Chapter 11 "The Interior of a Heart"
44. How does Dimmesdale's suffering affect his work as a clergyman? What is the public reaction when Dimmesdale "confesses" his sinfulness from the pulpit? Describe and analyze the narrator's tone toward Dimmesdale as he describes this confession.
Dimmesdale is used to many young women gathering around him confessing their sins, and now they all grow pale around him. Dimmesdale's physical appearance has also suffered because of the sin he carries. Dimmesdale preaches that his his the worst sinner of all which makes people like the fact that he tells them and how powerful he must be however it does make some turn their heads.
Dimmesdale is used to many young women gathering around him confessing their sins, and now they all grow pale around him. Dimmesdale's physical appearance has also suffered because of the sin he carries. Dimmesdale preaches that his his the worst sinner of all which makes people like the fact that he tells them and how powerful he must be however it does make some turn their heads.
Chapter 12 "The Minister's Vigil"
46. Why does Dimmesdale go to stand on the scaffold?
Dimmesdale goes and stands on the scaffold because he wants to reveal his sin to God.
49. What question does Pearl ask Dimmesdale? What is his answer? Why is this interaction significant?
Pearl asks Dimmesdale if he will stand with Pearl and Hester the next day at noon. Dimmesdale says that he will not but he will again one day. This is significant because Dimmesdale is acting cowardly for not going the next day to stand next to them on the scaffold in front of others. Dimmesdale would rather hide his shame.
50. What "sigh" appears in the sky? How is it described? What two interpretations are offered by which characters?
A letter 'A' appeared out of the sky because of an asteroid. The interpretation that Hester saw was her sin in the sky. Dimmesdale saw the sin and that he should be punished.
Dimmesdale goes and stands on the scaffold because he wants to reveal his sin to God.
49. What question does Pearl ask Dimmesdale? What is his answer? Why is this interaction significant?
Pearl asks Dimmesdale if he will stand with Pearl and Hester the next day at noon. Dimmesdale says that he will not but he will again one day. This is significant because Dimmesdale is acting cowardly for not going the next day to stand next to them on the scaffold in front of others. Dimmesdale would rather hide his shame.
50. What "sigh" appears in the sky? How is it described? What two interpretations are offered by which characters?
A letter 'A' appeared out of the sky because of an asteroid. The interpretation that Hester saw was her sin in the sky. Dimmesdale saw the sin and that he should be punished.
Chapter 13 "Another View of Hester"
53. How has Hester's position in the community changed? How is this linked to any change in the townspeople's perception of the scarlet letter's symbolism? Explain the narrator's comment that "the scarlet letter had not done its office."
Hester has gradually become a 'good person' in the community. Hester has been helping people who are in need, and her letter has been changed from 'Adultery' to 'Able'. The scarlet letter had not done its job. Hester had to suffer because of the letter but she still has to suffer because of being looked down upon.
Hester has gradually become a 'good person' in the community. Hester has been helping people who are in need, and her letter has been changed from 'Adultery' to 'Able'. The scarlet letter had not done its job. Hester had to suffer because of the letter but she still has to suffer because of being looked down upon.
Chapter 14 "Hester and the Physician"
56. During his conversation with Hester, what opinion of Dimmesdale's character does Chillingworth offer? Why does he refuse to leave him alone? Why does he insist that Dimmesdale has "increased the debt"?
Chillingworth tells Hester that Dimmesdale knows what he intends to do toward him, and knows that he is not doing any good being around him. He refuses to leave him alone because he wants to seek revenge on Dimmesdale no matter what it takes. Dimmesdale has increased his debt by letting Chillingworth be around him all the time.
Chillingworth tells Hester that Dimmesdale knows what he intends to do toward him, and knows that he is not doing any good being around him. He refuses to leave him alone because he wants to seek revenge on Dimmesdale no matter what it takes. Dimmesdale has increased his debt by letting Chillingworth be around him all the time.
Chapter 15 "Hester and Pearl"
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?
Pearl makes a 'A' out of seaweed and grass. This object is significant because it is a more pure letter, and when Pearl says she will not yet wear one.
Pearl makes a 'A' out of seaweed and grass. This object is significant because it is a more pure letter, and when Pearl says she will not yet wear one.
