Chapter
1:
2. What is the significance of the rosebush outside of the
prison door?
The rosebush
represents Hester. Everything else is so dull and lifeless, and
then there
is the bright rosebush. It grew up beautiful through all the challenges
it faced
just like Hester did.
Chapter 2:
4.
What
is Hester's first action in the novel and what does it real about
her character?
Describe her demeanor as she emerges from the prison.
It
reveals she
is a strong and brave person. She just carries herself with so much
pride and
dignity in a situation where most people would have hung their heads
in shame.
5.
According
to the narrator, what is the greatest “outrage…against
our common
nature”? Do you agree? How might this opinion on the part of
the
narrator shape the telling of this
story?
According
to the narrator, the greatest outrage
is to "forbid the culprit to hide his face for shame; as it was the essence
of this punishment to do". I definitely agree. It is one thing to
publicly shame
someone, but not even allowing them to hide their face in shame
is terrible.
They have to sit there and stare back at the people that
are judging them.
The opinion of the narrator influences the way we think. It shows
that Hester
fought against human nature and took her punishment without
too much
shame. This shows us just how brave Hester is.
Chapter 3:
7.
Describe the stranger standing next to the Indian during Hester’s
punishment.
The
man standing next to the Indian was a short white man. He showed
signs of intelligence and age. One shoulder was slightly higher than
the other
and whenever she made eye contact with this stranger she
seemed embarrassed.
9.
Describe Reverend Dimmesdale. What are his most
significant physical features
and what do they suggest about his personality and even his
soul?
“
He was
a person of very striking aspect, with a white, lofty, and impending
brow, large, brown, melancholy eyes, and a mouth which, unless when he
forcibly compressed it, was apt to be tremulous, expressing both nervous sensibility
and a vast power of self- restraint.” Instead of being lofty and white his soul might
reflect the exact opposite.
10.
What argument does Dimmesdale use to try to convince Hester to name
her "fellow
sinner"? How does Hester respond? How does her child respond?
The
argument
that Dimmesdale tries to make is that by not naming her
“fellow sinner”
she is leading him in the wrong direction. Not only did he sin, but also
it
tempts
him to add hierocracy to his sin. All Hester does is shake her head,
but her
baby reaches up to Dimmesdale.
11.
Why does Hester say the Scarlet letter can never be removed from her breast?
Hester
says this because even if she were to remove the “A” from her
chest,
it would still be embedded into her heart. This is true because she
will
never
forget her sin. It is a part of her and she will always wear the
“A”
regardless
of if it is physically there or just in her heart.
Chapter
4:
13.
What does Chillingsworth mean when he says to Hester, "We have
wronged each
other"?
He
says this because she had an affair with someone else and that is
obviously how she wronged him, but less obviously he wronged her.
He
married
her knowing that she didn’t love him. He was old and
not exactly desirable,
while she was young and beautiful. He tied her down and knew before
doing so that she could never be truly happy with him.
Chapter
5:
16.
The narrator gives two reasons for Hester's refusal to leave New
England, one
that is authentic and one that Hester fabricates as a
"self-delusion. "Explain
each one and what it reveals about Hester's
character.
Hester
was married
in New England so she says her birthplace is there. Her "self-delusion" is
that she wants to pay for her sin, in the place where
she committed it. Hester
realizes that she committed a terrible sin and needs to be punished
for it.
She is a good woman that made a mistake and is obviously willing to pay
for what
she did.
17.
Where does Hester live after her leaving the prison? What is
significant about
this location?
After
leaving prison Hester lives
on the edge of town. It
is significant
because it is so far away from other
people.
20.
What new and special power does the scarlet letter seem to give
Hester? What
is Hester's reaction to this new found ability?
The
scarlet letter seems to
give
Hester a new understanding of the pain and sadness in other
people’s
hearts.
She realizes that keeping something bottled up inside of you can take
a toll
on your body and can cause physically and emotional pain.
Chapter
6:
22.
How does the narrator account for Pearl's wild and untamed
character?
The
narrator implies that Pearl might be more punishment for her mother.
She is
like a crazy demon child. She is wild and challenging
and so much like Hester.
24.
What purpose might the mother-daughter
conflict play in the novel?
