The Scarlet Letter s1

The Scarlet Letter Chapter Questions

Chapter 1: The Prison Door 1. What flower does Hawthorne use to contrast the somberness of the first scene?

2. What were the two first necessities for the Puritan colonists? Why were these things important?

Passage Journal: What do you think of the idea that the Puritan’s considered this “New World” a Utopia?

Chapter 2: The Market Place 1. Describe the crowd’s attitude toward Hester. What reason do they have for being this way?

2. Search in the chapter for the term “heterodox.” What do you think this word means and what makes Hester a heterodox?

3. Why could the minister be distressed, according to one woman?

Passage Journal: Hester’s life before she came to America plays a role in her current situation. How does a person’s past behavior help illustrate their destiny?

Chapter 3: The Recognition 1. What are the two punishments that Hester has been given and how does the stranger react to these punishments?

2. What personal characteristic is John Wilson ashamed of?

3. Why does Rev. Dimmesdale think Hester’s punishment is easier on her then on her fellow sinner? Passage Journal: Find the example of foreshadowing in this chapter. What is Hawthorne trying to tell the reader about the scarlet letter’s fate?

Chapter 4: The Interview 1. What does Chillingworth say will be a greater punishment for Hester than death?

2. Why does Chillingworth tell Hester that between them the scale hangs balanced?

3. Explain the pact made between Chillingworth and Hetster. What secretes will each keep?

Passage Journal: Who is Roger Chillingworth? What role does he play in Hester’s life? In the novel’s plot?

Chapter 5: Hester at Her Needle 1. What are three reasons why Hester remains in Boston after she is released?

2. What one thing is Hester never asked to sew or embroider? Why do you think this is?

3. What new ability (seemingly a super-power) does the scarlet letter give Hester?

Passage Journal: Describe Hester’s changing relationship with society. Was this expected from the onset? What does this relationship mean for Hester?

Chapter 6: Pearl 1. Why is the child named Pearl?

2. Describe Pearl. What is her disposition? How is she treated among her peers? Why? 3. What is Hester afraid she, and others will be able to see in her child?

Passage Journal: What is the difference between the townspeople’s treatment of Hester’s sin and God’s treatment?

Chapter 7: The Governor’s Hall 1. What are two reasons does Hester have for going to the Governor’s mansion?

2. This chapter presents a second conflict with Hester and the establishment. What is this new conflict?

Passage Journal: In what way is Pearl Hester’s torture and comfort in life?

Chapter 8: The Elf-child and the Minister 1. How are both Dimmesdale and Chillingworth different at this point in the novel than in the beginning of the novel? Consider physical and emotional traits.

2. Mistress Hibbins asks Hester to join her in the woods. What is she asking of Hester? Explain Hester’s reaction.

3. How does Chillingworth say the identity of Pearl’s father can be determined? What is Mr. Wilson’s reaction to this idea?

Passage Journal: Dynamic characters are often influenced by outside forces. Choose one dynamic character and explore the force which inspires the character’s change.

Chapter 9: The Leech 1. What is symbolic about the leech?

2. Describe the relationship between Dimmesdale and Chillingworth. 3. What symbolic force do the people who dislike Dimmesdale associate with him?

Passage Journal: Hawthorne’s personality and personal agenda for writing this novel are presented strongly in this chapter. What do you think Hawthorne is trying to say by examining character judgments?

Chapter 10: The Leech and his Patient 1. What does Dimmesdale offer to explain the refusal of some people to reveal secret sins?

2. What does Pearl throw at Dimmesdale and how is this symbolic?

3. What does Chillingworth think is causing Dimmesdale’s weakness?

Passage Journal: What do you think Chillingworth sees when he secretly enters the minister’s room? What impact will this have?

Chapter 11: The Interior of the Heart 1. On what subject does Dimmesdale usually preach? Why do these sermons cause him further anguish?

