The Scarlet Letter study guide questions - McHale

V4: according to the narrator in what ways are hatred and love similar?

"Each in its outmost development, supposes a high degree of intimacy.... the two passions seem eventually the same."

I1: How has Chillingworth's "new purpose" changed him?

Chillingworth is able to study character of the people in Boston now that he is a physician.

J2: despite his failing health, how has Dimmesdale fared in his office as minister?

Dimmesdale acts as though he is not personally involved in Hester's situation and only as her minister.

S1: how does Dimmesdale behave as he leaves the woods?

Dimmesdale acts as though he was no longer ill as he leaves the woods.

H4: What change has occurred in Arthur Dimmesdale?

Dimmesdale begins to change when he acts as though it would be better for the father if he would come forward and Hester could keep the child.

O1: why does Hester go out into the woods?

Hester wants privacy so retreats to the woods where she tells Pearl a story about the man who haunts the woods.

C2: what effect does the arrival of the stranger have upon Hester?

Hester was almost frightened about the stranger's appearance and recognized him right away but would still refuse to reveal him as her husband.

H5: How does Dimmesdale's eloquent argument save Hesters soul?

Hester was invited to a meeting in the woods for witches but declines; She goes on to say that if she had lost Pearl she would have definitely signed to the devil. Sims Dimmesdale was a key contribution to Hesters keeping Pearl, he saved her soul because she did not sign to the devil.

D1: how does Roger Chillingworth gain entrance to the prison?

Hester's infant began crying and irritated the jailer's nerves, so he requested a physician to calm the child allowing him to enter the prison.

J4: How does Dimmesdale punish himself physically?

In order to punish himself for his sins, Dimmesdale whips himself with a scourge, starves himself, and does not sleep but instead prays all night.

L1: What responsibility begins to trouble Hester?

Pearl begins to overwhelm Hester, because she is alone, supporting herself and her daughter has become a hassle on her.

N1: what has Pearl seemingly taken as her appointed mission?

Pearl has made it her mission to discover the letter's true meaning.

V4: how does pearl change as Dimmesdale dies and the spell is broken and her errand is over?

She kisses him and weeps and can finally have hopes of growing old and having abnormal life.

K1:What is the minister's vigil?

The minister's vigil is the scaffold where Hester was persecuted.

V1: how does pearl's course in life change now that her errand is over?

Pearl accepted her mother and her letter but when she removed it, Pearl could no longer relate to her mother.

R2: how does Pearl behave when she sees Hester without her letter?

Pearl almost does not recognize her mother when there is no letter. She refuses to come to her and Dimmesdale.

QE: "Believe me, Hester, there are few things... Few things hidden from the man who devotes himself earnestly and unreservedly to the solution of a mystery."

"I come to this inquest with other senses then they possess. I shall seek this man as I have sought truth in books, as I have sought gold in alchemy."

Qh: "-What a change and come over his features-how much uglier they were-how his dark complexion seem to have grown duskier, and his figure more misshapen..."

"Thy wast my pastor, and hast charge of my soul, and knows me better than these men can... thou knowest -for thou has sympathies which these men lack-thou knowest what is in my heart, and what are the mother's rights..." "You speak, my friend, with a strange earnestness."

QI: "... He attached to him as a parishioner."

"Wherever there is a heart and an intellect, the diseases of the physical frame is tinged with the peculiarities of these." "... The man of skill, the kind and friendly physician -strove to go deep into his patients bosom... probing everything with a cautious touch, like a treasure seeker in the dark cavern."

D2: what effect does Chillingworth's gaze have on Hester?

After administering the medicine to the infant, Chillingworth looked into Hester's eyes and her reaction to this was, "A gaze that made her heart shrink and shutter, because so familiar, and yet so strange and cold..."

V2: what happens to Chillingworth after Dimmesdale dies? How is his fate described?

After looking for revenge, Chillingworth shriveled up and died.

F5: How does Pearl get along with the other Puritan children?

Although Pearl tries to get along with the other Puritan children, they all noticed there is something wrong with Pearl and the mother likewise so they outcast her and make her a shame to society.

