Where in the colony does the opening chapter take place? (1)
answer
Prison door
question
For what 2 "practical necessities " dos the new colony set aside land? (1)
answer
Cemetery and jail
question
Who is Anne Hutchinson? How does Hawthorne feel about her? (1)
answer
Excommunicated from Puritan church to Rhode Island; viewed beautiful but dangerous
question
What 2 possible symbols does the rose have for the reader? (1)
answer
Beauty of the rose, but pain of the thorns
question
Name 3 crimes and the punishments that the Puritans might witness (2)
answer
Murder: execution
Bad children: whipped
Lawbreaker: Indian intrusion
question
What is the relationship between religion and law in Puritan New England? (2)
answer
They are pretty much the same
question
Describe the Puritan women. Use one quote from the book to support your answer (2)
answer
Less bulkier; thinner; gossipy: "...moral diet not a whit more refined"
question
What punishments would the Puritan women have given Hester Prynne if it were left to them? (2)
answer
Scalded with a hot iron on her forehead to mark her as a "hussy" a immoral woman
question
Describe the appearance of Hester Prynne (2)
answer
Beautiful, tall;long black hair and black eyes
question
What is Hester's sin? Punishment? (2)
answer
Adultery; public condemnation via wearing scarlet letter, humiliation on the scaffold, and temporary jail time
question
What is astonishing about the 'A' on her bodice? (2)
answer
It was elaborately embroidered and stood out with its red cloth with gold thread
question
Why is Hester taken to the scaffold in the market-place? (2)
answer
To be publicly disgraced and interrogated about who is the father
question
What things does Hester think about while she is on the scaffold? (2)
answer
Past memories; e.g. her youth and school days, sports, childish quarrels, traits of her maiden years, and her husband
question
How old is her baby? (2)
answer
3 months
question
What detail is given to suggest the baby was born in jail? (2)
answer
It had "been acquainted only to the grey twilight of the prison"
question
Describe the man who is standing on the outskirts of the crowd. (3)
answer
He is white dressed like an Indian with a deformed shoulder
question
What prior refuse was made in Chapter 2 that reminds the reader of this man? (3)
answer
The flashback of Hester looking in the mirror and seeing a man with a scholar face
question
What gesture does he make to Hester that suggests he knows her? (3)
answer
Points to her then puts his finger in the air then to "shh"
question
What does the stranger learn from the townsman next to him? (3)
answer
That Hester had been cheating on him
question
Who is the father of Hester's baby? (3)
answer
We don't know yet
( but it is Dimmesdale)
question
What is the usual punishment for adultery? Why is Hester's punishment less severe? (3)
answer
Death; the magistrates do not know who the husband/adulterer is yet
question
What are Hester's feelings towards the stranger? (3)
answer
She feels that he stands out in some unique way; she sees him as someone who she herself feels self-conscious to
question
Who is Bellingham? John Wilson? (3)
answer
Governor
Reverend, clergyman and scholar of Boston
question
What do Bellingham and Wilson want Hester to do? (3)
answer
Confess who she committed adultery with
question
Describe Dimmesdale. (3)
answer
A young, educated clergyman who was known to be expressive/eloquent , yet was nervous here
question
What is his relationship to Hester? What does he ask her to reveal? (3)
answer
He is to make Hester confess the truth about her adultery and tell the name of the child's father
question
Why won't Hester name the child's father? (3)
answer
She still loves him
question
How does Hester act when she returns to prison? (4)
answer
She felt nervously excited, demanded constant watchfulness
question
Why does the jailed call a doctor? (4)
answer
Because he felt she was going to hurt herself and the baby was sick
question
What is the doctors name? (4)
answer
Roger Chillingworth
question
Where did the "Doctor" learn his skill? (4)
answer
His old studies in alchemy and Indians
question
Quote 2 lines that indicate the doctor and Hester know each other before this meeting.(4)
answer
1. "Dost thou know me so little, Hester Prynne?"