Chapter 16 "A Forest Walk"
60. Why hasn't Hester ever visited Dimmesdale in his study? What does Hester's desired meeting place suggest about the nature of their relationships.
Hester believes they need room apart, therefore they decide to meet up in the woods. The desired meeting place suggests that they are still in secrecy and would not want others to see them.
63. What questions do Pearl repeat throughout chapters 15 and 16? What do these questions suggest about Pearl and about her relationship with her mother?
Pearl always asks where Hester got the scarlet letter, what it means, and why does Dimmesdale always cover his chest with his hands. This proves how Pearl really wants to know things and how she trusts her mom when asking questions. It also shows how observant Pearl is.
Hester believes they need room apart, therefore they decide to meet up in the woods. The desired meeting place suggests that they are still in secrecy and would not want others to see them.
63. What questions do Pearl repeat throughout chapters 15 and 16? What do these questions suggest about Pearl and about her relationship with her mother?
Pearl always asks where Hester got the scarlet letter, what it means, and why does Dimmesdale always cover his chest with his hands. This proves how Pearl really wants to know things and how she trusts her mom when asking questions. It also shows how observant Pearl is.
Chapter 17 "The Pastor and His Parishioner"
67. Why does Hester reveal the truth of Chillingworth's identity? How does Dimmesdale react? What is your reaction to his reaction?
Hester reveals Chillingworth's identity because Dimmesdale deserves to know about Chillingworth since Chillingworth already knows about Dimmesdale's identity. Dimmesdale ends up feeling dumb because he has been oblivious to his true identity. However Dimmesdale also felt betrayed by Hester. He felt humiliated. I also was surprised because Hester promised Chillingworth that she would not tell Dimmesdale as she wouldn't reveal Dimmesdale's identity.
68. As Hester and Dimmesdale discuss "what to do" to escape Chillingworth, what does their conversation reveal about the nature of their relationship? How is each character strong or weak? In what way does each need the other?
Hester wants to escape Chillingworth by leaving to England in Europe and begin a new family together with Pearl. This conversation of even thinking about running away together shows that after all they still have feelings toward each other.
Hester reveals Chillingworth's identity because Dimmesdale deserves to know about Chillingworth since Chillingworth already knows about Dimmesdale's identity. Dimmesdale ends up feeling dumb because he has been oblivious to his true identity. However Dimmesdale also felt betrayed by Hester. He felt humiliated. I also was surprised because Hester promised Chillingworth that she would not tell Dimmesdale as she wouldn't reveal Dimmesdale's identity.
68. As Hester and Dimmesdale discuss "what to do" to escape Chillingworth, what does their conversation reveal about the nature of their relationship? How is each character strong or weak? In what way does each need the other?
Hester wants to escape Chillingworth by leaving to England in Europe and begin a new family together with Pearl. This conversation of even thinking about running away together shows that after all they still have feelings toward each other.
Chapter 18 "A Flood of Sunshine"
69. In the second paragraph of chapter 18, the narrator uses the phrase "a moral wilderness." What is this intended to describe?
The paragraph intends to describe how Hester's moral does not match the puritan society.
The paragraph intends to describe how Hester's moral does not match the puritan society.
Chapter 19 "The Child at The Brook-Side"
71. Why is Pearl unable to share her mother's joy over the Scarlet Letter's removal? Why does she insist that Hester put the Scarlet Letter on again? Why does she reject Dimmesdale's kiss?
Pearl has grown up with Hester wearing the scarlet letter, and to see it removed she was confused because she struggled recognizing her mother. Pearl even remarks that Hester is not her mother with out the scarlet letter on her bosom. Pearl ends up rejecting Dimmesdale's kiss because Dimmesdale refuses to walk with Hester and Pearl holding hands into town.
Pearl has grown up with Hester wearing the scarlet letter, and to see it removed she was confused because she struggled recognizing her mother. Pearl even remarks that Hester is not her mother with out the scarlet letter on her bosom. Pearl ends up rejecting Dimmesdale's kiss because Dimmesdale refuses to walk with Hester and Pearl holding hands into town.
Chapter 20 "The Minister in a Maze"
73. 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 Dimmesdale's "temptation" might be apparent to a modern reader?
