The Scarlet Letter

I. Reading Assignment
As you read, pay attention to the following:
Reading Observations
Setting
Significant Events, especially plot shifts
Characterization and character development (inc. moral/spiritual development)
Conflict introduction and development
Key motifs, images and symbols (address both literal and figurative purposes)
Narratorial tone
Mysteries and unanswered questions
Discussion Question Responses
You are required to answer any questions in boldface print. You may answer as many of the other
questions as you wish.
Questions from Ch 1-12 are due DECEMBER 16th!!
Questions from Ch 13-24 are due JANUARY 12th!!
We will also take reading quizzes on the text as follows:
Ch 1-6 Wednesday, Dec 9
Ch 7-12 Wednesday, Dec 16
Ch 13-18 Tuesday, Jan 5
Ch 19-24 Tuesday, Jan 12

II. Group Presentation Assignment (Quiz Grade)

Working in groups as assigned, plan and present a critical overview of one section of The Scarlet Letter. In
order to help the class follow your presentation, you should use some kind of visual aidthis can take the form
of a handout, a powerpoint or prezi presentation, or typed notes that can be displayed on the document camera.
Presentations will occur after the class has finished reading and discussing each section of the novel; therefore,
presentations should focus on reinforcement rather than introduction of new material. Presentations should
include the following elements:
1) Summary: Quickly review the setting of the section and its significance, as well as the basic order of events,
making special note of conflict development and plot shifts.
2) Character Analysis: Review the ways in which this chapter develops our knowledge of individual characters
and expands their role within the story. Remember to pay close attention not only to inter/intrapersonal
development, but to moral and spiritual development, as well.
3) Key motifs and images: Review any items that are given special significance, either through repetition or
narrative emphasis of some kind. If your section further develops a motif from another section, be sure to avoid
mere repetition of someone elses presentation.
4) Narratorial tone: Offer an interpretation of the narrators tone toward the people, events, and objects you
have already addressed. Use specific textual material to illustrate your interpretation.
5) Close Reading Exercise: Select a sentence from the text that is particularly illustrative of a key motif, tone,
or situation in your section of the novel. Discuss both the content and the structure of this sentence as they
relate to the larger issues in this section of the novel.

The Scarlet Letter

Study Guide
Chapter 1

1. What types of imagery are used to introduce the Puritan townsfolk in The Prison
Door? What is the effect of this imagery and how does the narrator further this
portrayal in The Market Place?
2. What is the significance (symbolic, thematic, or otherwise) of the
rosebush outside the prison door?
Chapter 2

3. What traits characterize the women of Salem? How might their collective
demeanor be a product of Puritan society? What is the artistic function of the
young wife within the group?
4. What is Hesters first action in the novel and what does it reveal about her
character? Describe her demeanor as she emerges from the prison.
5. According to the narrator, what is the greatest outrageagainst our
common nature? Do you agree? How might this opinion on the part of
the narrator shape the telling of this story?
6. While she is on the scaffold, Hesters memory runs through a brief summary of
her past. What significant events are referred to, however vaguely?
Chapter 3

7. Describe the stranger standing next to the Indian during Hesters

punishment. What signal passes between him and Hester? What emotional
affect does his presence have on Hester?
8. Why does the stranger call Hesters punishment a wise sentence?
9. Describe Reverend Dimmesdale. What are his most significant physical
features and what do they suggest about his personality and even his
soul?
10.
What argument does Dimmesdale use to try convince Hester to name
her fellow-sinner? How does Hester respond? How does her child
respond?
11.
Why does Hester say the scarlet letter can never be removed from
her breast?
12.
How does the sermon delivered by John Wilson begin to expand the
symbolic significance of the scarlet letter? How does town gossip and
superstition do the same?

Chapter 4

13.
What does Chillingworth mean when he says to Hester, We have
wronged each other?
14.
Why does Chillingworth ask Hester to keep his identity a secret? Why is
this ironic in light of his profession?
Chapter 5

15.

How does Hesters life change once her public humiliation is over?