The mother-daughter
conflict is like the conflict between good and evil. Hester is trying to live
her life right after this sin, but Pearl represents the
sin that Hester
committed. While Hester is trying to forget about her sinful past
Pearl is
a constant reminder. It is a continuous
fight between her sins and her renewed
attempt at righteousness.
Chapter
7:
26.
Describe Pearl's dress and comment on its
significance.
Pearl
dresses in bright
fancy dresses just for everyday wear. This is not common in the
puritan establishment.
Most people dress in dull colors to go through the everyday. This
just reflects their character. Most people conform into society and
are boring
and all the same, but Pearl is different. She
isn’t
like most of the
children.
She is beautiful and wild.
27.
Describe the construction and furnishing of Governor Bellingham's mansion.
What does it reveal about Puritan culture?
Governor
Bellingham's house
was large and new. It had a lot of things inside that would make
someone feel
at home. It was kept neat and clean. It also had beautiful windows.
This reveals
that the Puritan culture emphasizes appearances. If something is
wrong in your house no one needs to know besides you. They do try to make you
feel
welcome
though, even if you aren’t.
Chapter
8:
29.
What reason does the Governor give for taking Pearl from her mother?
How does
he "examine" Pearl and for what purpose? How do Pearl's responses strengthen
the elders' biases against her and Hester?
He
doesn’t want Pearl to end
up like Hester. He asks her who her heavenly father is and she
doesn’t know.
This makes the elders’ want to take her even more and teach
her
Christian
values that they think her mother
isn’t teaching her.
30.
What reason does Hester give for her need to keep Pearl? Who supports
her plea
and why?
Hester
gives the reason that she created Pearl and she is her only companion.
Also she says that Pearl is also punishment and a reminder of
her sin
given to her by God. Dimmesdale supports her plea because Hester
created
Pearl,
but what they don’t know is that he created Pearl too.
Chapter
9:
33.
How does Chillingsworth make a place for himself in Boston society? Why
are we
as readers suspicious of his professional and social motivations? Why
does this
suspicion seem to be absent from the narrator's tone?
He
is a doctor and is helping
Dimmesdale get better. We as readers are suspicious of his
professional
and
social motivations because we know that he is Hester’s husband.
Suspicion seems
to be absent from the narrator’s tone because he isn’t trying to
influence
us
in a bad way.
36.
What biblical stories are portrayed in the decorations
of Dimmesdale's room?
What themes or issues are suggested by these stories?
The
decorations shown
in Dimmesdale's room are King David, Bathseba, and Nathan the Prophet.
Bathseba was seduced by King David. Then, Nathan went to
kill David
for his sin of adultery. This is important because Dimmesdale
committed the
same sin that David and Bathseba committed. These things
remind him every
day of the sin he committed. These are almost like a scarlet letter
for him.
Chapter
10:
40.
Summarize the disagreement between Chillingsworth and Dimmesdale over the
confession of sin. What are the points of view offered by each man?
Why does
Dimmesdale leave the room? What is the larger significance of this conversation?
Chillingsworth
thinks that a nasty plant growing out of a grave is
from
sins that weren’t confessed.
Dimmesdale
thinks that the only time you need
to confess your sins is on judgment day to God. He thinks that no one needs
to know your business, but Chillingsworth thinks the opposite. He
thinks that
you should tell people about the things you have done wrong.
Dimmesdale leaves
the room because he knows he is one of those people that will keep
his sin
a secret and feels guilty. The larger significance of this conversation is
that each
of them is talking about the same thing.
42.
What important discovery does Chillingsworth make while Dimmesdale is sleeping?
How does the narrator describe Chillingsworth?
He
realizes why Dimmesdale
holds his hands over his chest all of the time. The narrator describes
Chillingsworth with a bit of joy and a little horror. He is
joyful because
he finally found the person who committed adultery with Hester,
but
kind
of horrified because he’s hurt and surprised that it is the
minister.
Chapter
11:
44.
How does Dimmesdale's suffering affect his work as a clergyman? What
is the
public reaction when Dimmesdale's "confesses" his sinfulness from
the pulpit?
Describe and analyze the narrator's tone toward
Dimmesdale as he describes
this confession.
He
felt like a hypocrite. Him confessing just made
them
think he was an even better person. He didn’t even really confess
though he
just said that he wasn’t as good as everyone thought and that he sinned
too.
The
narrator's tone is basically straight forward and tells things like it
is.
