1st Semester Study Guide – English 10 Advanced
Lackey 2015
The Scarlet Letter – Nathaniel Hawthorne
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The judges choose not to sentence Hester to death for her crime because ________________________. (ch. 3)
Why did Chillingworth keep his identity a secret and not seek Hester’s death upon his arrival to the town? (ch. 4)
Describe how Pearl spends her free time as a toddler. (ch. 6)
Describe the object that captures Pearl’s attention from the time she was baby to present. (ch. 6)
What is the purpose of Hester’s visit to Governor Bellingham’s house? (ch. 7)
What is the question asked of Pearl to determine her fate – rather to stay w/ her mother or be taken away? (ch. 8)
Who argues for Hester to keep Pearl? What is the basis for the argument? How is her silence justified? (ch. 8)
Describe how Pearl instinctively responds to Dimmesdale. (Ch 8)
Explain the townspeople’s initial reaction to Chillingworth, and how their view changed throughout the story. (ch. 9)
What physical changes take place to Chillingworth? What is the cause of these physical changes? (ch. 9)
What rumors concerning Chillingworth have found their way to the town of Boston? (ch. 9)
List the events that took place after Chillingworth drugged Dimmesdale. (ch. 10)
What does Chillingworth wonder about Pearl as he observes her through the window? (ch. 10)
How does Dimmesdale feel about Chillingworth? Does he have evidence to support his thoughts? (ch. 11)
Explain the irony that exists between the parishioners’ view of Dimmesdale as Dimmesdale becomes weaker and sicker. (ch.
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Explain how Dimmesdale thought he could purify himself, since he refused to publically confess. (ch. 11)
Describe the three views of the letter A throughout the story. (ch. 2, 12, 13)
On what day does Dimmesdale say he will stand with Hester and Pearl in the light of day? (ch. 12)
What did the sexton find on the scaffold? (ch. 12)
Explain the irony of Dimmesdale standing on the scaffold at night. Why is he there? (ch. 12)
Who heard Dimmesdale’s scream on the scaffold? (ch. 12)
Who sees Dimmesdale, Hester, and Pearl on the scaffold at night? (ch. 12)
Describe how Dimmesdale’s physical decline affected Hester. How did she decide to help him? (ch. 14)
How does Hester believe she will be rid of the letter A? (ch. 14)
What answer does Hester give Pearl concerning the reason she wears the scarlet letter? (ch. 15)
What reasons does Hester give Pearl as to why she wears the letter A? (ch. 15)
Describe Dimmesdale’s initial reaction to Hester’s news concerning Chillingworth’s true identity. (ch. 17)
What is the setting of Hester’s confession to Dimmesdale? (ch. 17)
Explain Hester’s idea as to how she and Dimmesdale can begin a new life. (ch. 17)
What secret plan do Hester and Dimmesdale make? (ch. 17)
What upsets Pearl when she is in the forest with her mom and Dimmesdale? (ch. 19)
Explain what Pearl washed away at the brook side. Why did she wash this off? (ch. 19)
What does Dimmesdale do that clues Chillingworth in that he knows he is Hester’s husband? (ch. 20)
What does Dimmesdale want to complete before he and Hester run away? (ch. 20)
How does Hester know Chillingworth has found out her escape plans? (ch. 22)
What action demonstrates both Pearl and Dimmesdale’s acceptance of each other? (ch. 23)
Why does Chillingworth climb onto the scaffold toward Dimmesdale at the end of the novel? (ch. 23)
Explain how Chillingworth attempts to redeem his behavior at the end of the novel. (ch. 24)
Where do the townspeople bury Hester at the end of the novel? (ch. 24)
What is the setting of the most dramatic scenes in the narrative?
Explain the symbolism of water.
Explain the symbolism of sunshine.
Explain the symbolism of the forest.
Explain the symbolism of the scaffold.
Explain the foreshadowing of Hester’s ‘A’ not reaching the water.
Explain the irony of the Governor’s mansion and what this description depicts to the reader.
Vocabulary (Literary Vocabulary)
1. Idealism
2. Articulate
3. Rational
4. Protruded
5. Deliberation
6. Oblivion
7. Inclination
8. Disposition
9. Tempered
Literary Elements
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Archetype
Theme
Author’s Purpose
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Traversed
Feigned
Successive
Entreated
Subsisted
Calamity
Peril
Habitation
Relent
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Manifold
Recompense
Quench
Ordinances
Constitute
Adversity
Persevere
obstacle
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Chronological Order
Irony
Symbolism
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Foreshadowing
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Whose / who’s
Accept/except
Allusion / illusion
Capitol / capital
9. Effect / Affect
10. Its / It’s
Grammar
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A lot / alot
Affect / Effect
Irregardless / regardless
Their, there, they’re