2. Why Is Hester in Trouble at the Beginning?

Chapter 7

1. At the beginning of the chapter, what do we find out that Hester does for Governor Bellingham?

2. Why is Hester in trouble at the beginning?

3. What are the two arguments for taking Pearl away?

4. Describe Pearl's behavior in this chapter.

5. Describe what Pearl looks like and what she wears. What does Hawthorne compare her to?

6. What does Pearl do to the watching children?

7. Describe the walls of Governor Bellingham's house.

8. " 'Mother,' cried she, 'I see you here. Look! Look!' "

What does Pearl see? What does this say about how Pearl views her mother?

9. The rose bush comes back into the book near the end of this chapter. What is Pearl's reaction and Hester's response?

Think about this rose bush and what it symbolizes. Be aware of the symbolism as we read on!

Chapter 8

1. Who is coming along with Governor Bellingham?

2. What do these men do to Pearl? What is their purpose upon first encountering Hester at this point?

3. What do they think of Pearl's attire? Why do you suppose they react this way? Keep in mind that the Puritans believed in being as Christ-like as possible, which would mean being as humble as possible.

4. What is Pearl's response to "Canst thou tell me, my child, who made thee?" Why does she respond like this?

5. "You speak, my friend, with a strange earnestness."

Explain this quote. What's going on before Chillingworth says this? What does he mean?

6. Here's another quote:

"Would it be beyond a philosopher's research, think ye, gentlemen, to analyze that child's nature, and, from its make and mould, to give a shrewd guess at the father?"

Explain what is happening just before this quote and what is meant here.

7. We meet a new character toward the end of this chapter. Who is she and how is she related to another character? What does she ask of Hester?