Chapter
12:
46.
Why does Dimmesdale go to stand on the scaffold?
He
feels guilty for his sin.
Hester has already done her time on the scaffold and now he is doing
his. The only thing is though
that
his
isn’t half as bad as hers was because he doesn’t
have people staring and judging him like she did.
49.
What question does Pearl ask Dimmesdale? What is his answer? Why is
this interaction
significant?
She
asks him if he will stand there tomorrow at noon
with
her and Hester. He says he won’t tomorrow,
but he will on judgment day. This interaction is
significant because Dimmesdale knows why he's there and I think
Pearl has a little understanding of what is going on. On judgment day,
all three
of them will stand there as a family and will have to
face guilt and humiliation
together.
50.
What "sign" appears in the sky? How is it described?
What two interpretations
are offered by which characters?
The
meteor was described as a
bow, a sword, or the letter "A" that meant for angel or adulterer to
others
.
Chapter
13:
53.
How has Hester's position in the community changed? How is this linked
to any
change in the townspeople's perception of the scarlet letter's
symbolism? Explain
the narrator's comment that "scarlet letter had not done
its office."
Hester’s
position
in the community has changed because she helps people. She
helps
the poor and the sickly. This changes the townspeople’s perception of
the scarlet
letter because the “A” no longer stands for adultery in their eyes.
The “A”
now stands for able to them.
The scarlet letter did not do its office because
it was supposed to embarrass her, but it ended up coming to
mean something
else that caused no embarrassment to her.
54.
Describe the changes in Hester's appearance
and temperament that
have come
as a result of wearing the scarlet letter. Include an explanation of
how her
view on womanhood has changed.
She
cut her hair. Now she is starting to act
like a real puritan woman should.
Chapter
14:
56.
Chillingsworth tells Hester that Dimmesdale is becoming
aware of what Chillingsworth
is doing and is starting to not want Chillingsworth near him. Of course,
Chillingsworth finds this troubling because he wants to continue to torture
Dimmesdale.
Chillingsworth
tells Hester that Dimmesdale is becoming aware
of what Chillingsworth is doing and is starting to not want
Chillingsworth near him. Of course, Chillingsworth finds this troubling because he wants
to continue
to torture Dimmesdale.
Chapter
15:
59.
Explain Hester’s statement, “If this be the price of the child’s
sympathy,
I
cannot
pay it.” Later, in chapter 16,
what does the narrator say Pearl needs
in order
to “make her capable of sympathy”?
She
says this because Pearl is always
asking
about the scarlet letter. She says she isn’t going to
tell Pearl about it
because
she is too young to know about it. The narrator says she needs
grief before
she can go ahead and tell her.
Chapter
16:
60.
Why hasn’t Hester ever visited Dimmesdale in
his study? What
does Hester’s
desired
meeting place suggest about the nature of their
relationship?
She
doesn’t
ever meet him in his study because suspicion would arise, plus
their
relationship
is more natural than that. There was nothing formal
about their relationship.
It also is dark with sin, so they meet in a dark place.
63.
What questions does Pearl repeat throughout
chapters 15 and 16? What do these
questions suggest about Pearl and about her relationship
with her mother?
Why
does Dimmesdale grab his chest? What does the scarlet letter mean? You can
tell from this that Pearl is defiant and that she is
eventually going to get her
way.
Chapter
17:
67.
Why does Hester reveal the truth of Chillingsworth's identity? How
does Dimmesdale
react? What is your reaction to his reaction?
Hester
felt like she needed
to tell him before Chillingsworth could do any more damage.
Dimmesdale at
first is mad, but he eventually gets over it. I was kind of upset that he
got
mad.
She was keeping his secret and someone else’s. If she would’ve
told
someone
the secret she was keeping for him he would
’ve
gotten mad so I don’t
really
understand how he could get mad and blame everything on her.
Chapter
18: 69.
In
the second paragraph of chapter 18, the narrator uses the phrase “amoral
wilderness.” What is this
intended to describe?
This
is intended to
describe
Hester’s character.
70.
How does
“Nature” react when Hester
removes the Scarlet Letter?
What is
the significance of this in light of Pearl’s statement
in chapter 16 that “the sunshine
does not love” Hester? What thematic message is solidified
in this moment?
(You might consider the statement in this same paragraph
that
“Love…must always create a sunshine.”)
