day because his work of creation was complete, entire, perfect. Thus seven represents this perfect completeness and also it represents rest, as in the rest that is taken from work. It is from this same word that the Sabbath, the day of rest comes."

The seven is used in this book because the forgiveness of the sin has come full circle with Hester and Arthur accepting who they are as a couple and handling it publicly with nature. Thus, the seven long years they've waited, and the story at this point is in its seventh year, which would mean it is the year of completion, of rest, where their emotions aren't depleting their body. 

When the ray of sunshine covers the forest, this could be God blessing/sanctifying the seventh year. Perhaps he/she/it feels that seven years has been long enough, and all the work Hester has done for the community and Arthur for the congregation, has finally paid off and they have achieved the peace and ease of mind they have longed for through public shame.