Characters
This wild child serves as a living reminder of Hester’s sin and often questions authority.
Pearl
Where does the story take place?
Boston,Massachusetts
Hawthorne’s depiction of the forest as a place of freedom and moral ambiguity illustrates this device.
Imagery
“I have done a terrible thing, but it has made me who I am.” (Chapter 11)
Dimmesdale to Hester
This character dies in the aftermath of a public confession, symbolizing the heavy burden of hidden sin.
Dimmesdale
This character, consumed by revenge, eventually becomes more a "fiend" than a man, paralleling the physical decline of the person they seek vengeance on.
Roger Chillingworth
What is Hester’s punishment for committing adultery?
Wearing the scarlet letter and standing on the scaffold for public humiliation
The scarlet letter evolves throughout the novel, serving as a complex symbol of sin, shame, and identity. This exemplifies what literary concept?
Symbolism
“Thou must not hide thy face, for it is not a thing to be ashamed of.” (Chapter 18)
Hester to Dimmesdale
In Chapter 24, the narrator reflects on the fate of this character, suggesting she has the potential for redemption despite her origins.
Pearl
Which character serves as a symbol of the strict Puritanical society that condemns Hester?
Townspeople
This pivotal event occurs when Hester is publicly shamed on the scaffold, marking the beginning of her journey.
Punishment for Adultery
The audience's ignorance of Dimmesdale’s guilt while he preaches reflects this rhetorical device.
Dramatic Irony
“The child will not be thine.” (Chapter 4)
Chillingworth to Dimmesdale
Dimmesdale's public revelation leads to this character's loss of purpose and eventual demise, marking the tragic consequences of obsession.
Chillingworth
This character’s only family member is a child whose existence embodies the consequences of her sin.
Hester
In what chapter does Hester first remove the scarlet letter?
Chapter 18
The contrasting fates of Hester and Dimmesdale illustrate this literary device, showcasing the complexities of their moral choices
Juxtaposition
“I have no patience for your penitence.” (Chapter 14)
Chillingworth to Dimmesdale
This character’s legacy is discussed in the concluding chapter, emphasizing the societal perceptions of sin and the possibility of atonement.
Hester
This character represents the hypocrisy of Puritan society, often embodying the moral standards they impose on others while concealing his own sins.
Governor Bellingham
Hester and Dimmesdale plan to escape the town together, but their plans are ruined by this event.
Dimmesdale’s public confession and death
Hawthorne employs this device to create tension between the public and private selves of his characters, especially in Dimmesdale’s internal struggles.
Paradox
“I am a part of you, just as you are a part of me.”(Chapter 23)
Hester to Dimmesdale
The final chapter hints at the complexities of sin, implying that both Hester and Dimmesdale will face this fate in the afterlife.
Punishment or Judgement