E1: how do the towns people treat Hester after her release?

Although an outcast of society and a negative image in Boston, Hester continues her needlework but is never requested to do a wedding gown because of her reputation. Children and adults often look at her as if she is a monster and she is often lectured for her sin. Hester's social life is destroyed so she spends most times alone and is treated very poorly in the town.

B3: what does Hester think about during the three hours on the scaffold?

As Hester waited three hours on the scaffold, her mind began to go back into her childhood, she saw her old home in Old England, her father's old face, her mothers, and finally her own childlike completion of a long time ago.

J1: How has the relationship between Chillingworth and Dimmesdale changed?

As the reader we understand Chillingworth's true purpose for living with Dimmesdale is not to be his physician but is actually trying to prove his belief that Dimmesdale is Pearl's father. When Dimmesdale begins to get suspicious of Chillingworth's plans, he starts retracting his friendship.

I2: What is the nature of Chillingworth's spirituality?

Basically administering remedies he learned in previous years but is seen as connected to medicine in some sort of way.

T1:what is the occasion of the holiday in Boston?

Boston had an Election Day holiday celebrating as the officials take office.

M3: What does Chillingworth acknowledge about himself in the scene?

Chillingworth acknowledged that he had evil in his heart but blamed Hester.

I4: Why is Dimmesdale fascinated with the company of Chillingsworth?

Chillingworth and Dimmesdale become friends and is fascinated by the intellect of Chillingworth and believes he is helping a friend out by allowing him to live there.

V3: how does Chillingworth try to convince Dimmesdale out of mounting the scaffold?

Chillingworth claims Dimmesdale could never escape him.

D6: what quest does Chillingworth pledge himself?

Chillingworth claims that he will find out who the father of the child is because of his resources and his intelligence.

H3: What change has occurred in Roger Chillingworth?

Chillingworth lost all care for Hester and began to make his mission solely to get revenge, take Pearl from Hester, and discover the father of the child.

D7: what oath does Chillingworth wrest from Hester under the duress of her circumstances?

Chillingworth makes Hester vowed to never tell who he really is. He says if she can keep the secret of her lover then she can keep the secret of her husband.

T3: how has Chillingworth planed to thwart Hester and Dimmesdale's plans to escape?

Chillingworth plans to take a plan to Bristol.

S3: how does Dimmesdale rebuff Chillingworth's offer of help in writing the election day sermon?

Chillingworth says the town might find their ill pastor gone and Dimmesdale agrees "to another world."

D5: why would Hester have married a man like Chillingworth?

Coming of age Hester would have needed a husband because it was appropriate that a woman would be married unless she was independently wealthy. Hester, being wise, married a intelligent man with wealth in order to survive.

U1: how does Dimmesdale appear on this morning?

Confidently and with purpose.

Q2: how does Dimmesdale accept Hester's plan for their escape?

Dimmesdale is overly excited for the plans Hester has made to escape.

P2: why is Dimmesdale concerned about himself and his duties as a minister?

Dimmesdale is still concerned about his sin and the effect it had on his heart.

P4: what is Dimmesdale willing to do for Hester that Chillingworth is not willing to do for Dimmesdale?

Dimmesdale is willing to forgive Hester while Chillingworth is not willing to forgive Dimmesdale.

V5: why does Dimmesdale praise God as he dies?

Dimmesdale praises God meaning he leaves the situation to Him who guided his path.

R1: what is the significance of the brook which stands between Hester, Dimmesdale, Pearl, and the letter?

Dimmesdale sees the brook as a separation between their worlds keeping them from Pearl.

J3:How can Dimmesdale speak "the veriest truth and transform it into the veriest falsehood"?

Dimmesdale turned the veriest truth into falsehood when he preached against the actions of the man who he was. He was very hypocritical and preached against his own sin making his preached word false.

S2: what explanation for this strange behavior does the narrator provide?

Dimmesdale was excited.

L3: What sad transformation has taken place in Hester's appearance?

Due to stress, Hester has lost some of her young glow and hides her hair.

V2: how does Arthur mount the scaffold?

Half heartedly.

