STUDY GUIDE
The Scarlet Letter – by Nathaniel Hawthorne 1
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The Scarlet Letter
by
Nathanial Hawthorne
Chapters 1 - 11
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STUDY GUIDE
The Scarlet Letter – by Nathaniel Hawthorne 2
Study Guide: Chapters 1 – 11
Always cite a page # for each answer
Chapter 2
1. What impressions about the character of the Puritans and their conceptions of sin,
morality, and punishment do you get from each of the following:
a. the description of the Puritan people
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b. the conversation of the women
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c. the brief description of the town beadle
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d. the description of the scaffold and pillory
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2. What early hints do you get about the nature of Hester‟s crime?
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3. What do you learn about Hester‟s life before she came to the Puritan settlement?
(Ch 2) just list details
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Chapter 3
1. What impressions about the character of the Puritans and their conceptions of
sin, morality, and punishment do you get from each of the following:
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a. the appearance and comments of the Rev. Mr. Wilson
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b. the appearance and comments of the Rev. Mr. Dimmesdale
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STUDY GUIDE
Chapter 3, cont.
The Scarlet Letter – by Nathaniel Hawthorne 3
Remember to cite page # for each answer
2. What 2 (3) punishments have been assigned?
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3. What important question about her crime remains unanswered?
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4. Based on your reading of chapters 1, 2, & 3, what hints do you pick up as to the
identity of the father of the baby?
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5. What early impressions of Hester‟s character do you get from the following
details in the story:
a. her reaction when the beadle tries to lead her out of the door
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b. her behavior as she stands before the crowd
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c. her manner of designing and wearing the scarlet letter
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d. the description of her inner feelings
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e. her response to the pleas of the clergymen
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6. Specific attention is called to the stranger in the crowd. What impressions of his
character/personality do you get from Hawthorne‟s description of him as the
stranger observes Hester on the scaffold?
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The Scarlet Letter – by Nathaniel Hawthorne 4
7. What do you learn about Hester‟s life before she came to the Puritan settlement?
(Ch 3) just list details
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8. The character of the Rev. Mr. Dimmesdale is rendered more striking by the
contrast with the Rev. Mr. Wilson. Based on their descriptions and their manner
of speaking to Hester, what differences can you discern?
Rev. Mr. Dimmesdale
Rev. Mr. Wilson
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Chapter 4
Remember to cite page # for each answer
1. Foreshadowing is a literary device by which the author gives hints or clues
about what is to come. At the end of chapter 4, Hester asks Chillingworth, “Art
thou like the Black Man [Satan] that haunts the forest round about us? Hast thou
enticed me into a bond that will prove the ruin of my soul?” Chillingworth
answers, “Not thy soul…No, not thine!” What does Hawthorne seem to be
foreshadowing here?
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2. At the end of Ch 4, Hester is keeping two secrets: the identity of her baby‟s
father and the true identity of Roger Chillingworth. Are the two secrets equal in
importance? What do you think about her wisdom in keeping each of them?
Daddy‟s identity
Chill‟s identity
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The Scarlet Letter – by Nathaniel Hawthorne 5
STUDY GUIDE
3. Is keeping secrets wrong? Is there a difference between keeping a secret and
lying? Under what circumstances might it be wrong and/or might it be right?
See Proverbs 11:12, 13; 20:19; & 25:9, 10.
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Summarize the following:
Proverbs 11:12, 13 _______________________________________________
Proverbs 20:19
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Proverbs 25:9, 10
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Chapter 5
1.
Remember to cite page # for each answer
Does your respect for Hester increase or decrease as you observe her
manner of life and behavior in the first years after her release from prison?
Why?
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“Chillingworth” is an assumed name. What connection do you observe
between this name and the manner in which he behaves and speaks in the
interview with Hester? [have fun with this answer…]
2.
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3.
In Ch 5, much is made of Hester‟s penitent lifestyle; she remains where her sin is
known, she keeps the “A” in plain view, she does charity work, etc. By “earthly
punishment,” “the torture of her daily shame,” she seems to be seeking
martyrdom.
Read (and summarize) Philippians 3:13, 14; Isaiah 43: 18, 19; Ephesians 2:8, 9;
and Galatians 3: 2,3.
Philippians 3:13, 14 ______________________________________
Isaiah 43: 18, 19
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Ephesians 2:8, 9
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Galatians 3: 2,3
The Scarlet Letter – by Nathaniel Hawthorne 6
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What do these verses say about Hester‟s and her town‟s attitudes about
continual shame and penance?