2. "Even if I imagine a scheme of vengeance, what could I do better for my object?"
question
What is the relationship between Chillingworth and Hester? (4)
answer
Husband and wife
question
Why should Hester's marriage be a failure?(4)
answer
She never loved Chillingworth; he was old; marriage was arranged
question
Did Hester ever love her husband? Quote Hester to support your answer. (4)
answer
No, "I felt no love, nor feigned any"
question
What does Chillingworth vow to do?(4)
answer
Find out who Hester had the baby with
question
What secret does Chillingworth ask Hester to keep? (4)
answer
Don't talk about how Chillingworth is her husband
question
What symbol is introduced for Chillingworth in Hester's final lines in this chapter? (4)
answer
Black man= devil
question
What "general symbol" has Hester become? (5)
answer
One reflecting the reality of sin and frailty,a woman's weakness and sinful passion
question
Give at least 2 reasons why Hester does not leave the colony? (5)
answer
She sinned there, there is someone she feels connected too and cannot leave that person behind
question
Describe Hester's home. (5)
answer
Lives on cottage on a cottage on the outskirts of Boston
question
What talent did Hester use to support herself and Pearl? (5)
answer
Making garments
question
What garments is Hester not allowed to sew? (5)
answer
Wedding garments
question
What type of dress did Hester wear? Pearl? (5)
answer
Hester-simple and dull Pearl-bright red
question
What does Hester do that shows she has a charitable nature? (5)
answer
Making garments for the poor and wealthy families
question
How did (A) the poor, (B) the ladies of Boston, (C) the clergy, and (D) the children treat Hester? (5)
answer
A. With scorn and vilification
B. Ladies want her garments but don't speak to her or look at her
C. Preach about her sin whenever they see her
D. Call her names
question
What special knowledge does Hester feel the Scarlet Letter gives her? (5)
answer
Allows her to see the other sins others are hiding
question
Why did Hester name her child "Pearl"? (6)
answer
Because it represents that Hester paid a great price to have her
question
What does the Scarlet Letter mean to Pearl? (6)
answer
It fascinates her, it is the 1st thing she recognized and she constantly asks Hester what it means
question
What did the townspeople say about Pearl? (6)
answer
She is an offspring of the devil
question
Name 2 reasons Hester visits Governor Bellingham (7)
answer
To deliver an ordered pair of gloves and to plead not to take Pearl away from her
question
How are the Scarlet Letter and Pearl alike? (7)
answer
They both, although look beautiful, are scorned and looked down upon
question
Who are the other visitors at the Governor's house? (8)
answer
Dimmesdale, Wilson, Chillingworth
question
How much time has elapsed since the opening scene? (8)
answer
2-3 years
question
With what creatures of fantasy is Pearl continually compared? (8)
answer
Elves and fairies
question
How has Chillingworth changed since Hester last saw him? (8)
answer
He has become uglier, darker, more deformed and older
question
Why does John Wilson question Pearl? (8)
answer
To see if she has been nurtured in a Christian way
question
How has Reverend Dimmesdale changed since Hester's public humiliation? (8)
answer
He has become more tired, unhappy and scrawny; his health deteriorated
question
Who pleads successfully for Hester to keep her child? (8)
answer
Dimmesdale
question
To which visitor does Pearl respond lovingly? (8)
answer
Dimmesdale
question
What new identity has Chillingworth assumed in Boston? Why is he successful? (9)
answer
Physician, the town was rare to doctors; his studies qualified him
question
To whom in the colony does Chillingworth attach himself as a medical advisor? (9)
answer
Dimmesdale
question
Describe Dimmesdale's health. (9)
answer
He was becoming pale from studying too hard; scrawny
question
What gesture has become Dimmesdale's habit? (9)
answer
Putting his hand over his heart
question
Quote a sentence from this chapter that associates Chillingworth with evil. (9)
answer
"He was heard to speak of Sir Kenelm Digby....whose scientific attainments....super natural...his correspondents or associates."
