Literary Devices
“The pine-trees, aged, black and solemn, and flinging groans…”
personification
“Wilt thou stand here with mother and me, tomorrow noontide?”
Pearl
To Hester, Pearl represents a gift with a great price
What is Hester and Dimmesdale's plan to escape Puritan society?
To leave for Europe with Pearl to start a new life.
What is the setting and time in which the Scarlet Letter takes place?
1642 to 1649 in Boston, Massachusetts.
“ …stand there beside thee, on thy pedestal of shame, yet better were it so than to hide a guilty heart through life."
Irony
"With a burning blush, and yet a haughty smile, and a glance that would not be abashed, looked around at her townspeople and neighbors."
Hester
Explain the rose bush.
The rose bush represents beauty and freedom something that is in contrast to Puritan society.
For whom does Hester not make clothes for and why?
People getting married and since they don't want to have someone who committed adultery associated with their wedding
The first places that were established in the newly built Puritan Society.
"...his head to look not a little like that of John the Baptist in a charger.”
Allusion
"I shall feel him tremble. I shall feel myself shudder, suddenly and unawares."
Chillingworth
What does the scaffold represent?
The scaffold represents public shame and punishment.
Which character is hanged for witch allegations?
Mistress Hibbins
Where did Hawthorne work?
“…the partner of her iniquity should not, at least, stand on the scaffold by her side. But he will be known!—he will be known!—he will be known!”
foreshadowing
“I have laughed, in bitterness and agony of heart, at the contrast between what I seem and what I am!”
Dimmesdale
What does the Scarlet Letter represent and what three things has it stood for throughout the story?
The Scarlet Letter is a symbol of shame. And throughout the story, it represents, "Adulter", "Able", and "Angel".
What color is the "A" that Pearl makes?
Green
How and why does Hawthorne change his name?
He changed it so he wouldn't be associated with his Puritan ancestors from the Salem Witch trials. And he changes by adding a "w" to his name.
“...that their blood may fairly be said to have left a stain upon him.”
Metaphor
"It is because of the stain which that letter indicates, that we would transfer thy child to other hands."
Governor Bellingham
How does the town interpret the meteor. How does Dimmesdale, and what does this meteor represent
The town interprets the letter as "Angel" and attributes it to Governor Withrop's passing and his entrance into Heaven. Dimmesdale interprets it as God telling him to atone for his sins. Dimmesdales imagines his guilt is shown across the sky thus the meteor represents guilt
What did the women think of Hester when she was being tried for adultery at the beginning of the book?
The women thought that Hester was not being punished enough.
What point of view is the Scarlet Letter written in?