16.
The narrator gives two reasons for Hesters refusal to leave New
England, one that is authentic and one that Hester fabricates as a selfdelusion. Explain each one and what it reveals about Hesters character.
17.
Where does Hester live after her leaving the prison? What is
significant about this location?
18.
How does Hester support herself and Pearl? What does her profession
reveal about Puritan society? What is the one job she is never asked to do and
why?
19.
Apart from wearing the scarlet letter, in what specific ways is Hester
isolated from the townspeople? How is she made to suffer by this?
20.
What new and special power does the scarlet letter seem to give
Hester? What is Hesters reaction to this newfound ability?
Chapter 6

21.
Why does Hester name her child Pearl? Why does she worry about Pearls
character?
22.
How does the narrator account for Pearls wild and untamed
character?
23.
What success does Hester have in controlling Pearl? How does Pearl
interact with the other children in the village? What rumor circulates about
Pearls paternity?
24.

What purpose might the mother-daughter conflict play in the novel?

Chapter 7

25.

For what two purposes does Hester go to Governor Bellinghams mansion?

26.

Describe Pearls dress and comment on its significance.

27.
Describe the construction and furnishing of Governor Bellinghams
mansion. What does it reveal about Puritan culture?
28.
What possible symbolic meanings are associated with sunshine and the suit
of armor in Chapter 7?
Chapter 8

29.
What reason does the Governor give for taking Pearl from her
mother? How does he examine Pearl and for what purpose? How do
Pearls responses strengthen the elders biases against her and Hester?
30.
What reason does Hester give for her need to keep Pearl? Who
supports her plea and why?
31.

How does Pearl behave towards Dimmesdale in the garden?

32.
What is the purpose of the interaction between Hester and Mistress Hibbins
at the end of Chapter 8?
Chapter 9

33.
How does Chillingworth make a place for himself in Boston society?
Why are we as readers suspicious of his professional and social
motivations? Why does this suspicion seem to be absent from the
narrators tone?
34.
How do Dimmesdale and the people of the town take differing views
towards his failing health?
35.
How does Chillingworth come to be Dimmesdales personal physician?
What do the two men have in common as a basis for friendship? Whose idea is it
that they should live together?
36.
What biblical stories are portrayed in the decorations of
Dimmesdales room? What themes or issues are suggested by these
stories?
37.

What two conflicting ideas did the townspeople hold about Chillingworth?

Chapter 10

38.
How has Chillingworth changed since Hester first knew him? How does the
narrator use imagery or description to reveal the nature of Chillingworths
metamorphosis? What is the cause of this change?
39.

What does Chillingworth suggest is the cause of Dimmesdales illness?

40.
Summarize the disagreement between Chillingworth and
Dimmesdale over the confession of sin. What are the points of view
offered by each man? Why does Dimmesdale leave the room? What is the
larger significance of this conversation?
41.
What misbehavior does Pearl indulge in below Dimmesdales window? How
does this scene suggest a link between the child and the minister?
42.
What important discovery does Chillingworth make while
Dimmesdale is sleeping? How does the narrator describe Chillingworths
joy and why is this description meaningful?
Chapter 11

43.
How and why does Chillingworth change his purpose in light of his
discovery?
44.
How does Dimmesdales suffering affect his work as a clergyman?
What is the public reaction when Dimmesdale confesses his sinfulness
from the pulpit? Describe and analyze the narrators tone toward
Dimmesdale as he describes this confession.
45.
Through what practices does Dimmesdale seek penance for his sins? What
is the narrators tone toward Dimmesdale as he relates these practices?
Chapter 12

46.

Why does Dimmesdale go to stand on the scaffold?

47.
Which two people come to their window when Dimmesdale shrieks? What
symbolism might be involved in the authors choice of these two character?
48.
Why are Rev. Wilson and, later, Hester and Pearl out at night? Why does
Rev. Wilson miss seeing Dimmesdale?
49.
What question does Pearl ask Dimmesdale? What is his answer?
Why is this interaction significant?
50.
What sign appears in the sky? How is it described? What two
interpretations are offered by which characters?
51.

What is Chillingworths reaction to finding Dimmesdale on the scaffold?

52.
How does his experience on the scaffold affect Dimmesdales sermon the
next day? How does the Sexton interpret his discovery of Dimmesdales black
glove on the scaffold?