question
What to opposing views do the towns people hold about Roger Chillingworth? (9)
answer
1. That he is a high esteemed Doctor
2. That evil and satan has gotten into him and it's affecting Dimmesdale
question
What "investigation" consume Chillingworth? (10)
answer
Finding out who Pearl's dad is
question
Who is Chillingworth's main suspect and victim? (10)
answer
Dimmesdale
question
What is a leech? What double meaning does the word leech have? (10)
answer
A bug that sucks blood; doctors suck the life out of people
question
What secret does Chillingworth believe is buried in Dimmesdale's heart? (10)
answer
A connection to Hester
question
Why would Dimmesdale live with guilt and not confess his sin openly? (10)
answer
He is afraid of how it will affect his congregation
question
What reaction does Pearl have to Chillingworth when she sees him with Reverend Dinsdale? (10)
answer
She tells Hester to beware of the Black man and says that he got Dimmesdale
question
What discovery does Chillingworth make when Dimmesdale "fell into a deep deep slumber?" (10)
answer
Self inflicted mark on his chest of an "A"
question
What effect does Reverend Dimmesdale's guilt have upon his popularity in the colony? (11)
answer
Skyrockets and is seen as a "miracle of holiness"
question
What practices does Dimmesdale begin as a result of his guilt? (11)
answer
Starts fasting, doing vigils, inflicting self wounds and punishing himself
question
What is a vigil? (12)
answer
Staying up at night for reflection
question
Where does Dimmesdale hold his vigil? (12)
answer
At Hester's same punishment scaffold
question
Why are Hester and Pearl out at midnight? (12)
answer
They are returning from making measurements of Winthrop's robe
question
What promise does Dimmesdale refuse to make to Pearl? (12)
answer
To stand on the scaffold with Hester and her until noon
question
What is miraculous about the meteor? (12)
answer
It radiates very brightly, illuminating the towns features as if by warning from God; makes trail resembling a red "A"
question
How old is Pearl in this chapter? (13)
answer
7
question
How has the townspeople's view changed toward Hester? (13)
answer
They no longer bear such a strong scorn for her; regard the scarlet "A" as able
question
How has Hester's appearance changed? (13)
answer
She has become more frail and her hair has dilapidated; her beautiful features have deteriorated
question
What does Hester resolve to do? (13)
answer
Confront Chillingworth to leave Dimmesdale alone
question
How has Roger Chillingworth changed in the past 7 years? (14)
answer
He has changed from an intellectual look to a guarded, ominous one
question
What does Hester want Chillingworth to do? (14)
answer
Stop torturing Dimmesdale
question
What revelation is she going to make to Reverend Dimmesdale? (14)
answer
That Chillingworth is her husband
question
What effect has Chillingworth had on Dimmesdale? Quote a line. (14)
answer
He has made Dimmesdale feel weary and uncomfortable. "He has felt an influence dwelling always upon him like a curse...an eye was working curiously into him, which sought only evil...the eye and hand were mine! [Chillingworth's]
question
Read Hester's description of Chillingworth carefully. How does she feel about him? (15)
answer
She feels that he is wicked; devilish; she hates him; he is foul, and she has strong vengeance
question
What questions does Pearl ask her mother? Why does this trouble Hester? (15)
answer
What the scarlet letter means, why she wears it, and why Dimmesdale holds his hand over his heart.
It troubles Hester b/c she does not know whether or not to tell Pearl; as if, whether she is at the right age
question
Where does Hester plan to meet Dimmesdale? Why? (16)
answer
In the open air forest, to tell him the truth
question
Describe the scene with Hester and Pearl in the sunlight. What symbolic meaning could the sunlight have? Why does sunlight shine on Pearl and not Hester? (16)
answer
The scene is very sentimental yet the sunlight is very sporadic in shining. Sun symbolizes happiness and a new beginning. The sun only shines on Pearl because "she does not wear the scarlet letter on her bosom"
question
What story has Pearl heard about the "black man"? (16)
answer
That he haunts the forest and offers his heavy-clad book to be signed in blood, which he then marks on the signer
question
What does the Hester mean when she says "Once in my life, I met the Black Man. This scarlet letter is his mark." (16)
answer
That the scarlet letter embedded was as the result of the "devilish" black man, whose book she had signed, and had inflicted his mark upon
question
Why does Pearl think the minister holds his hand over his heart? How is there symbolic truth in what she says? (16)
answer
She thinks that the Black Man had inflicted his mark on Dimmesdale. Symbolic because in a way Dimmesdale did sign his book with his act of adultery with Hester, and his mark inflicted was his own punishment for it.
question
How has Dimmesdale's secret sin affected his life? Use a quote to support your answers and cite the page number. (17)
answer
He has become miserable and guilty and feels that his role as a minister has depleted. "Hester, I am most miserable! ... What can a ruined soul like mine effect towards...other souls?" (128).
question
What is Dimmesdale's "secret poison his malignity, infecting all air about him? (17)
answer
Chillingworth and his presence
question
From what does Hester hope to save Dimmesdale by telling him the truth about Chillingworth? (17)
answer
Chillingworth's continual torture of him
question
Does Hester still love Dimmesdale? Use a quote to support your answer. Cite a page number. (17)
answer
Yes; "Why should we not speak it? Still so passionately loved" (130)
question
What is Dimmesdale's reaction to the truth? (17)
answer
At first he is shocked, but he calms down and forgives Hester, seeing Chillingworth is the core sinner.
