Scarlet Letter 1-21
In chapter 15, after Pearl constructs her own A for her dress out of seaweed, Hester asks the child if she understands why her mother must wear the scarlet letter? What is Pearl's answer, and what do her words show us about her?
Hester wears the scarlet letter for the same reason that Dimmesdale does. Pearl is a very observant girl who figures things out easily.
Who spoke up on Hester's behalf regarding the custody of Pearl?
Dimmesdale
Give one reason why Hester does not simply leave Boston. (There are several.) Use a FULL SENTENCE to answer.
She knows what she did is wrong and she wants to live out her punishment.
Who is chosen to ask Hester to reveal the father to her child?
Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale, Hester's pastor
Once the decision is made, Hester strips off the scarlet letter and
throws it aside on a pile of leaves
Why did Hester go to Governor Bellingham's residence?
to deliver a pair of gloves to appeal to him not to take her daughter away from her
What request does Chillingworth make of Hester?
to keep his identity a secret
How does the town view Dimmesdale as he grows physically weaker?
with even greater respect
How long has Hester's husband been away from her?
2 years
Describe a typical New England woman in the 1700s. Use a FULL SENTENCE when answering.
A typical New England woman during this time was large, a bit "rough around the edges" and somewhat manly looking. Women then were not feminine or pretty.
The setting of the novel is?
Boston, 1690
Explain the title of Chapter Eighteen "A Flood of Sunshine." Why is this chapter called this?
Chapter Eighteen is like what Catholics feel after they went to confession. It represents the light that comes after the darkness. When the sins are finally confessed, light and happiness can finally come back into the lives of the sinners.
Chillingworth's worst sin, according to Dimmesdale, is that he "violated the sanctity of a human heart." Explain what he means here. Look up the words if you need to. Give an explanation here of what the doctor is doing that is WAY WORSE than anything these two did.
Dimmesdale committed his sin our of the pure love he felt for Hester. Chillingworth on the other hand is committing a sin our of hatred. He is jealous of Hester and Dimmesdale that he gives the minister a herb that will only keep him alive until he stops taking it. He is torturing him by doing so.
True or False: The majority of the women were pleased with the punishment to be inflicted upon Hester.
False
Who is dying in the community while Dimmesdale stands on the scaffold?
Governor Winthrop
Early in chapter 15, Hawthorne states, "Let men tremble to win the hand of woman, unless they win along with it the utmost passion of her heart!" Discuss this statement as it relates to our story. What is our author's message here?
Hawthorne seems to be commenting her on arranged marriage - he suggests that it can never work unless the man wins her love.
After the young minister speaks on her behalf, Hester is allowed - by the Puritan leaders - to keep Pearl. What are some of the reasons that the minister gives for why she should be allowed to keep her baby?
He told them that God gave her that child and they coudn't take her away. He also stated that this baby blesses her with the motherhood, and that she is reminded of her sin each day when she looks at her baby.
Chillingworth is described as very evil and almost devil-like in chapter 14. WHO does Hester say is to blame for this transformation and why?
Hester blames herself. Because of her actions, she has caused Chillingworth to go crazy.
What crime/sin has Hester committed? Use a FULL SENTENCE to answer.
Hester committed adultery - she had a child with a man other than her husband.
How does Hester's encounter with Mistress HIbbins illustrate the argument that Pearl "might bring Hester to heaven"?
Hester refused to go to the forest with Mistress Hibbins but indicated she probably would have if she was not a mother.
While Hester and Pearl are walking to the governor's home, they meet up with some Puritan children who wanted to "fling mud at" Hester and Pearl. How does Pearl react? Give SPECIFIC examples of how she acts toward these bullies.
Pearl was upset with the children. She ran at them and screamed at them and they ran off.
Explain the symbolism of the scene with the convex mirror on the breastplate of the armour at the governor's mansion.
People see Hester as a sinner. The Scarlet letter covers Hester and it symbolizes how that is all they see her as.
Who sees the three of them standing on the scaffold?
