ENGLISH 11 HONORS
November 8, 2013
AGENDA - 11/8/2013
 Unit
One: Chapter 5 Vocab Quiz
 Collect Packets
 Idiot Driver/Drunk Driver Articles
 Reflection
 The Scarlet Letter
 Final Project
 Chapter 17-20 discussion
 Finish Figurative Language Activity
Discuss
 HOMEWORK: Read Chapters 21-24 and answer
questions and begin working on your project.
CONCERNS RAISED ON
“SCARLET LETTER” FOR DRUNK DRIVERS
 When
you are finished with your quiz,
please look in your Scarlet Letter books,
there is an article on pg. 307. Read the
article and compare it to the “Idiot” news
story we will watch in a few minutes.
IDIOTS
 The
word idiot originates from the
Greek word idiwtes (idiotes), which
refers to a person disinterested
in participating in democracy and
public life. These people were viewed
as selfish, contemptible and stupid as
they were more concerned with their
daily personal affairs than they were
of the good of the society.
CONVICTED IDIOT: DRIVER WHO PASSED SCHOOL BUS
HOLDS HER SIGN OF SHAME

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89fApjI
W0mA&safety_mode=true&persist_safety
_mode=1&safe=active
CONCERNS RAISED ON “SCARLET LETTER” FOR DRUNK DRIVERS

In your Scarlet Letter books, there is an article on pg.
307, please read it and compare it to the “Idiot” news
story we watched earlier.
IDIOT REFLECTION



Here are parts of questions we have been considering about The
Scarlet Letter:
 What are the effects of being exiled or shunned from a society?
 Can we and should we be forgiven from the sins of our past?
Based on these articles and what you have read in The Scarlet
Letter, do these types of public humiliation work? Or do you think
people will continue to do these acts, but try harder not to get
caught? What types of punishments would work to curb this type of
behavior?
Who forgives first, society or the law? Do you think society is too
quick to forgive these people? Do you think they should have been
punished for longer? Why or Why Not?
THE SCARLET LETTER:
CHAPTERS 17-20 DISCUSSION
Can we be truly independent, or do we always seek
the approval of others?
7. What contrast does the narrator point out
between Hester and Dimmesdale’s ability to leave
town?

Hester is a free thinking social outlaw. Her
suffering helps to prepare and strengthen her for
a new life. Dimmesdale is hemmed in by his
Puritan conformity; he is weakened by his desire
to not sin and he is not prepared for new freedom.
THE SCARLET LETTER:
CHAPTERS 17-20 DISCUSSION
Symbolism
9. Describe the “exhilarating effect” that the
decision to leave has on Hester and Dimmesdale.
How does Hawthorne use symbolism to reinforce
this effect?
 Dimmesdale feels joy again. Hester removes the
letter, takes off her cap, and becomes beautiful
again.
 As Hester removes the scarlet letter, “the burden
of shame and anguish departed from her spirit.”
 Sunlight is also symbolic of the couple’s
exhilaration when it surprisingly bursts into the
forest “as with a sudden smile of heaven.”
THE SCARLET LETTER:
CHAPTERS 17-20 DISCUSSION
Symbolism
10. How does Hawthorne reinforce his idea that nature
is sympathetic with the union of Hester and
Dimmesdale?
 Pearl is welcomed by the forest, which recognized a
kindred wildness in the human child.” The forest
creatures are extremely amiable towards Pearl, to the
point of obvious exaggeration. (Romanticism)
11. What idea is suggested by Pearl’s slow approach and
Dimmesdale’s fear of Pearl?
 The bliss found in the forest will not last.
THE SCARLET LETTER:
CHAPTERS 17-20 DISCUSSION
What does sin do to a person? Can we and should we be
forgiven from the sins of our past?
13. Why does Pearl make Hester don the scarlet letter
again, and why must Hester pick it up?

Pearl forces Hester to put the letter back on because it
is a source of comfort and recognition for Pearl. Pearl’s
insistence that Hester retrieve the letter signifies that
the sin is a permanent mark on Hester and is still a
burden.
THE SCARLET LETTER:
CHAPTERS 17-20 DISCUSSION
What does sin do to a person? Can we and should we be
forgiven from the sins of our past?
16. Describe the minister’s wicked impulses as he
returns to town.
 Dimmesdale has urges to swear, to question eternal
life, and to corrupt the innocent.
17. Why is Dimmesdale suddenly behaving wickedly?
 Dimmesdale feels that he has given himself over to sin
because he has consciously broken with all that he
believes.
THE SCARLET LETTER:
CHAPTERS 17-20 DISCUSSION
What does sin do to a person? Can we and should we be
forgiven from the sins of our past?
19. Has Dimmesdale committed a deadly sin by planning
to escape with Hester?
 Dimmesdale needs to face his sin, not run from it;
turning his back on what he has done will make him
more ashamed. His plan to escape is more cowardly
than sinful.