question
What future plans does Hester suggest to Dimmesdale as a way to escape Chillingworth? (17)
answer
To escape beyond the town, possibly in another rural village or even overseas in Europe
question
What is Dimmesdale's decision in response to Hester's plea that they leave the colony? Cite a quote and page number to support your answer. (18)
answer
He is happy and optimistic; "Dimmesdale gazed into Hester's face with a look in which hope and joy shone out" (134)
question
Why is the chapter called, "A Flood of Sunshine"? (18)
answer
In the continual "darkness" of both Hester and Dimmesdale, new hope suddenly "shines" and "brightens" on them
question
What does Hester do that symbolizes putting the past behind them? (18)
answer
Toss the scarlet letter away on the ground and release her hair cap
question
What is the sunshine a symbol of? (18)
answer
New gleaming hope and a new better future for Hester and Dimmesdale
question
When Hester throws down her scarlet letter, the transfiguration foreshadowed Chapter 13 occurs, and Hester's beauty returns. What is the "magic touch" that effects the transformation? (18)
answer
The undoing of her cap that contained it
question
Near the end of this chapter, the forest creatures are naturally drawn to Pearl and recognize her as "a kindred wildness." How do you account for this wildness in Pearl? (18)
answer
She was born in the "wildness" that transpired between the sinful adultery between Hester and Dimmesdale; in many ways, she herself is like feral creatures of the forest.
question
What does Dimmesdale mean when he says, "Oh Hester, what a thought is that, and how terrible to dread it! That my own features were part repeated in her face, and so strikingly that the world might see them!" (19)
answer
That he had feared that people would see that Pearl looked like him
question
Why is Pearl upset when her mother calls her? (19)
answer
She is jealous of Dimmesdale and Hester together and does not see her scarlet letter or hair cap
question
What is Pearl's reaction to Dimmesdale? How is Pearl a symbol for Hester and Dimmesdale? (19)
answer
She did not like him and was quite jealous of him for taking some of her affection. Pearl symbolizes the unusual union between the two.
question
Where have Hester and Dimmesdale decided to go when they leave Boston? Why do they choose to go to Europe rather than remain in the New World? (20)
answer
The Old World (Europe). It was more sheltering and concealing there than in America.
question
How does it happen that Hester is acquainted with the captain of the ship now in the harbor? (20)
answer
Through her charity work
question
Why does Dimmesdale consider it fortunate that the ship is not to sail for 4 days? (20)
answer
It was a suitable time allotted for him to retire his career
question
When Mistress Hibbens offers to introduce Dimmesdale to "yonder potentate you wot of' to who is she referring? (20)
answer
The black man
question
What have the crowds of people gathered in the market place come to witness? (21/22)
answer
The Election Day ceremonies and celebrations
question
Of what ceremony in England was the Election Day pageantry a pale imitation? (21/22)
answer
Royal Coronation
question
What piece of unwelcome news does the master of the ship on which, she, Pearl, and Dimmesdale are to sail have for Hester? (21/22)
answer
That Chillingworth will be joining them
question
What is particularly noticeable about Dimmesdale's manner as he walks in the procession? (21/22)
answer
He seemed more stronger and able physically; though mentally , his mind seemed somewhere else
question
Where does Hester stand during the procession and during Dimmesdale's sermon in the church? (21/22)
answer
Beside the scaffold of the pillory
question
How does Dimmesdale appear as he leaves the church after his triumphant sermon? (23)
answer
Feeble and pale
question
How does Pearl react when Dimmesdale calls Hester and herself to mount the scaffold with him? (23)
answer
She flocks to and embraces Dimmesdale
question
Where, according to Chillingworth is the one place where Dimmesdale could have successfully escaped him? (23)
answer
Scaffold
question
Where were some of the conjectures made by parishioners as to the origin of the minister's scarlet letter? (23)
answer
1. Dimmesdale did it to himself
2. Chillingworth inflicted his black magic on him
3. His guilt manifested itself
question
What explanation for the events of Election Day is made by the minister's friends to make him seem blameless? (23)
answer
Dimmesdale was doing it as an act to teach a last lesson to the town about sinning
question
Dimmesdale enters the church energetically and upright to give his sermon; he leaves if stooped and tottering. How would you account for each of these quite different ways he carried himself? What might we assumed has happened to him during the course of the sermon? (23)
answer
He drains his energy all out
question
Explain why Chillingworth desperately tries to stop Dimmesdale from confessing his sins on the scaffold? (23)
answer
He wants to continue torturing Dimmesdale and to have done it himself to accost his full vengeance on him.
question
What do you think Dimmesdale means when he describes his and Hester's sin as violating "our reverence for each other's soul"?
answer
Their sinning has caused them to hurt their godly and religious piety (thus in the after life)
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