Nature
was happy with her. It changed its
attitude towards her. The significance of this statement is that
the sunshine
was like happiness. No matter how much she ran after it, it
would
always
run from her. Once she took off the “A,” which represents the
burden
of
her sin, the sun, or happiness, ran to
her.
Chapter 19:
71.
Why is Pearl unable to share her mother’s joy over the Scarlet Letter’s
removal? Why
does she insist that Hester
put the Scarlet Letter on again? Why
does she reject Dimmesdale’s kiss?
Pearl
is unable to share her mother’s joy
over the
Scarlet Letter’s removal because if she tries to forget her sin by taking
of
the
letter, then she might try to forget her sin by getting
rid of Pearl too. Also,
she
isn’t used to seeing her mother without it. She rejects Dimmesdale’s
kiss because
he won’t be with them in public.
Chapter 20:
73.
What four temptations does Dimmesdale face
on his way home? What does Dimmesdale
assume is the source of these temptations? What
alternate explanation
does the narrator offer? What further explanations
for
Dimmesdale’s “temptation” might be apparent
to a modern reader?
His temptations are
having a conversation with the Deacon in his church,
the words
that the woman spoke into Dimmesdale's ear, to have sex with a
young girl,
and that he wanted to teach bad words
to young children. He already thinks
he is a bad person so now he just thinks he should act like
one.
74. What does Mistress Hibbins
perceive when she meets Dimmesdale? When
contrasted against Hester’s meeting with Mistress Hibbins at the
end of chapter 8, how does Dimmesdale’s response
to her further our understanding of
the contrast between the two lovers?
She
thinks that Dimmesdale was with her
master, the Devil. At the end of chapter 8 she asks
Hester if she wants to
sign
the Devil’s book. Hester says that she would if it we
re
not for Pearl.
Chapter 21:
76. To what degree and for what reason is Hester isolated
from Puritan
community during the Holiday? How
does Pearl act as a foil to
Hester’s
condition
in this scene? According to the
narrator, how is this
apparent contrast
the result of an underlying connection
between mother and daughter?
Hester
is very isolated from the scene. Pearl acts as a foil to Hester
because Hester
is very stressed out about leaving. This means that Pearl is happy
and calm.
They never seem to be feeling the same thing.
78. What bad news does Hester receive from the ship’s
captain? How might this
news suggest an impending tragedy to the
reader?
She
finds out that Chillingsworth
is also going to England with them. This suggests an impending tragedy to the
reader because there is going to be a conflict and something
bad is
going to happen.
Chapter 22:
80. How has Dimmesdale’s
appearance
changed? In what way does he appear separate
from the crowd and how does this affect
Hester? How does this
also foreshadow
a possible tragedy?
Dimmesdale
seems to be better now. He isn’t
really
acting like himself and that scares Hester
because
she doesn’t know if it
is
a good idea that they go to England together anymore. This also
foreshadows a
possible tragedy because Chillingsworth is going to take Dimmesdale to the boat.
Chapter 23:
83. How does Hawthorne further develop the symbolic
importance of the
scaffold during Dimmesdale’s sermon?
He
has a mark on his chest just like Hester
does. This connects them on a different level.
85.
Describe and analyze the significance of each of the main
characters’ reactions
to Dimmesdale’s confession. Ho
w
is each one changed by his confession?
Pearl
finally got what she wanted and she rewards him by bestowing a kiss on him.
Dimmesdale is relieved that he finally got his sin off of his chest. Chillingsworth
is upset because he can no longer torture Dimmesdale. Hester
is happy
that he finally got rid of his burden and says that they will spend
their afterlife
together.
86. What are Dimmesdale’s last words? Is there anything
significant about
these
words or the situation in which they are
spoken?
He
says that hopefully God will
be merciful and let them be together in heaven. He says without the
mark
on
his chest or Chillingsworth he would’ve never repented. This is
significant
because
he is saying that those things were almost a blessing.
Chapter 24:
87.
Summarize the concluding chapter in terms of character development
and final
thoughts offered by the narrator.
Chillingsworth
dies. Hester and Pearl move
to Europe. Hester comes back and when she dies she is buried next
to Dimmesdale,
but not really close because they have no right to mingle
even
after
death. They do share a headstone though. It is an “A” with a
black
background.
