Chapter 1
2. What is the significance (symbolic, thematic, or otherwise) of the rosebush outside the prison door?
-The rose bush was significant because it symbolizes the beauty of Hester's life. It sat outside the prison door to represent that once you go in life isn't great and is quite miserable.
-The rose bush was significant because it symbolizes the beauty of Hester's life. It sat outside the prison door to represent that once you go in life isn't great and is quite miserable.
Chapter 2
4. What is Hester’s first action in the novel and what does it reveal about her character? Describe her demeanor as she emerges from the prison.
-The first action Hester does in the novel is walk out of the prison holding her baby close to her. Her demeanor when she walks out of the prison is she is ashamed.
5. According to the narrator, what is the greatest “outrage…against our common nature”? Do you agree? How might this opinion on the part of the narrator shape the telling of this story?
- The greatest outrage is "forbid the culprit to hide his face for shame; as i was the essence of this punishment to do." I disagree, because if someone does a crime they should pay the time and be punished. This shapes up the story because Hester sins and has to face a punishment and she does.
-The first action Hester does in the novel is walk out of the prison holding her baby close to her. Her demeanor when she walks out of the prison is she is ashamed.
5. According to the narrator, what is the greatest “outrage…against our common nature”? Do you agree? How might this opinion on the part of the narrator shape the telling of this story?
- The greatest outrage is "forbid the culprit to hide his face for shame; as i was the essence of this punishment to do." I disagree, because if someone does a crime they should pay the time and be punished. This shapes up the story because Hester sins and has to face a punishment and she does.
Chapter 3
7. Describe the stranger standing next to the Indian during Hester’s punishment.
- Hester recognizes a man, who looked like a friend. He was a white man wearing strange clothes.
9. Describe Reverend Dimmesdale. What are his most significant physical features and what do they suggest about his personality and even his soul?
- Reverend Dimmesdale is a minister of the town. He's a nice man & everyone in town loves him and looks up to him. He is a religious white man with brown eyes & is a very wise speaker.
10. What argument does Dimmesdale use to try convince Hester to name her “fellow-sinner”? How does Hester respond? How does her child respond?
-He basically says if you tell you won't be punished more. He also says she shouldn't not tell them because silence will just cause him to do more sins, and keep him out of trouble. In that case would be a favor to him. Hester still doesn't tell.
11. Why does Hester say the scarlet letter can never be removed from her breast?
- She says " it is too deeply branded. Ye cannot take it off. And would that I might endure his agony, as well as mine!" This is saying she can't remove it, that it is like part of her. If she could she would make him suffer like she has to also.
- Hester recognizes a man, who looked like a friend. He was a white man wearing strange clothes.
9. Describe Reverend Dimmesdale. What are his most significant physical features and what do they suggest about his personality and even his soul?
- Reverend Dimmesdale is a minister of the town. He's a nice man & everyone in town loves him and looks up to him. He is a religious white man with brown eyes & is a very wise speaker.
10. What argument does Dimmesdale use to try convince Hester to name her “fellow-sinner”? How does Hester respond? How does her child respond?
-He basically says if you tell you won't be punished more. He also says she shouldn't not tell them because silence will just cause him to do more sins, and keep him out of trouble. In that case would be a favor to him. Hester still doesn't tell.
11. Why does Hester say the scarlet letter can never be removed from her breast?
- She says " it is too deeply branded. Ye cannot take it off. And would that I might endure his agony, as well as mine!" This is saying she can't remove it, that it is like part of her. If she could she would make him suffer like she has to also.
Chapter 4
13. What does Chillingworth mean when he says to Hester, “We have wronged each other”?
- He means that they have both betrayed and did something wrong to another.
- He means that they have both betrayed and did something wrong to another.
Chapter 5
16. The narrator gives two reasons for Hester’s refusal to leave New England, one that is authentic and one that Hester fabricates as a “self-delusion.” Explain each one and what it reveals about Hester’s character.
- Her authentic reason is New England is her hometown and not only that she was married there too. Her "Self-delusion" reason was because she committed a sin and was gonna live out her punishment there and not run away from it. This reveals that Hester is a nice woman who doesn't run away from her problems.
17. Where does Hester live after her leaving the prison? What is significant about this location?
- After prison Hester and Pearl live on the verge of the peninsula. Its significant because its away from the town and everybody that talked bad about her and Pearl.
20. What new and special power does the scarlet letter seem to give Hester? What is Hester’s reaction to this newfound ability?
- It gives her sympathetic knowledge, which allows her to see sins in other peoples hearts. Hester's reaction to it is she doesn't like it and is terrified.
- Her authentic reason is New England is her hometown and not only that she was married there too. Her "Self-delusion" reason was because she committed a sin and was gonna live out her punishment there and not run away from it. This reveals that Hester is a nice woman who doesn't run away from her problems.
17. Where does Hester live after her leaving the prison? What is significant about this location?
- After prison Hester and Pearl live on the verge of the peninsula. Its significant because its away from the town and everybody that talked bad about her and Pearl.
20. What new and special power does the scarlet letter seem to give Hester? What is Hester’s reaction to this newfound ability?
- It gives her sympathetic knowledge, which allows her to see sins in other peoples hearts. Hester's reaction to it is she doesn't like it and is terrified.