Hester is the maternal figure to the society she lives in even though she is isolated, How could this be?
Hester cares for the poor and is a mother figure for the women in her community because she takes her identity into her own hands.
100
Other then the devil, who is the Black Man supposed to represent? And who is he associated with?
He is supposed to represent Nature of evil.
He is associated with Dimmesdale, Chillingworth, Mistress Hibbins, and Pearl.
100
Although Hester's scarlet letter is a symbol for sin what else could or stand for?
Skill, charity, and grace.
100
"Never! It is to deeply branded. Ye cannot take it off. And would that I might endure his agony, as well as mine!"
Chapter 3
Hester
100
Who does Chillingworth leave his money too?
Pearl
200
Explain why Dimmesdale does not want to be seen with Hester and Pearl in the daytime around the town until the end of the book.
He has to keep his secret about what he has done because he is loved and respected by the community. He tells people not to sin yet he is not telling of his.
200
Identity is another theme in the Scarlet Letter, explain how Hester choses her own identity.
One Example: When Chilllingworth tells her the prominent men in the community are talking about letting her take the "A" off she acts in disbelief. She doesn't think about taking it off even though she knows it brings her shame.
She refigures the "A" giving it a new meaning
200
When the meteor shows the glowing "A" in the sky what are the two interpretations of it and who are they made by?
Dimmesdale: his own sin that he has not confessed
The Townspeople: Angle, because Governor Bellingham had just died.
200
"Recognize me not, by word, by sign, by look! Breathe not the secret above all, to the man thou wettest of."
Chapter 4
Roger Chillingworth
200
What is the conflict of the story?
Hester being shamed and Roger swearing he will find out who the father of Pearl is.
300
Explain why Hawthorne uses the name he does for Chillingworth.
He is deficient in human warmth. He is represented by evil, deformed on the outside as well as in his soul.
300
Why and who does Roger Chillingworth want revenge on?
Dimmesdale.
Roger finds out he is who had the affair with Hester and Roger is vengeful towards Dimmesdale.
300
What does Pearl represent to Hester and the townspeople?
Hester: her own sin and what a great price she paid
Townspeople: the devil child
300
"Had they taken her from me, I would have gone with thee into the forest, and signed my name in the Black Man's book too, and that with mine own blood."
Chapter 8
Hester
300
How does Chillingworth find out Dimmesdale is the father?
He goes sneaking around Dimmesdale's room while he sleeps and then rips his shirt open and sees something on his chest.
400
Why does Pearl ask Dimmesdale, Hester, and the other adults questions that most young colder would not ask?
She is supposed to draw out the truth. She is the living symbol of what her mother has done and she wants to know the truth about it.
400
Why is Dimmesdale a symbol of the theme hypocrisy?
He is a reverend and he tells his congregation that they should not sin or lie and yet he committed a sin and failed to tell everyone about it.
400
Why do the Puritans associate the devil and the forest together?
The forest is the unknown for them and they make the unknown the supernatural.
400
"Wilt thou stand here with mother and me, tomorrow noontide?"
Chapter 12
Pearl
400
When Hester and Dimmesdale decide to leave, where do they decide to go? Why?
England
To start there life over together.
500
What does the appearance of Mistress Hibbins represent in the Puritan society?
Hypocrisy and hidden evil.
500
Is Dimmesdale's refusal to publicly declare himself to be Pearl's father a result of free will or fate? Explain.
Free will because he struggles with the decision throughout the story.
500
What does the eagle above the Custom House symbolize?
The attitude of the Puritans, who are unwelcoming and would punish or shame you if you do something they do not like.
500
"Come, Hester, come! Support me up yonder scaffold!"
Chapter 23
Dimmesdale
500
After the Election Sermon what does Dimmesdale do?
Calls Hester and Pearl to stand up on the scaffold with him. Then he confesses his sin to the town and shows the mark on his chest.