1:
2. What is the significance of the rosebush outside of the
prison door?
The rosebush
represents Hester. Everything else is so dull and lifeless, and
then there
is the bright rosebush. It grew up beautiful through all the challenges
it faced
just like Hester did.
Chapter 2:
4.
What
is Hester's first action in the novel and what does it real about
her character?
Describe her demeanor as she emerges from the prison.
It
reveals she
is a strong and brave person. She just carries herself with so much
pride and
dignity in a situation where most people would have hung their heads
in shame.
5.
According
to the narrator, what is the greatest “outrage…against
our common
nature”? Do you agree? How might this opinion on the part of
the
narrator shape the telling of this
story?
According
to the narrator, the greatest outrage
is to "forbid the culprit to hide his face for shame; as it was the essence
of this punishment to do". I definitely agree. It is one thing to
publicly shame
someone, but not even allowing them to hide their face in shame
is terrible.
They have to sit there and stare back at the people that
are judging them.
The opinion of the narrator influences the way we think. It shows
that Hester
fought against human nature and took her punishment without
too much
shame. This shows us just how brave Hester is.
Chapter 3:
7.
Describe the stranger standing next to the Indian during Hester’s
punishment.
The
man standing next to the Indian was a short white man. He showed
signs of intelligence and age. One shoulder was slightly higher than
the other
and whenever she made eye contact with this stranger she
seemed embarrassed.
9.
Describe Reverend Dimmesdale. What are his most
significant physical features
and what do they suggest about his personality and even his
soul?
“
He was
a person of very striking aspect, with a white, lofty, and impending
brow, large, brown, melancholy eyes, and a mouth which, unless when he
forcibly compressed it, was apt to be tremulous, expressing both nervous sensibility
and a vast power of self- restraint.” Instead of being lofty and white his soul might
reflect the exact opposite.
10.
What argument does Dimmesdale use to try to convince Hester to name
her "fellow
sinner"? How does Hester respond? How does her child respond?
The
argument
that Dimmesdale tries to make is that by not naming her
“fellow sinner”
she is leading him in the wrong direction. Not only did he sin, but also
it
tempts
him to add hierocracy to his sin. All Hester does is shake her head,
but her
baby reaches up to Dimmesdale.
11.
Why does Hester say the Scarlet letter can never be removed from her breast?
Hester
says this because even if she were to remove the “A” from her
chest,
it would still be embedded into her heart. This is true because she
will
never
forget her sin. It is a part of her and she will always wear the
“A”
regardless
of if it is physically there or just in her heart.
Chapter
4:
13.
What does Chillingsworth mean when he says to Hester, "We have
wronged each
other"?
He
says this because she had an affair with someone else and that is
obviously how she wronged him, but less obviously he wronged her.
He
married
her knowing that she didn’t love him. He was old and
not exactly desirable,
while she was young and beautiful. He tied her down and knew before
doing so that she could never be truly happy with him.
Chapter
5:
16.
The narrator gives two reasons for Hester's refusal to leave New
England, one
that is authentic and one that Hester fabricates as a
"self-delusion. "Explain
each one and what it reveals about Hester's
character.
Hester
was married
in New England so she says her birthplace is there. Her "self-delusion" is
that she wants to pay for her sin, in the place where
she committed it. Hester
realizes that she committed a terrible sin and needs to be punished
for it.
She is a good woman that made a mistake and is obviously willing to pay
for what
she did.
17.
Where does Hester live after her leaving the prison? What is
significant about
this location?
After
leaving prison Hester lives
on the edge of town. It
is significant
because it is so far away from other
people.
20.
What new and special power does the scarlet letter seem to give
Hester? What
is Hester's reaction to this new found ability?
The
scarlet letter seems to
give
Hester a new understanding of the pain and sadness in other
people’s
hearts.
She realizes that keeping something bottled up inside of you can take
a toll
on your body and can cause physically and emotional pain.
Chapter
6:
22.
How does the narrator account for Pearl's wild and untamed
character?
The
narrator implies that Pearl might be more punishment for her mother.
She is
like a crazy demon child. She is wild and challenging
and so much like Hester.
24.
What purpose might the mother-daughter
conflict play in the novel?
