Historical Background
Which major religious figure translated the Bible from Latin into German, making it more available to ordinary people?
Martin Luther
The Puritans believed in a government ruled by religious leaders and religious law called a:
Theocracy
What is the importance of the wild rose-bush that grows near the prison doors?
It represents kindness and determination in the cruel, bleak world Hester lives in.
What does the minister’s outer appearance reveal about his inner struggles?
Dimmesdale is growing sick from the guilt of being dishonest with his community.
Who is the author of both Young Goodman Brown and The Scarlet Letter?
Nathaniel Hawthorne
What invention made the mass production and distribution of the Bible possible?
the printing press
What was the sacred agreement between people and God that was used to establish Puritan communities?
Covenant
Why does the author emphasize that the scarlet letter feels as if it burns when handled?
The burning represents the guilt and shame associated with wearing it.
Pearl is a representation of what neither Hester nor Dimmesdale can escape. What is her purpose in The Scarlet Letter?
Pearl symbolizes the truth that Hester and Dimmesdale cannot escape
How is the person Young Goodman Brown meets in the forest described?
He looks very much like Young Goodman Brown’s grandfather.
The widespread availability of the Bible to the common people of Europe led to. . .
Multiple interpretations of the Bible
What was the Puritan belief that God had already decided who would be saved?
Predestination
What warning does Hester give to Chillingworth in her jail cell?
She warns him not to let his desire for revenge destroy him.
What troubling news does Hester learn on the morning of Election Day just before the ceremony?
Chillingworth will be accompanying Hester, Dimmesdale, and Pearl on the ship they planned to use to flee.
How does Young Goodman Brown react when he hears the voices of the townspeople in the forest?
He is shocked and horrified to discover that people he respected are participating in devil worship.
This period of protest and reform was known as. . .
The Protestant Reformation
Puritans were deeply concerned with:
Concerns about salvation and whether they were among the elect
How does Hester provide for herself and Pearl in the coming years?
She uses her talents as a seamstress to earn a living.
What happens after the minister makes his final public acknowledgment?
He collapses and dies.
How does the experience in the forest change Young Goodman Brown’s view of his community?
He no longer trusts his neighbors, his wife, or his family.
Which group of Protestants settled in the New World and hoped to “purify” the Church of England?
The Puritans
Why was conformity so deeply ingrained in Puritan society?
Failing to adhere to community standards put the entire “flock” at risk of God’s wrath.
What is the significance of Hester being forbidden to sew a bridal veil?
It reflects the belief that Hester is “soiled” and would bring bad luck to young brides.
Which theme is most strongly emphasized by Chillingworth’s emptiness after the confession?
Revenge is an empty purpose and can ultimately destroy the person seeking it.
Which option best explains how Young Goodman Brown functions as an allegory?
The characters, setting, and events represent larger ideas about good, evil, temptation, and the loss of faith.