Scarlet Letter Symbols
This embroidered object initially represents shame but later comes to symbolize strength and identity for Hester.
What is the Scarlet Letter "A"?
The novel opens with this location, symbolizing both punishment and a strict moral code.
What is the prison?
In Ch. 20, Hester and Dimmesdale plan to escape to this location, where they hope to start a new life together.
What is England/Europe?
Paul Revere’s famous midnight ride took place in this year.
What is 1775?
In the race, the terrapin wins by using this clever strategy.
What is setting other terrapins along the ridge to create confusion?
In Ch. 1, this location, described as old and weathered, represents the harshness of Puritan law and the consequences of sin.
What is the prison?
In Chapter 2, Hester refuses to reveal the identity of this person.
Who is the father of her child (Arthur Dimmesdale)?
Chillingworth leaves his fortune to this unlikely person.
Who is Pearl?
This person was Paul Revere’s companion, who also rode to warn the countryside.
Who was William Dawes?
The rabbit agrees to race the terrapin because he is known for being this.
What is fast?
This structure is used for public punishment but also becomes a place of confession and redemption.
What is the scaffold?
Pearl, Hester’s daughter, is often compared to this natural element, symbolizing her wild and unpredictable nature.
What is fire?
In Chapter 20, Dimmesdale returns from the forest and suddenly feels this unusual temptation to say________ to all the people from his church he encounters.
What are blasphemies?
The phrase "Hardly a man is now alive" implies that Longfellow is writing about events long after this war.
What is The American Revolution?
The story teaches the lesson that this quality is more important than speed alone.
What is cleverness or intelligence?
Throughout the novel, the contrasting elements of _______ and _______ represent truth and concealment, innocence and sin, and good and bad, with one revealing hidden sins and the other hiding them.
What is light and dark?
Roger Chillingworth is frequently compared to this blood-sucking parasite.
What is a leech?
In Chapter 23, Dimmesdale finally does this in front of the townspeople before dying.
What is confessing his sin?
The famous signal "One if by land, two if by sea" was meant to warn of British movement from this Boston landmark.
What is the Old North Church?
The rabbit's fatal flaw is his_________.
What is arrogance?
Seen in the sky in Chapter 12, this celestial event is interpreted differently by Dimmesdale and the townspeople—one seeing it as a sign of guilt, the others as a symbol of an angel.
What is the meteor?
In Chapter 12, Dimmesdale stands on the scaffold at night and sees this celestial phenomenon, which the town interprets as a sign from Heaven.
What is a meteor?
In the final chapter, Pearl has moved to __________, never again returning to Boston.
What is Europe?
After a stop in Lexington, the final destination of this ride was ___________.
What is Concord?
A terrapin is more commonly known as a __________.
What is a tortoise?