Chapter 13

53.
How has Hesters position in the community changed? How is this
linked to any change in the townspeoples perception of the scarlet
letters symbolism? Explain the narrators comment that the scarlet
letter had not done its office.
54.
Describe the changes in Hesters appearance and temperament that
have come as a result of wearing the scarlet letter. Include an
explanation of how her view on womanhood has changed.
55.
What stimulus gives Hester the courage to confront Chillingworth, to act on
Dimmesdales behalf?
Chapter 14

56.
During his conversation with Hester, what opinion of Dimmesdales
character does Chillingworth offer? Why does he refuse to leave him
alone? Why does he insist that Dimmesdale has increased the debt?
Chapter 15

57.
Why does Hester feel Chillingworth has done me worse wrong than I did
him?
58.
What object does Pearl make for herself out of grasses and seaweeds? How
is this object given symbolic significance by its differences from the original?
59.
Explain Hesters statement, If this be the price of the childs
sympathy, I cannot pay it. Later, in chapter 16, what does the narrator
say Pearl needs in order to make her capable of sympathy?
Chapter 16

60.
Why hasnt Hester ever visited Dimmesdale in his study? What does
Hesters desired meeting place suggest about the nature of their
relationship?
61.
According to Pearl, why does the sunshine love her and not Hester? Why
is Pearls observation significant?
62.
How is the brook described? What possible symbolic meanings could be
associated with it?
63.
What questions does Pearl repeat throughout chapters 15 and 16?
What do these questions suggest about Pearl and about her relationship
with her mother?
Chapter 17

64.
How is Dimmesdale described as he comes walking through the forest?
How does his manner change once he realizes he is not alone?
65.
Describe Hester and Dimmesdales meeting. How would you describe their
interaction? What important question does Dimmesdale ask Hester?
66.
How do Dimmesdale and Hester disagree over the quality of Dimmesdales
pastoral work and its effect on Dimmesdales life? How do they view
repentance and redemption differently?
67.
Why does Hester reveal the truth of Chillingworths identity? How
does Dimmesdale react? What is your reaction to his reaction?
Chapter 18

68.
In the second paragraph of chapter 18, the narrator uses the phrase
a moral wilderness. What is this intended to describe? What differing
views would the Puritan society and the narrator take regarding this
wilderness? In what sense are Hester and Dimmesdale caught in between
these two views?

69.
How does Nature react when Hester removes the Scarlet Letter?
What is the significance of this in light of Pearls statement in chapter 16
that the sunshine does not love Hester? What thematic message is
solidified in this moment?

Chapter 19

70.
Why is Pearl unable to share her mothers joy over the Scarlet
Letters removal? Why does she insist that Hester put the Scarlet Letter
on again? Why does she reject Dimmesdales kiss?
Chapter 20

71.
What four temptations does Dimmesdale face on his way home?
What does Dimmesdale assume is the source of these temptations? What
alternate explanation does the narrator offer? What further explanations
for Dimmesdales temptation might be apparent to a modern reader?
72.
What does Mistress Hibbins perceive when she meets Dimmesdale?
When contrasted against Hesters meeting with Mistress Hibbins at the
end of chapter 8, how does Dimmesdales response to her further our
understanding of the contrast between the two lovers?
73.

Why does Dimmesdale rewrite his Election Sermon?

Chapter 21

74.
To what degree and for what reason is Hester isolated from Puritan
community during the Holiday? How does Pearl act as a foil to Hesters
condition in this scene? According to the narrator, how is this apparent
contrast the result of an underlying connection between mother and
daughter?
75.
How do the sailors present at this celebration illustrate the incomplete
morality of the age?
76.
What bad news does Hester receive from the ships captain? How
might this news suggest an impending tragedy to the reader?
Chapter 22

77.
How has Dimmesdales appearance changed? In what way does he
appear separate from the crowd and how does this affect Hester? How
does this also foreshadow a possible tragedy?
78.
What forbidden question does Pearl ask when she sees Dimmesdale? What
important symbolic contrast is highlighted by Hesters response?
Chapter 23

79.
How does Hawthorne further develop the symbolic importance of the
scaffold during Dimmesdales sermon?

80.
What did Dimmesdales sermon foretell for the Puritan people? How do the
people react to this message? How does the narrator draw further attention to
the growing separation between Hester and Dimmesdale?
81.
Describe and analyze the significance of each of the main characters
reactions to Dimmesdales confession. How is each one changed by his
confession?
82.
What are Dimmesdales last words? Is there anything significant
about these words or the situation in which they are spoken?
Chapter 24

83.
Summarize the concluding chapter in terms of character
development and final thoughts offered by the narrator.