F1: how does Hawthorne connect pearl to chapter 1?

Hawthorne describes the child, "a lovely and immortal flower out of the rank luxuriance of guilty passion. How strange it seemed to the sad woman as she watch the growth, and the beauty that became every day more brilliant, and the intelligence that grew it's quivering sunshine over the tiny features of this child!" He uses these words and phrases to connect Pearl with the wild rose bush in the grassplot by the prison door.

B4: what features of the stranger in the town does Hawthorne described in chapter 3?

Hawthorne describes the stranger as well stricken in age, pale, thin, slightly deformed with the left shoulder a trifle higher than the right, and with a remarkable intelligence in his features

E2: what reasons does Hawthorne give for Hester's staying in Boston? Which one seems most compelling?

Hawthorne gives Hester reasons to stay in Boston because her sin has bound her to this new town and she must stay and purify herself. But the most compelling is the fact that her lover lives there and if she left him they could not be together.

I5: What investigation has Chillingworth undertaken?

Hawthorne says Chillingworth has started an investigation with equal and sever integrity as a judge, searching for truth.

V5:what final magnanimous gesture does Chillingworth make to Pearl? Why would he admire her? In what ways are they similar?

He can relate to Pearl now that Dimmesdale is gone.

B1: contrast Hester Prynne with the other women in Boston.

Hester Prynne is a very self-sufficient and independent women. She has proved she can support herself and eventually her daughter, while other women in Boston rely on their husbands for money and work.

P5: what advice does Hester give to Dimmesdale?

Hester advises Dimmesdale to move away and leave the past behind.

E3: where does Hester live?

Hester and pearl take residence in a old cottage just outside of the town.

L2: How have the townspeople changed the view of Hester and the interpretation of the letter's meaning?

Hester becomes a strong part in her town by helping ill people, sewing, and doing other helpful actions around the community. Following all Hester's services everyone believes the letter means "able" instead of "adultery."

M4: What request does Hester make of Chillingworth regarding Dimmesdale? How does Chillingworth respond?

Hester begs Chillingworth to let Dimmesdale up but responds by blaming Hester.

L5: How is Hester's mind and personal philosophy different from those of other people in the community?

Hester believed in being generous and caring no matter what, while everyone else prosecuted her.

K4: How does Hester betray Dimmesdale in this sense?

Hester betray Dimmesdale by not revealing to him the truth about Chillingworth's identity.

F3: how does Hester dress her child?

Hester dressed her child in extravagant and beautiful dresses that she made herself.

H1: Why does Hester feel that she can teach pearl her catechism well?

Hester feels as though she can teach her daughter the difference between right and wrong because of her own mistakes. She feels as though she can teach Pearl how to be a Christian better than herself so that she will not have to experience the situation her mother is in.

Q3: how does Hester change when she removes the letter?

Hester feels free and lighter when she rips the letter from her bosom.

U2: what does Hester feel as Dimmesdale passes her on the street?

Hester felt as though Dimmesdale was far away from her and she could not reach him.

L6: What resolution does Hester adapt at the end of this chapter?

Hester finally decided to confront and meet her husband.

P3: what shocking news does Hester reveal to Dimmesdale?

Hester finally reveals to Dimmesdale Chillingworth as her husband.

G1: What is the official plan in regard to Hester and Pearl?

Hester had planned to deliver embroidered gloves to the governor in order to see if the rumors were true.

Q1: how has the scarlet letter prepared Hester for this moment in the woods?

Hester had previously lived in solitude because of the letter which prepared her for this moment.

E4: how does has to make a living?

Hester is a seamstress and creates beautiful clothing for everyone in the town, but will never be able to make a wedding gown because of her fornication.

F4: how does Pearl's behavior reflect Hester's spirit?

Hester is seeing all the flaws of herself in Pearl such as her temper, her wild, desperate, defiant mood, and the "cloud shape gloom and despondency that had shaped over her heart."

M1: where does Hester meet Chillingworth seven years later?

Hester meets Chillingworth at the peninsula seven years later.

L4: What magic touch does Hester need to transform her once again into a beautiful loving woman?