The mother-daughter
conflict is like the conflict between good and evil. Hester is trying to live
her life right after this sin, but Pearl represents the
sin that Hester
committed. While Hester is trying to forget about her sinful past
Pearl is
a constant reminder. It is a continuous
fight between her sins and her renewed
attempt at righteousness.
Chapter
7:
26.
Describe Pearl's dress and comment on its
significance.
Pearl
dresses in bright
fancy dresses just for everyday wear. This is not common in the
puritan establishment.
Most people dress in dull colors to go through the everyday. This
just reflects their character. Most people conform into society and
are boring
and all the same, but Pearl is different. She
isn’t
like most of the
children.
She is beautiful and wild.
27.
Describe the construction and furnishing of Governor Bellingham's mansion.
What does it reveal about Puritan culture?
Governor
Bellingham's house
was large and new. It had a lot of things inside that would make
someone feel
at home. It was kept neat and clean. It also had beautiful windows.
This reveals
that the Puritan culture emphasizes appearances. If something is
wrong in your house no one needs to know besides you. They do try to make you
feel
welcome
though, even if you aren’t.
Chapter
8:
29.
What reason does the Governor give for taking Pearl from her mother?
How does
he "examine" Pearl and for what purpose? How do Pearl's responses strengthen
the elders' biases against her and Hester?
He
doesn’t want Pearl to end
up like Hester. He asks her who her heavenly father is and she
doesn’t know.
This makes the elders’ want to take her even more and teach
her
Christian
values that they think her mother
isn’t teaching her.
30.
What reason does Hester give for her need to keep Pearl? Who supports
her plea
and why?
Hester
gives the reason that she created Pearl and she is her only companion.
Also she says that Pearl is also punishment and a reminder of
her sin
given to her by God. Dimmesdale supports her plea because Hester
created
Pearl,
but what they don’t know is that he created Pearl too.
Chapter
9:
33.
How does Chillingsworth make a place for himself in Boston society? Why
are we
as readers suspicious of his professional and social motivations? Why
does this
suspicion seem to be absent from the narrator's tone?
He
is a doctor and is helping
Dimmesdale get better. We as readers are suspicious of his
professional
and
social motivations because we know that he is Hester’s husband.
Suspicion seems
to be absent from the narrator’s tone because he isn’t trying to
influence
us
in a bad way.
36.
What biblical stories are portrayed in the decorations
of Dimmesdale's room?
What themes or issues are suggested by these stories?
The
decorations shown
in Dimmesdale's room are King David, Bathseba, and Nathan the Prophet.
Bathseba was seduced by King David. Then, Nathan went to
kill David
for his sin of adultery. This is important because Dimmesdale
committed the
same sin that David and Bathseba committed. These things
remind him every
day of the sin he committed. These are almost like a scarlet letter
for him.
Chapter
10:
40.
Summarize the disagreement between Chillingsworth and Dimmesdale over the
confession of sin. What are the points of view offered by each man?
Why does
Dimmesdale leave the room? What is the larger significance of this conversation?
Chillingsworth
thinks that a nasty plant growing out of a grave is
from
sins that weren’t confessed.
Dimmesdale
thinks that the only time you need
to confess your sins is on judgment day to God. He thinks that no one needs
to know your business, but Chillingsworth thinks the opposite. He
thinks that
you should tell people about the things you have done wrong.
Dimmesdale leaves
the room because he knows he is one of those people that will keep
his sin
a secret and feels guilty. The larger significance of this conversation is
that each
of them is talking about the same thing.
42.
What important discovery does Chillingsworth make while Dimmesdale is sleeping?
How does the narrator describe Chillingsworth?
He
realizes why Dimmesdale
holds his hands over his chest all of the time. The narrator describes
Chillingsworth with a bit of joy and a little horror. He is
joyful because
he finally found the person who committed adultery with Hester,
but
kind
of horrified because he’s hurt and surprised that it is the
minister.
Chapter
11:
44.
How does Dimmesdale's suffering affect his work as a clergyman? What
is the
public reaction when Dimmesdale's "confesses" his sinfulness from
the pulpit?
Describe and analyze the narrator's tone toward
Dimmesdale as he describes
this confession.
He
felt like a hypocrite. Him confessing just made
them
think he was an even better person. He didn’t even really confess
though he
just said that he wasn’t as good as everyone thought and that he sinned
too.
The
narrator's tone is basically straight forward and tells things like it
is.