3. Name two ways in which Dimmesdale punishes himself.

Passage Journal: Why is Dimmesdale more popular than the older and wiser ministers? What do others see in him that he does not see in himself? Chapter 12: The Minister’s Vigil 1. Briefly summarize the actions that take place in this chapter.

2. What phenomenon occurs and what are the two interpretations of this incident (Dimmesdale vs. the sexton)

Passage Journal: Who does Hawthorne feel has committed the greater crime- Hester’s adultery, Dimmesdale’s concealment, or Chillingworth’s meddling?

Chapter 13: Another view of Hester 1. As a result of Hester’s good works, what has the letter “A” come to mean by many people?

3. What do you learn about Hester’s character in this chapter?

Passage Journal: …

Chapter 14: Hester and the Physician 1. What has been discussed about Hester in the council? What is Hester’s reaction to this?

2. What has caused Chillingworth’s change in his character?

Passage Journal: Why won’t Chillingworth abandon his revenge?

Chapter 15: Hester and Pearl 1. Why is Chillingworth gathering Herbs?

2. What revealing gesture has Pearl associated with her mother’s wearing the scarlet letter?

Passage Journal: Examine Pearl’s response to the meaning of the letter A on Hester’s chest. Is her answer insightful? Is it courageous? Is it a guess? What does this answer reveal about Pearl? About Hester? Chapter 16: A Forest Walk 1. Who does Pearl mistake for the black man? What is the importance of this mistake?

2. List five signs of the minister’s increasing frailty

Passage Journal: How is Pearl’s life is like the current of a brook?

Chapter 17: The Pastor and his Parishioner 1. How does Dimmesdale describe his state of being?

2. How does Dimmesdale react to Hester’s hope and energy?

Passage Journal: Like other characters in literature, Hester’s ideal world seems just out of reach but it is within their grasp. In your opinion, can Hester get her happily ever after? Why/why not?

Chapter 18: A Flood of Sunshine 1. What is Hester’s attitude toward the past and how does she demonstrate this?

2. How does Pearl view the forest?

Passage Journal: Explain Hawthorne’s romantic view of nature in this chapter. Connect to transcendental principles learned in class.

Chapter 19: The Child at Brookside 1. Why does Pearl refuse to come to her mother? What does this show about Hester’s attitude toward the past?

2. What does the brook symbolize?

3. Why does Pearl reject Dimmesdale? Passage Journal: Speculate on Hester’s escape plan. Why is it necessary for them to escape and what obstacles will she encounter?

Chapter: 20 The Minister in a Maze 1. What do the incidents that happen to the minister on his return into town tell him about his dream of happiness?

2. What does Dimmesdale do with the Election Day sermon that he has already written?

Passage Journal: What could Dimmesdale do to help heal himself? CAN he be healed?

Chapter 21: The New England Holiday 1. How do Hester and Pearl dress for the holiday? What about their appearance changes?

2. How does the ship captain’s news affect Hester?

Passage Journal: According to Hawthorne, what affect did Puritanism have on America?

Chapter 22: The Procession 1. What traits does Hawthorne assign to the Puritan leaders?

2. What force seems to motivate Dimmesdale?

3. What does Mistress Hibbins disclose to Hester?

4. How do the Indian’s interpret Hester’s letter? Passage Journal: What stigma do Hester and Dimmesdale share?

Chapter 23: The Revelation of the Scarlet Letter 1. What was the subject of Dimmesdale’s sermon? How does the crowd react to his speech?

2. Why does Chillingworth try to stop Dimmesdale from revealing his sin?

Passage Journal: What is the difference between Hester’s view for atonement for sin and Dimmesdale’s?

Chapter 24: Conclusion 1. What is Roger Chillingworth’s fate? Where does all his money go when he dies?

2. What do you think happens to Pearl?

3. What object unites Dimmesdale and Hester in death?

Passage Journal: What does Hawthorne consider the most important lesson to be learned from this novel?