Characters
Talented seamstress, single mother, endures years of disgrace and humiliation
Hester Prynne
Who is the author?
Nathaniel Hawthorne
It actually makes them better; more powerful; people can emotionally connect
How many tickets does Hester buy for the ship?
Three (Her, Pearl, and Dimmesdale)
Asks provoking questions; illegitimate child; mischievous and wild
Pearl
What is the religion of the people of Boston?
Puritan
Who thinks Hester's punishments are too weak?
The elder women
What is Dimmesdale's intention as he climbs the scaffold in chapter 12.
To reveal his secret sin.
How does Dimmesdale look in the procession.
He looks out of reach; disconnected; Hester is worried that he's changed his mind
Minister; haunted by guilt; intelligent, emotional, morally weak
Arthur Dimmesdale
What is the setting (time and place) of the novel?
Boston, 1650
Why do some people believe Pearl should be taken away from Hester?
Pearl is seen as a devil child; she throws wild tantrums; and has a mysterious sense about her
Name three ways Dimmesdale tortures himself.
whip, fasting, all night vigils
Who are the four people "intimately connected" on the scaffold?
Dimmesdale, Hester, Pearl, and Chillingworth
Doctor; bitter, revengeful
Roger Chillingworth
Where is Hester originally from?
Old England
Chapter 10 is titled, "The Leech and his Patient," Who is the leech? and Who is the patient?
Chillingworth is the leech. Dimmesdale is the patient.
When Pearl asks her mother is she's ever met the Black Man, how does Hester finally reply?
Yes, she'd met the Black Man once, and the A was his mark.
What spell was broken when Pearl kisses Dimmesdale?
Pearl will no longer be a devil child, but a human capable of love
“Witch-lady”; governor's sister
Mistress Hibbins
How did the Puritans view the wilderness?
Dangerous or evil
Finish the analogy:
The Scarlet Letter: Guilt :: Pearl : _____________
Torture
Explain:
"I have acted a false part by the only man to whom the power was left to me to be true."
Hester is telling Chillingworth that she has lied to Dimmesdale - and Dimmesdale was the only man she'd ever loved - therefore, Hester wants to tell him the truth and her and Chillingworth.
How does Dimmesdale die?
He has died from the inner turmoil and guilt of a hidden sin.