Chapter
12:
46.
Why does Dimmesdale go to stand on the scaffold?
He
feels guilty for his sin.
Hester has already done her time on the scaffold and now he is doing
his. The only thing is though
that
his
isn’t half as bad as hers was because he doesn’t
have people staring and judging him like she did.
49.
What question does Pearl ask Dimmesdale? What is his answer? Why is
this interaction
significant?
She
asks him if he will stand there tomorrow at noon
with
her and Hester. He says he won’t tomorrow,
but he will on judgment day. This interaction is
significant because Dimmesdale knows why he's there and I think
Pearl has a little understanding of what is going on. On judgment day,
all three
of them will stand there as a family and will have to
face guilt and humiliation
together.
50.
What "sign" appears in the sky? How is it described?
What two interpretations
are offered by which characters?
The
meteor was described as a
bow, a sword, or the letter "A" that meant for angel or adulterer to
others
.
Chapter
13:
53.
How has Hester's position in the community changed? How is this linked
to any
change in the townspeople's perception of the scarlet letter's
symbolism? Explain
the narrator's comment that "scarlet letter had not done
its office."
Hester’s
position
in the community has changed because she helps people. She
helps
the poor and the sickly. This changes the townspeople’s perception of
the scarlet
letter because the “A” no longer stands for adultery in their eyes.
The “A”
now stands for able to them.
The scarlet letter did not do its office because
it was supposed to embarrass her, but it ended up coming to
mean something
else that caused no embarrassment to her.
54.
Describe the changes in Hester's appearance
and temperament that
have come
as a result of wearing the scarlet letter. Include an explanation of
how her
view on womanhood has changed.
She
cut her hair. Now she is starting to act
like a real puritan woman should.
Chapter
14:
56.
Chillingsworth tells Hester that Dimmesdale is becoming
aware of what Chillingsworth
is doing and is starting to not want Chillingsworth near him. Of course,
Chillingsworth finds this troubling because he wants to continue to torture
Dimmesdale.
Chillingsworth
tells Hester that Dimmesdale is becoming aware
of what Chillingsworth is doing and is starting to not want
Chillingsworth near him. Of course, Chillingsworth finds this troubling because he wants
to continue
to torture Dimmesdale.
Chapter
15:
59.
Explain Hester’s statement, “If this be the price of the child’s
sympathy,
I
cannot
pay it.” Later, in chapter 16,
what does the narrator say Pearl needs
in order
to “make her capable of sympathy”?
She
says this because Pearl is always
asking
about the scarlet letter. She says she isn’t going to
tell Pearl about it
because
she is too young to know about it. The narrator says she needs
grief before
she can go ahead and tell her.
Chapter
16:
60.
Why hasn’t Hester ever visited Dimmesdale in
his study? What
does Hester’s
desired
meeting place suggest about the nature of their
relationship?
She
doesn’t
ever meet him in his study because suspicion would arise, plus
their
relationship
is more natural than that. There was nothing formal
about their relationship.
It also is dark with sin, so they meet in a dark place.
63.
What questions does Pearl repeat throughout
chapters 15 and 16? What do these
questions suggest about Pearl and about her relationship
with her mother?
Why
does Dimmesdale grab his chest? What does the scarlet letter mean? You can
tell from this that Pearl is defiant and that she is
eventually going to get her
way.
Chapter
17:
67.
Why does Hester reveal the truth of Chillingsworth's identity? How
does Dimmesdale
react? What is your reaction to his reaction?
Hester
felt like she needed
to tell him before Chillingsworth could do any more damage.
Dimmesdale at
first is mad, but he eventually gets over it. I was kind of upset that he
got
mad.
She was keeping his secret and someone else’s. If she would’ve
told
someone
the secret she was keeping for him he would
’ve
gotten mad so I don’t
really
understand how he could get mad and blame everything on her.
Chapter
18: 69.
In
the second paragraph of chapter 18, the narrator uses the phrase “amoral
wilderness.” What is this
intended to describe?
This
is intended to
describe
Hester’s character.
70.
How does
“Nature” react when Hester
removes the Scarlet Letter?
What is
the significance of this in light of Pearl’s statement
in chapter 16 that “the sunshine
does not love” Hester? What thematic message is solidified
in this moment?
(You might consider the statement in this same paragraph
that
“Love…must always create a sunshine.”)
