The Scarlet Letter
Notes for Chapters 1-12
Setting
1.
Definition: The time and place of the events in a work of literature
2.
The setting described in Chapter 1 sets the tone of the novel. This is not a happy
fairy tale nor is it a horror story; rather it is a tale about life’s trials and
tribulations and how there is usually a beacon of hope in the midst of despairing
circumstances.
A.
The prison is described as having “weather-stains” and a “gloomy front” with
“unsightly vegetation” growing around it, thus creating “the black flower of
civilized society” image.
B.
The rosebush is offered in contrast to the prison and is described as a “sweet
moral blossom” to help “relieve the darkening close of a tale of human frailty
and sorrow.”
3.
This tale is set in Puritan New England, specifically Boston, Massachusetts; mid17th century.
Symbolism
1.
Definition: When something in a literary work stands for itself and something else
2.
Here are some important symbols you need to know.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
The prison
i.
Represents despair and punishment
ii.
Important in establishing the tone of the novel
The rosebush
i.
Represents hope and relief
ii.
Important in establishing the tone of the novel
Sunlight or light in general
i.
Represents truth and honesty
ii.
Can also represent revelation or exposure
The scarlet letter
i.
Represents Hester’s crime
ii.
Has changing meanings: adultery, angel, and able
The scaffold
i.
Represents confession and punishment
ii.
Can also represent shame
Pearl
i.
Her name means “being of great cost”
ii.
She represents Hester’s sin
The forest
i.
Represents the unknown and mystery
ii.
Also associated with evil and the devil
Characters
1.
Definition: A person, animal, or idea in a work of literature
2.
Here are some important characters you need to know.
A.
Minor characters
i.
Governor Bellingham
Commissions a pair of gloves
ii.
Governor Winthrop
Dies on the night a letter A is seen in the sky
iii.
Reverend Wilson
Questions Pearl about her religious training
iv.
Mistress Hibbins
Practices witchcraft; widow of a Puritan magistrate
B.
Main characters
i.
ii.
iii.
Hester Prynne
a.
Chillingworth’s wife and Dimmesdale’s lover
b.
Pearl’s mother
c.
Adulteress who appoints herself a Sister of Mercy
Arthur Dimmesdale
a.
Pastor who commits adultery
b.
Hester’s lover and Pearl’s father
c.
As the story unfolds, his spiritual light “dims”
Roger Chillingworth
a.
Physician (leech) who seeks revenge
b.
Hester’s husband, Roger Prynne
c.
As the story unfolds, he becomes the “dark horse” figure—cold
and calculating, driven by revenge
iv.
Pearl
a.
Hester and Dimmesdale’s daughter
b.
A product of sin
c.
Does not behave like a typical Puritan child
Characterization
1.
Definition: Ways in which an author develops a character (physical description,
thoughts, actions, speech, interaction or response to other characters, etc.)
2.
Here are some important terms you need to know.
A.
Direct characterization
i.
Definition: When the author tells the reader directly about the
character
ii.
Example: “She had dark and abundant hair, so glossy that it threw off
the sunshine with a gleam…”
B.
Indirect characterization
i.
Definition: When the author shows the character in action and lets the
reader draw his own conclusion
ii.
Example: “…Hester Prynne set forth towards the place appointed for
her punishment.”
C.
Protagonist
Definition: Another name for the main character in a work
D.
Antagonist
Definition: Character or force against which the protagonist is pitted
E.
Catharsis
i.
Definition: Emotional cleansing or release
ii.
Example: When Dimmesdale confesses at the end of the novel
Conflict
1.
Definition: Struggle between opposing forces
2.
Here are some important terms you need to know.
A.
Types of conflict (with examples)
i.
Man v. himself (internal)
a.
Dimmesdale trying to come to terms with his sinful relationship
with Hester and his relationship with God
b.
Hester trying to decide how to relate to Pearl and whether or not
to tell Dimmesdale who Chillingworth really is
ii.
Man v. man (external)
a.
Dimmesdale pitted against Chillingworth
b.
Hester trying to act as a buffer between Dimmesdale and
Chillingworth
iii.
Man v. nature (external)
a.
Society’s conflict with their perception of the forest as a
mysterious and evil place
b.
Boston’s real-life struggle against the elements (climate,
weather, etc.) in order to survive
iv.
v.
Man v. society (external)
a.
Hester’s attempt to overcome how society views her
b.
Dimmesdale’s struggle against being the town’s saint
Man v. supernatural (external)
a.
Society’s battle against the evil forces of the devil
b.
All the characters fight for the salvation of their souls
B.
Internal conflict (within oneself)
C.
External conflict (against outside forces)
Theme
1.
Definition: Main idea or moral lesson of a literary work; a general observation
about life or human nature; usually stated as a single sentence
2.
Here are the four themes you need to know.
A.
Revenge and hatred can destroy a person.
This theme is exemplified best by Roger Chillingworth. As his revenge
and hatred for Dimmesdale consumes him, his demeanor becomes
darker, colder. At first perceived by the townspeople as a blessing,
Chillingworth soon is thought to be “Satan’s emissary” allowed to “plot
against [Dimmesdale’s] soul.”
B.
The punishment imposed on us by others may not be as destructive as the
guilt we impose upon ourselves.
This theme is exemplified best by Arthur Dimmesdale. As his spiritual
struggle continues, Dimmesdale attempts to alleviate his angst
through physically destructive means: scourging, fasting, and holding
all night vigils. The guilt-imposed beatings resulting in blood loss
coupled with the lack of nourishment and lack of sleep leave
Dimmesdale emaciated and vulnerable to Chillingworth’s attacks.
C.
Recognition of our own weaknesses may make us ultimately stronger and
more sympathetic to the weaknesses of others.
This theme is exemplified best by Hester Prynne. As she becomes
more intuitively aware of the human nature of others in the town,
Hester realizes that she is not the only one with a sinful nature.
Instead of using this knowledge to tear down others, she provides
comfort and lends an understanding ear.
D.
Deception and secrecy can be destructive.
This theme is exemplified by Roger Chillingworth, Arthur Dimmesdale,
and Hester Prynne. The secrets kept by each are either selfdestructive or destructive for another character.
Point of View: Omniscient Third Person
1.
Definition: The perspective from which the story is told
2.
Here are some key points you need to know.
A.
Narrator is outside the story and can tell us what is happening anywhere in
the story
B.
Narrator knows everything about the characters and events
C.
Narrator can tell us what all the characters are thinking and feeling
Plot
1.
Definition: Series of events in a work of literature
2.
Remember key plot events and items from your study questions.
A.
Taking notes and reviewing Spark Notes or Cliff Notes can help with
remembering these items.
B.
Think about what might look like a good test question to your teacher (such
as the following).
As Dimmesdale grows weaker, his
Hester is not put to death for her crime
reputation _?_.
because she _?_.
A
is examined by his superiors
A
has no husband
B
is marred by suspicion
B
has promised to confess her
C
is raised to saintly stature
D
suffers a decline
lover’s name
C
is innocent
D
was tempted out of loneliness
Chillingworth is first portrayed as _?_.
A
aged and weary
To whom is Hester compared in Ch. 2?
B
gentle and forgiving
A
Joan of Arc
C
intelligent and rational
B
No one
D
savage and cruel
C
Queen Elizabeth
D
The Virgin Mary