Chapter 11
44. How
does Dimmesdale’s suffering affect his work as a clergyman? What is the public reaction when
Dimmesdale “confesses” his sinfulness from the pulpit? Describe and analyze the narrator’s tone
toward Dimmesdale as he describes this confession.
- Dimmesdale feels guilty and has a hard time coping with this issue. The town still thinks he is going to heaven even though he confessed. The narrator uses an ashamed tone for when he confesses.
- Dimmesdale feels guilty and has a hard time coping with this issue. The town still thinks he is going to heaven even though he confessed. The narrator uses an ashamed tone for when he confesses.
Chapter 12
46. Why does Dimmesdale go to stand on the scaffold?
- He goes and stands on the scaffold because he feels guilty and deserves to stand up there.
49. What question does Pearl ask Dimmesdale? What is his answer? Why is this interaction significant?
- Pearl asks if he will stand up there with her and Hester the next day all together and he says no not til judgement day. Its significant because he basically is saying he can't and won't confess and that Pearl wants him to.
50. What “sign” appears in the sky? How is it described? What two interpretations are offered by which characters?
- A meteor goes across the sky. It forms a red A. By the towns people they think it means Angel but for them they thought of it as a sign of guilt.
- He goes and stands on the scaffold because he feels guilty and deserves to stand up there.
49. What question does Pearl ask Dimmesdale? What is his answer? Why is this interaction significant?
- Pearl asks if he will stand up there with her and Hester the next day all together and he says no not til judgement day. Its significant because he basically is saying he can't and won't confess and that Pearl wants him to.
50. What “sign” appears in the sky? How is it described? What two interpretations are offered by which characters?
- A meteor goes across the sky. It forms a red A. By the towns people they think it means Angel but for them they thought of it as a sign of guilt.
Chapter 13
53. How has Hester’s position in the community changed? How is this linked to any change in the townspeople’s perception of the scarlet letter’s symbolism? Explain the narrator’s comment that “the scarlet letter had not done its office.”
- She is now known as someone who helps out, is caring and is less alienated. More people start to view the A as Able instead of Adultery. That quote means the scarlet letter didn't fullfil its rightful job that they planned on it doing.
54. Describe the changes in Hester’s appearance and temperament that have come as a result of wearing the scarlet letter. Include an explanation of how her view on womanhood has changed.
- She is starting to act more and more like a Puritan lady.
- She is now known as someone who helps out, is caring and is less alienated. More people start to view the A as Able instead of Adultery. That quote means the scarlet letter didn't fullfil its rightful job that they planned on it doing.
54. Describe the changes in Hester’s appearance and temperament that have come as a result of wearing the scarlet letter. Include an explanation of how her view on womanhood has changed.
- She is starting to act more and more like a Puritan lady.
Chapter 14
56. During his conversation with Hester, what opinion of Dimmesdale’s character does Chillingworth offer? Why does he refuse to leave him alone? Why does he insist that Dimmesdale has “increased the debt”?
- He refuses to leave him alone because he is still trying to figure out a revenge. Chillingworth basically says that he has increased the debt because Dimmesdale lets him be near him.
- He refuses to leave him alone because he is still trying to figure out a revenge. Chillingworth basically says that he has increased the debt because Dimmesdale lets him be near him.
Chapter 15
59. Explain
Hester’s statement, “If this be the price of the child’s sympathy, I
cannot pay it.” Later, in chapter
16, what does the narrator say Pearl
needs in order to “make her capable of sympathy”?
- She says this because Pearl is always asking about it. She says she is not going to tell her because she is too young. The narrator says she needs grief before she can go ahead and tell her.
- She says this because Pearl is always asking about it. She says she is not going to tell her because she is too young. The narrator says she needs grief before she can go ahead and tell her.