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*Will these attitudes/actions cleanse her? Explain
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4.
Many of the people Hester deals with treat her with “quiet malice,” insults, and
repugnance. (look up “malice” & repugnance)
Why are they doing this, and what are they saying about themselves as well as
Hester?
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5.
In the last paragraphs of Chapter 5, Hester is horrified and fights against an
impression she continually feels. What is the impression?
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Read 1 John 1: 8 – 10.
Summarize
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How does this apply to the feeling Hester sometimes has?
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Chapter 6
Hawthorne repeatedly uses the words “imp,” “elf,” and “sprite” to describe
Pearl. In what ways are these three words appropriate to Pearl?
1.
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STUDY GUIDE
The Scarlet Letter – by Nathaniel Hawthorne 7
Chapter 7
1.
In Ch 7, what colors does Hawthorne use to describe Pearl?
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(look up their symbolism)
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What impression does this give you? ____________________________
Chapter 8
1.
Remember to cite page # for each answer
What further impressions of Rev. Dimmesdale do you get from the way he
speaks and acts when Hester visits the Governor‟s mansion?
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2.
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How long has it been since the beginning of the story? ____________
How old is Pearl? ________
3.
Why is Gov. Bellingham considering taking Pearl away from Hester?
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Who among the Governor‟s companions speaks for Hester?
4.
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5.
Governor Bellingham and Rev. Wilson are considering placing Pearl in
someone else‟s care. Hester wants to keep her child. Do the men or Hester
consider the best interests of Pearl?
P‟s best interests: ____________________________________
Considering Pearl‟s behavior so far, which side do you think is most correct?
Explain.
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6.
What does the scene with Mistress Hibbins at the end of Ch 8 reveal about
Hester?
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STUDY GUIDE
The Scarlet Letter – by Nathaniel Hawthorne 8
Chapter 9
1.
How do people view Roger Chillingworth at the start of Ch 9?
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How do many people view him at the end of Chapter 9?
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2.
How does Chillingworth associate himself with Dimmesdale?
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How does Chillingworth „s face change?
3.
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Chapter 10
1.
In what two ways is Chillingworth a leech? _________________
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2.
Define leech: literally_____________________________
figuratively ___________________________
symbolically __________________________
Where does Chilliingworth gather the “black weeds?”
3.
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4.
What does Pearl call Chillingworth? _____________________
5.
What does Dimmesdale refuse to tell Chillingworth?
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6.
What does Pearl throw at Dimmesdale? _________________
Why is this symbolic? _______________________________
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7.
The Scarlet Letter – by Nathaniel Hawthorne 9
Why isn‟t the reader told what Chillingworth sees on Dimmesdale‟s
chest while he sleeps?
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What is Chillingworth‟s reaction? __________________________
What do YOU think is there? ______________________________
8.
Describe the relationship between Chillingworth and Dimmesdale.
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Chapter 11
1.
Remember to cite page # for each answer
Throughout chapter 11, Dimmesdale‟s and Chillingworth‟s personalities are
graphically changing. List the phrases that Hawthorne uses to emphasize the
changes. ( p #s, too)
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2.
What symbolism do you find in Dimmesdale‟s thoughts about his
own grave?
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3.
There is indication that Dimmesdale has, in fact, confessed his sin
nature to his congregation. What was their response and why?
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Why does the confession in (#37) NOT fulfill Dimmesdale‟s need to
confess?
4.
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5.
The Scarlet Letter – by Nathaniel Hawthorne 10
Other than intense fasting and lack of sleep, what are the selfinflicted punishments that Dimmesdale receives?
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Chapters 9 – 11 chronicle a change in Chillingworth‟s relationship
with Dimmesdale. What was Chillingworth‟s original purpose in
examining and developing a relationship with Dimmesdale?
6.
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What changed?____________________________________________
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7.
Personification is the technique of giving human attributes to material things.
Chillingworth does the very opposite to Dimmesdale, totally stripping
Dimmesdale of his human qualities. List some phrases Hawthorne uses to
demonstrate this. [pp #s]
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8.
Hawthorne sets up various contrasting situations or descriptions of Dimmesdale
and Chillingworth, characterizing Dimmesdale as a man of light (godly) and
Chillingworth as a man of darkness (demonic). List three of these situations
and/or descriptions. (p #‟s, too)
1) _______________________________________________________
2) _______________________________________________________
3) _______________________________________________________
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