Hester needs the "magic touch" of someone to undo her cap and transform her back into a woman when her hair would be let down.

P6: what final promise does Hester make to Dimmesdale in this chapter?

Hester promises to exchange the life they live with a better one.

K2: How has Hester been spending the evening?

Hester said she had been at Governor Winthrop's deathbed then took his measurements for a robe all evening.

E5: with what new "power" or awareness does the letter endow Hester?

Hester's new power was that the scarlet letter was not only just a piece of cloth but was red hot with infernal fire and could be seen glowing all night whenever she walked in the dark.

R3: how is Pearl unkind to both Hester and Dimmesdale at separate moments in the scene?

Pearl mocks what Dimmesdale says and mocks Hester's love.

H2: How does Pearl respond to Mr. Wilson's catechism questions?

Pearl refuses to answer Mr. Wilson's questions at first, but when he asks her who made her, Pearl says her mother picked her from the rose bush outside of the prison.

F6: How does Pearl react to the scarlet letter?

Pearl was often fascinated with the gold embroidered letter on her mothers bosom this often worried Hester because it affected Pearl's attitude.

C3: how is Reverend Dimmesdale different from Reverend Wilson and other puritan officials?

Reverend Dimmesdale is young, coming straight from University to this undeveloped land, and many of the people in Boston have already given him respect and labeled him godly, but most of all he was the one who tried to convince Hester to confess her sins.

P1: how much time has elapsed since Hester and Dimmesdale last spoke alone?

Seven years has elapsed since Hester and Dimmesdale last spoke alone.

Q5: how has Pearl supposedly been spending her time in the woods?

Spending time with nature while gathering leaves.

V1: what effect has Dimmesdale's sermon had on the people's view of him?

The crowd is inspired by the ill priest.

G3: How does the governor's breast plate reflect Hester's later? Why does HIS breast plate reflect Hester in this way?

The governor had to wear his breast plate in war but then later had to hang it up to become a lawyer, this put him in a strange place in society. Hester relates to this because she wears her scarlet letter as if she was in war and now she is a mother with a unnatural place in society.

G2: What were the governor's ancestors like?

The governor's ancestors were all categorized by their sternness and severity, and were like ghosts who criticized all living men.

T2: how do the people celebrate in the streets?

The people celebrate in the street by having a procession.

B2: how do most of the people in Boston receive Hester and the debut of her and her letter? Why do they feel this way?

The people of Boston felt ashamed of Hester because of the image it would give their community. And because of the extravagance of her scarlet "A" on the bosom of her dress, they believed she was proud of her sin. They wanted to brand her forehead for everyone to know her sin and punish her by death for her actions.

U3: how effective is Dimmesdale's Election Day sermon?

The sermon was effective but did not change the way the crowd treated Dimmesdale.

F2: what is the significance of Pearl's name to Hester?

The significance of Pearl's name is The great price it came with, purchased with all she had, and her mother's only treasure.

C1: what does the stranger in town pledge himself to find out?

The stranger pledged himself to discover Hester Prynne's crimes and who the father of the infant was.

K5: How do the townspeople interpret the celestial phenomenon on the following day?

The townspeople claimed the red letter "A" in the sky meant "Angel" because Governor Winthrop passed away and made an angel.

A1: What two practical necessities do all human communities need to construct?

Two practical necessities all human communities need to construct, according to the narrator, include a cemetary and a prision.

D4: why did Roger Chillingworth originally marry Hester?

Unlike Hester, Chillingworth married her out of love; he even says she warmed the cold place his heart.

I3: In what capacity does Chillingworth "attach" himself to Dimmesdale?

We discovered Dimmesdale is ill and Chillingworth will be the one to care for him, allowing himself to attach to Dimmesdale by moving into his home.

M2: What does Hester notice in Chillingworth?

When Hester sees Chillingworth, she notices he has transformed from a scholar into a greedy and selfish man.

K3: What celestial phenomenon occurs as Hester and Pearl join Dimmesdale?

When Pearl and Hester join Dimmesdale on the scaffold, Pearl points at the sky where a red meteor shower light up the night creating a letter A.