Character Actions
What does Dimmesdale do at night in chap 12
He stands on the same scaffold that Hester had to in the beginning of the story
what does the meteor symbolize to the townspeople in chap 12
they think it represents an angel in honor of governor Winthrop's death
who says "wilt thou stand here with mother and me, tomorrow noontide?"(chap 12 pg 104-105)
pearl
what is represented by dimmesdales self punishment
guilt
where does dimmesdale go in the middle of the night in chap 12
to the scaffold
who does dimmesdale call out to when he's on the scaffold at night
hester and pearl
what does the letter "A" represent for dimmesdale
it symbolizes his own guilt and his connection to Hester
who "has kept vigils,likewise,night after night, sometimes in utter darkness"(chap 11 pg 96)
dimmesdale
what tone is created by the night scene on the scaffold
isolation and suffering
what major event happens the same night as the scaffold
governer Winthrop passes away
what does dimmesdale secretly begin to do to himself in chapter 11
harm himself physically and mentally
how is the light of the meteor used symbolically at night on the scaffold in chap 12
the darkness represents dimmesdales sin and the light represents him coming clean
who does dimmesdale encounter during his nighttime vigil on the scaffold in chap 12 pg 104
hester and pearl
how does private versus public guilt play out in chap 12
dimmesdale has private guilt and cant confess where as Hester was publicly shamed. it plays out where dimmesdale is slowly deteriorating because he wont come out with it but hester already went through the punishment
what does Hester decide to do at the end of chap 12
help dimmesdale by confronting chillingworth
what does pearl ask dimmesdale to do in chap 12
to stand with her and Hester on the scaffold the next day at noon
how is pearl a symbol in these chapters
who is watching dimmesdale from the shadows in chap 12
chillingworth
what theme does the meteor in chap 12 represent
conflict of built up sin, and the light after represents the confession of it
why does dimmesdale not publicly confess his sin during his midnight vigil
he's afraid of losing his status and impression on the townspeople
what does dimmesdale see in the sky while on the scaffold in chap 12
he sees a meteor that looks like the letter "A"
what does the scaffold symbolize in these chapters
it represents public shame but also for the chance of confession
what was happening when pearl grabbed dimmesdales hand and was asking him something in chap 12
she's trying to get dimmesdale to publicly admit what he did and announce that he's her father
how is the theme of redemption shown in these chapters
its shown when dimmesdale struggles with sin and that redemption requires it to be publicly acknowledged
what is chilliingworths reaction to finding dimmesdale on the scaffold
he is silent and continues to torment dimmesdale