<p> The Scarlet Letter Chapter Questions</p><p>Chapter 1: The Prison Door 1. What flower does Hawthorne use to contrast the somberness of the first scene?</p><p>2. What were the two first necessities for the Puritan colonists? Why were these things important?</p><p>Passage Journal: What do you think of the idea that the Puritan’s considered this “New World” a Utopia?</p><p>Chapter 2: The Market Place 1. Describe the crowd’s attitude toward Hester. What reason do they have for being this way?</p><p>2. Search in the chapter for the term “heterodox.” What do you think this word means and what makes Hester a heterodox?</p><p>3. Why could the minister be distressed, according to one woman?</p><p>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?</p><p>Chapter 3: The Recognition 1. What are the two punishments that Hester has been given and how does the stranger react to these punishments?</p><p>2. What personal characteristic is John Wilson ashamed of?</p><p>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?</p><p>Chapter 4: The Interview 1. What does Chillingworth say will be a greater punishment for Hester than death?</p><p>2. Why does Chillingworth tell Hester that between them the scale hangs balanced?</p><p>3. Explain the pact made between Chillingworth and Hetster. What secretes will each keep?</p><p>Passage Journal: Who is Roger Chillingworth? What role does he play in Hester’s life? In the novel’s plot?</p><p>Chapter 5: Hester at Her Needle 1. What are three reasons why Hester remains in Boston after she is released?</p><p>2. What one thing is Hester never asked to sew or embroider? Why do you think this is?</p><p>3. What new ability (seemingly a super-power) does the scarlet letter give Hester?</p><p>Passage Journal: Describe Hester’s changing relationship with society. Was this expected from the onset? What does this relationship mean for Hester?</p><p>Chapter 6: Pearl 1. Why is the child named Pearl?</p><p>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? </p><p>Passage Journal: What is the difference between the townspeople’s treatment of Hester’s sin and God’s treatment?</p><p>Chapter 7: The Governor’s Hall 1. What are two reasons does Hester have for going to the Governor’s mansion?</p><p>2. This chapter presents a second conflict with Hester and the establishment. What is this new conflict? </p><p>Passage Journal: In what way is Pearl Hester’s torture and comfort in life?</p><p>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.</p><p>2. Mistress Hibbins asks Hester to join her in the woods. What is she asking of Hester? Explain Hester’s reaction.</p><p>3. How does Chillingworth say the identity of Pearl’s father can be determined? What is Mr. Wilson’s reaction to this idea?</p><p>Passage Journal: Dynamic characters are often influenced by outside forces. Choose one dynamic character and explore the force which inspires the character’s change. </p><p>Chapter 9: The Leech 1. What is symbolic about the leech?</p><p>2. Describe the relationship between Dimmesdale and Chillingworth. 3. What symbolic force do the people who dislike Dimmesdale associate with him?</p><p>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?</p><p>Chapter 10: The Leech and his Patient 1. What does Dimmesdale offer to explain the refusal of some people to reveal secret sins?</p><p>2. What does Pearl throw at Dimmesdale and how is this symbolic?</p><p>3. What does Chillingworth think is causing Dimmesdale’s weakness?</p><p>Passage Journal: What do you think Chillingworth sees when he secretly enters the minister’s room? What impact will this have?</p><p>Chapter 11: The Interior of the Heart 1. On what subject does Dimmesdale usually preach? Why do these sermons cause him further anguish?</p><p>3. Name two ways in which Dimmesdale punishes himself.</p><p>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.</p><p>2. What phenomenon occurs and what are the two interpretations of this incident (Dimmesdale vs. the sexton)</p><p>Passage Journal: Who does Hawthorne feel has committed the greater crime- Hester’s adultery, Dimmesdale’s concealment, or Chillingworth’s meddling?</p><p>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?</p><p>3. What do you learn about Hester’s character in this chapter?</p><p>Passage Journal: …</p><p>Chapter 14: Hester and the Physician 1. What has been discussed about Hester in the council? What is Hester’s reaction to this? </p><p>2. What has caused Chillingworth’s change in his character?</p><p>Passage Journal: Why won’t Chillingworth abandon his revenge? </p><p>Chapter 15: Hester and Pearl 1. Why is Chillingworth gathering Herbs?</p><p>2. What revealing gesture has Pearl associated with her mother’s wearing the scarlet letter?</p><p>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?</p><p>2. List five signs of the minister’s increasing frailty</p><p>Passage Journal: How is Pearl’s life is like the current of a brook?</p><p>Chapter 17: The Pastor and his Parishioner 1. How does Dimmesdale describe his state of being?</p><p>2. How does Dimmesdale react to Hester’s hope and energy?</p><p>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?</p><p>Chapter 18: A Flood of Sunshine 1. What is Hester’s attitude toward the past and how does she demonstrate this?</p><p>2. How does Pearl view the forest?</p><p>Passage Journal: Explain Hawthorne’s romantic view of nature in this chapter. Connect to transcendental principles learned in class.</p><p>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?</p><p>2. What does the brook symbolize?</p><p>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?</p><p>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?</p><p>2. What does Dimmesdale do with the Election Day sermon that he has already written?</p><p>Passage Journal: What could Dimmesdale do to help heal himself? CAN he be healed?</p><p>Chapter 21: The New England Holiday 1. How do Hester and Pearl dress for the holiday? What about their appearance changes?</p><p>2. How does the ship captain’s news affect Hester?</p><p>Passage Journal: According to Hawthorne, what affect did Puritanism have on America?</p><p>Chapter 22: The Procession 1. What traits does Hawthorne assign to the Puritan leaders?</p><p>2. What force seems to motivate Dimmesdale?</p><p>3. What does Mistress Hibbins disclose to Hester?</p><p>4. How do the Indian’s interpret Hester’s letter? Passage Journal: What stigma do Hester and Dimmesdale share?</p><p>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?</p><p>2. Why does Chillingworth try to stop Dimmesdale from revealing his sin?</p><p>Passage Journal: What is the difference between Hester’s view for atonement for sin and Dimmesdale’s?</p><p>Chapter 24: Conclusion 1. What is Roger Chillingworth’s fate? Where does all his money go when he dies?</p><p>2. What do you think happens to Pearl? </p><p>3. What object unites Dimmesdale and Hester in death?</p><p>Passage Journal: What does Hawthorne consider the most important lesson to be learned from this novel?</p>