Study Guide – The Scarlet Letter



Study Guide – The Scarlet Letter

Some themes to think about as you read the book:

A. Is Hester a heroine? Some consider her to be the first heroine in American Literature

B. How love and hate can engender destructive passions

C. The relationship, often conflicting, between good and evil

D. Passion vs moral growth

E. The individual vs society

F. The Christian process of sin-isolation-suffering-reunion, in all its variations

G. The tragedy of irreconcilable moral viewpoints

H. The harshness of Puritanism

I. How confession is good for the soul

Be able to discuss these aspects of the book as they are listed above. The Scarlet Letter is an intellectual challenge for you. It is hoped you will enjoy it or at least appreciate it. Many students have done both.

Day 3: Homework

Read 3. “The Recognition,” pp. 57-66. Write down and answer the following questions:

1. There is much foreshadowing in this chapter. What evidence do you see: (1) in the reactions of the strange, dark man Hester recognizes in the crowd and Hester’s reaction to him. (2) in his statement: “- -he will be known!- - he will be known!”

2. Notice how hard the leaders of the colony are, even threatening to force Hester to name her lover. One man is more compassionate. Who is he? What is he like?

3. Why does Hawthorne say that “out of the whole of the human family, it would not have been easy to select the same number of wise and virtuous persons, who should be less capable of sitting in judgment on an erring woman’s heart?”

4. What does Dimmesdale suggest on could be the reason for the baby’s father’s failure to step forward?

5. What do we learn of Dimmesdale in this chapter?

6. What is the baby Pearl’s reaction to the young minister?

7. Is Hester willing to endure the shame to save the father?

8. Notice the supernatural manifestation in the last sentence. What does it tell the readers?

Read 4. “The Interview,” pp. 67-74. Be able to answer these questions:

1. At the entrance of Roger Chillingworth in the prison cell, how do Hester’s and Pearl’s reactions change?

2. Notice how cruel the jailer is, saying he almost could stop the hysteria himself. How would he have done it?

3. Why is Hester afraid to take the herbal medicine?

4. Who is Chillingworth really?

5. What reason does he give for not harming Hester?

6. Who is the black man who haunts the forest?

7. Whose soul does Chillingworth propose to ruin?

8. What promise does Chillingworth exact from Hester?

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