The four temptations that Dimmesdale faces are: a Conversation with a Deacon in his church, his temptation to have sex with a young girl, the words that the woman spoke into Dimmesdale's ear, and that he wanted to teach bad words to young children. Dimmesdale thinks the source is him going crazy because of the sin, or that he had told the devil that he would do as he wished. Dimmesdale was angry at himself for deciding to leave the country without revealing his sin to the towns people.
The four temptations that Dimmesdale faces are: a Conversation with a Deacon in his church, his temptation to have sex with a young girl, the words that the woman spoke into Dimmesdale's ear, and that he wanted to teach bad words to young children. Dimmesdale thinks the source is him going crazy because of the sin, or that he had told the devil that he would do as he wished. Dimmesdale was angry at himself for deciding to leave the country without revealing his sin to the towns people.
Chapter 21 "The New England Holiday"
78. What bad news does Hester receive from the ship's captain? How might this news suggest an impending tragedy to the reader?
The bad news the Hester receives from the ship's captain is that Chillingworth will be going with them to Europe. This might make the readers feel like Chillingworth will try to be with Hester once again.
The bad news the Hester receives from the ship's captain is that Chillingworth will be going with them to Europe. This might make the readers feel like Chillingworth will try to be with Hester once again.
Chapter 22 "The Procession"
80. How has Dimmesdale's 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?
Dimmesdale now becomes better looking, healthy and happy. Hester begins to grow weak while Dimmesdale begins to grow much more healthy.
Dimmesdale now becomes better looking, healthy and happy. Hester begins to grow weak while Dimmesdale begins to grow much more healthy.
Chapter 23 "The Revelation of the Scarlet Letter"
83. How does Hawthorne further develop the symbolic importance of the scaffold during Dimmesdale's sermon?
The scaffold has an importance to reveal his sin to the town and peg for gods forgiveness.
85. Describe and analyze the significance of each of the main characters' reactions to Dimmesdale's confession. How is each one changed by his confession?
Pearl finally kisses Dimmesdale, Chillingworth kneels and has a blank expression, and Hester leans her head on him. Hester then grabs Dimmesdale's head and places it on her bosom. Hester then wants Dimmesdale to start a family with her and Pearl.
86. What are Dimmesdale's last words? Is there anything significant about these words or the situation in which they are spoken?
Dimmesdale wants Hester to keep quiet and let the people think what they wish. Dimmesdale tells Hester that only God can determine weather they can be together again or not. Dimmesdale says that Chillingworth was sent there to punish him for his sin and that he now is sorry for his sin.
The scaffold has an importance to reveal his sin to the town and peg for gods forgiveness.
85. Describe and analyze the significance of each of the main characters' reactions to Dimmesdale's confession. How is each one changed by his confession?
Pearl finally kisses Dimmesdale, Chillingworth kneels and has a blank expression, and Hester leans her head on him. Hester then grabs Dimmesdale's head and places it on her bosom. Hester then wants Dimmesdale to start a family with her and Pearl.
86. What are Dimmesdale's last words? Is there anything significant about these words or the situation in which they are spoken?
Dimmesdale wants Hester to keep quiet and let the people think what they wish. Dimmesdale tells Hester that only God can determine weather they can be together again or not. Dimmesdale says that Chillingworth was sent there to punish him for his sin and that he now is sorry for his sin.
Chapter 24 "Conclusion"
87. Summarize the concluding chapter in terms of character development and final thoughts offered by the narrator.
In the last chapter, Dimmesdale's death is spoken about around the town. Some people are claiming they saw the letter on his chest and others don't believe it. Time goes by and Chillingworth passes away a year later and leaves Pearl money. Later, Hester returns without Pearl to Boston. Hester then passes away, and she was buried in the King's Chapel graveyard next to Dimmesdale. Pearl then got married and had a family of her own.
In the last chapter, Dimmesdale's death is spoken about around the town. Some people are claiming they saw the letter on his chest and others don't believe it. Time goes by and Chillingworth passes away a year later and leaves Pearl money. Later, Hester returns without Pearl to Boston. Hester then passes away, and she was buried in the King's Chapel graveyard next to Dimmesdale. Pearl then got married and had a family of her own.