Roger Chillingworth
How many years have passed since Hester stood upon the platform of shame?
Seven
How did Pearl respond to Mr. Wilson's question about catechism?
She said she had been plucked from the rosebush.
The author notes some physical changes in Hester Prynne. HOW, and more important, WHY is Hester experiencing a physical change to her being? Make sure you note both for full credit.
She was changing because of the effect of the symbol. She hides her hair and didn't show it's shininess anymore. She is also starting to dress in dark clothing.
Describe the governor's home: give at least 2-3 SPECIFIC examples of what it looked like and then go on and explain how his home differed from normal Puritan ways. What does this tell us about him?
The Governor's home was a mansion. It had a huge archway and was full of lavish furniture. It also had a knight in shining armor that reflected the Scarlet letter off of it. It also had a lot of windows through the mansion.
Why does Hester feel obligated to help the minister? Use a FULL SENTENCE to answer.
The author states that the two are connected due to their shared crime.
What does the physician say is the underlying cause of the minister's illness? (Use a FULL SENTENCE.)
The doctor believes the minister is hiding something. He says he is a man "burdened with a secret". He says he is suffering from a disease of the heart and mind.
What is the usual punishment for this crime, according to the Puritans? Use a FULL SENTENCE to answer.
The usual punishment for this crime was death.
In Chapter Ten, Pearl states: "Come away, Mother! Come away, or yonder old Black Man will catch you! He hath got ahold of the minister already" ( 131). What do these words tell us about her?
These words tell us that Pearl is smart. She knows that the devil has taken over the Doctor and that he is a bad man.
How do the living arrangements of Chillingworth and Dimmesdale change?
They decide to share a house.
The scarlet letter on Hester's breast has stood for adultery, then angel, and now symbolizes how ABLE Hester is midway through the novel. Give some examples of her strength as noted in the text. Use FULL SENTENCES to answer.
They mention in the chapter how she is always the first to help others: she visits those who are ill, she is the first to attend to someone who is grieving, she often is the shoulder for other sinners. She is strong and empathetic/sympathetic because she has "been there" herself.
True or False: The three know that Chillingworth has seen them on the scaffold together.
True
Hawthorne suggests in chapter one that when each community was settled, two portions of soil were automatically allotted to?
a cemetery and a prison
What item belonging to Dimmesdale is found the next morning lying on the scaffold?
a glove
We can infer that Chillingworth probably saw ____________________ on Dimmesdale's chest?
a letter A
"It may serve, let us hope, to symbolize some sweet moral blossom that may be found along the track, or relieve the darkening close of a tale of human frailty and sorrow" refers to?
a rosebush
Dimmesdale's FIRST reaction to Hester's revelation about Chillingworth is one of
anger
Hester and Dimmesdale plan to
be together leave for Europe in a few days start a new life
It is DIRECTLY STATED in the novel that Dimmesdale practices all of the following acts of self-punishment EXCEPT (which one is not directly stated? Which one must we infer?)
carves the letter A on his chest
Hawthorne describes Hester as?
dark-haired, tall and ladylike
As Hester stands on the scaffold, she thinks of?
her childhood
The man Hester recognizes in the crowd is?
her husband
Reverend Dimmesdale speaks to Hester during the first scaffold scene to convince her to?
identify Pearl's father
How was Pearl dressed on the day they visited the governor's house?
in a crimson dress embroidered with gold
Hester is resolved to help Dimmesdale by?
no longer cooperating with Chillingworth
Why did Hester name the child Pearl?
she had paid a great price for her
How does Hester answer Pearl's questions about the minister always holding his hand over his heart?
she threatens to lock her in a dark closet
While on the scaffold in the middle of the night with Dimmesdale and her mother, Pearl asks the minister to
stand there on the scaffold with them in the daylight for all to see
In Chapter 16, Hester plans to meet with Dimmesdale to
tell him the truth about Chillingworth
Who is Mistress Hibbins?
the governor's sister