Nature
was happy with her. It changed its
attitude towards her. The significance of this statement is that
the sunshine
was like happiness. No matter how much she ran after it, it
would
always
run from her. Once she took off the “A,” which represents the
burden
of
her sin, the sun, or happiness, ran to
her.
Chapter 19:
71.
Why is Pearl unable to share her mother’s joy over the Scarlet Letter’s
removal? Why
does she insist that Hester
put the Scarlet Letter on again? Why
does she reject Dimmesdale’s kiss?
Pearl
is unable to share her mother’s joy
over the
Scarlet Letter’s removal because if she tries to forget her sin by taking
of
the
letter, then she might try to forget her sin by getting
rid of Pearl too. Also,
she
isn’t used to seeing her mother without it. She rejects Dimmesdale’s
kiss because
he won’t be with them in public.
Chapter 20:
73.
What four temptations does Dimmesdale face
on his way home? What does Dimmesdale
assume is the source of these temptations? What
alternate explanation
does the narrator offer? What further explanations
for
Dimmesdale’s “temptation” might be apparent
to a modern reader?
His temptations are
having a conversation with the Deacon in his church,
the words
that the woman spoke into Dimmesdale's ear, to have sex with a
young girl,
and that he wanted to teach bad words
to young children. He already thinks
he is a bad person so now he just thinks he should act like
one.
74. What does Mistress Hibbins
perceive when she meets Dimmesdale? When
contrasted against Hester’s meeting with Mistress Hibbins at the
end of chapter 8, how does Dimmesdale’s response
to her further our understanding of
the contrast between the two lovers?
She
thinks that Dimmesdale was with her
master, the Devil. At the end of chapter 8 she asks
Hester if she wants to
sign
the Devil’s book. Hester says that she would if it we
re
not for Pearl.
Chapter 21:
76. To what degree and for what reason is Hester isolated
from Puritan
community during the Holiday? How
does Pearl act as a foil to
Hester’s
condition
in this scene? According to the
narrator, how is this
apparent contrast
the result of an underlying connection
between mother and daughter?
Hester
is very isolated from the scene. Pearl acts as a foil to Hester
because Hester
is very stressed out about leaving. This means that Pearl is happy
and calm.
They never seem to be feeling the same thing.
78. What bad news does Hester receive from the ship’s
captain? How might this
news suggest an impending tragedy to the
reader?
She
finds out that Chillingsworth
is also going to England with them. This suggests an impending tragedy to the
reader because there is going to be a conflict and something
bad is
going to happen.
Chapter 22:
80. How has Dimmesdale’s
appearance
changed? In what way does he appear separate
from the crowd and how does this affect
Hester? How does this
also foreshadow
a possible tragedy?
Dimmesdale
seems to be better now. He isn’t
really
acting like himself and that scares Hester
because
she doesn’t know if it
is
a good idea that they go to England together anymore. This also
foreshadows a
possible tragedy because Chillingsworth is going to take Dimmesdale to the boat.
Chapter 23:
83. How does Hawthorne further develop the symbolic
importance of the
scaffold during Dimmesdale’s sermon?
He
has a mark on his chest just like Hester
does. This connects them on a different level.
85.
Describe and analyze the significance of each of the main
characters’ reactions
to Dimmesdale’s confession. Ho
w
is each one changed by his confession?
Pearl
finally got what she wanted and she rewards him by bestowing a kiss on him.
Dimmesdale is relieved that he finally got his sin off of his chest. Chillingsworth
is upset because he can no longer torture Dimmesdale. Hester
is happy
that he finally got rid of his burden and says that they will spend
their afterlife
together.
86. What are Dimmesdale’s last words? Is there anything
significant about
these
words or the situation in which they are
spoken?
He
says that hopefully God will
be merciful and let them be together in heaven. He says without the
mark
on
his chest or Chillingsworth he would’ve never repented. This is
significant
because
he is saying that those things were almost a blessing.
Chapter 24:
87.
Summarize the concluding chapter in terms of character development
and final
thoughts offered by the narrator.
Chillingsworth
dies. Hester and Pearl move
to Europe. Hester comes back and when she dies she is buried next
to Dimmesdale,
but not really close because they have no right to mingle
even
after
death. They do share a headstone though. It is an “A” with a
black
background.