Summer Reading Analysis of The Scarlet Letter 2016-2017
AP English Language and Composition 2016-2017
R. Shamgar
As you read the novel over the summer, take notes either in your own copy’s margin or use post- it
notes and track evidence of themes, symbols, historically relevant events, dates, and people, motifs, and
track the character development of Hester and Rev. Dimmesdale.
Respond to the following in complete sentences and with textual evidence to support. Be sure to use in
text MLA citation format when citing quotes. Answers should be cohesive, supported and perfunctory
(get to the point). This assignment must be typed and completed by the 2nd class period. Expect a test
over the novel by the end of the first week.
I.
In The Custom House what is the story told regarding the finding of the piece of cloth / The
Scarlet Letter and the subsequent history of the woman known as Hester Prynne? How does
this lend credibility to this tale? What unifying human response is experienced by the
narrator as he places the cloth upon his own chest?
II.
How can this novel be studied from a psychological viewpoint regarding the characters of
Hester Prynne and the Rev. Dimmesdale? Research the psychoanalysis/criticism of literature
and determine how the novel could be studied from this view.
III.
How can this novel be analyzed from a feminist critical analysis? How might Hawthorne’s
own life have given him a keen insight into the human nature of women?
IV.
How can this novel be analyzed from an historical viewpoint? What does it tell us about the
society of the early settlers/the Puritans? About their laws, customs, social characteristics….
What attitude does Hawthorne seem to express regarding their rigid society?
V.
How does this novel relate the theme of hidden sin and the consequences on the human
psyche, heart, and life of one who harbors a secret sin? Discuss the literary devices used by
Hawthorne to demonstrate this theme in the novel. They are characteristic of the Dark
Romantics of the literary age in which this novel was written.