The Characters
This character believes revenge is a dish best served in multiple courses and over a period of years; he was once wise and learned but has transformed into an evil creature
Who is Roger Chillingworth?
Hester's punishment was to wear the scarlet letter, sit in prison for a while, and do this
What was to stand on the scaffold for three hours?
When Hester, Pearl, and Dimmesdale stand on the scaffold, this appears in the midnight sky and makes the letter A
What is a meteor?
"[T]he child finally announced [to Rev. Wilson] that she had not been made at all, but had been plucked by her mother off the bush of wild roses, that grew by the prison door." (2)
Who are Pearl and Hester?
It's too bad he didn't follow the Hippocratic oath; this was the profession of Roger Chillingworth
What was a physician (or doctor)?
This character enjoys creating the letter A out of eelgrass, pelting things with rocks, and wearing the best dresses in town
Who is Pearl Prynne?
Hester has two secrets: one is that she and Dimmesdale had a baby; this is the other
What is her marriage to Chillingworth?
This is embellished with gold thread and is the key symbol of the book Hester always keeps with her
What is the scarlet letter (or scarlet A)?
"The three of them formed an electric chain." (3)
Who are Hester, Pearl, and Dimmesdale?
Perhaps the townspeople knew something: they referred to Pearl as this
What was a demon offspring?
This character needs some divine intervention; he holds a deep secret, but the more he struggles, the more the ladies in town swoon over him
Who is Arthur Dimmesdale?
Besties--NOT! Dimmesdale begins faltering in his health primarily due to the influence of this character
Who is Chillingworth?
This sits outside the prison as a symbol of freedom; Pearl wants something from it when she and Hester visit the Governor's mansion
What is a wild rose bush?
"We have wronged each other . . . Mine was the first wrong, when I betrayed thy budding youth into a false and unnatural relation with my decay." (2)
Who are Hester and Chillingworth?
This religious group forms the basis of life in the town where The Scarlet Letter takes place
What is Puritanism?
This character spends time in prison and is lucky not to be killed by the end of Chapter 3; they have to wear a special symbol to signify their sin
Who is Hester Prynne?
Pearl constantly asks her mother why she wears the scarlet letter; Hester finally gives in and says the reason is this
What is the gold thread?
This is the physical embodiment of Hester's sin
Who is Pearl?
"I, your pastor, whom you so reverence and trust, am utterly a pollution and a lie!" (1)
Who is Dimmesdale?
There wasn't betrayal here: after Dimmesdale convinces Governor Bellingham to allow Hester to keep Pearl, she comes up to him, where he does this
What is that he kisses her on the forehead?
This character, the leader of the community, likes Hester's embroidery skills yet attempts to take Pearl away from her
Who is Governor Bellingham?
White is not her color: Hester is allowed to create fabulous articles of clothing--but not these
What are bridal veils and gowns?
In Dimmesdale's study, there are tapestries featuring these three Biblical characters; perhaps he understands the symbolism of each . . .
Who are David, Bathsheba, and Nathan the prophet?
"The little baggage hath witchcraft in her, I profess." (2)
Who are Pearl and Reverend Wilson?
According to the book, the basis for the story was due to this individual finding a scarlet A at his workplace 200 years later
Who is the narrator?