Chapter 16
60. Why hasn’t Hester
ever visited Dimmesdale in his study?
What does Hester’s desired meeting place suggest about the nature of
their relationship?
- It has to be in nature because the forest is dark and represents like sin. She also wants to do it in the forest because its secretive and private.
63. What questions does Pearl repeat throughout chapters 15 and 16? What do these questions suggest about Pearl and about her relationship with her mother?
- Why does Dimmesdale always grab his chest? What does the scarlet letter mean? She doesn't answer these because she is trying to protect Pearl.
- It has to be in nature because the forest is dark and represents like sin. She also wants to do it in the forest because its secretive and private.
63. What questions does Pearl repeat throughout chapters 15 and 16? What do these questions suggest about Pearl and about her relationship with her mother?
- Why does Dimmesdale always grab his chest? What does the scarlet letter mean? She doesn't answer these because she is trying to protect Pearl.
Chapter 17
67. Why does Hester reveal the truth of Chillingworth's identity? How does Dimmesdale react? What is your reaction to his reaction?
- Hester feels like she needs to tell him before Chillingworth does something. At first he was mad and blamed everything on Hester then he warmed up and forgave her. At first I was shocked he was mad but I'm glad he warmed up.
- Hester feels like she needs to tell him before Chillingworth does something. At first he was mad and blamed everything on Hester then he warmed up and forgave her. At first I was shocked he was mad but I'm glad he warmed up.
Chapter 18
69.In the second
paragraph of chapter 18, the narrator uses the phrase “a moral
wilderness.” What is this intended to
describe?
- This is intended to describe Hester's character and everything she's done that make up her.
70. How does “Nature” react when Hester removes the Scarlet Letter? What is the significance of this in light of Pearl’s statement in chapter 16 that “the sunshine does not love” Hester? What thematic message is solidified in this moment? (You might consider the statement in this same paragraph that “Love…must always create a sunshine.”)
- Nature takes a turn. When she takes off the scarlet letter the sun begins to shine on her. Its significant because when she did wear it, the sun didn't. It "ran" from her.
- This is intended to describe Hester's character and everything she's done that make up her.
70. How does “Nature” react when Hester removes the Scarlet Letter? What is the significance of this in light of Pearl’s statement in chapter 16 that “the sunshine does not love” Hester? What thematic message is solidified in this moment? (You might consider the statement in this same paragraph that “Love…must always create a sunshine.”)
- Nature takes a turn. When she takes off the scarlet letter the sun begins to shine on her. Its significant because when she did wear it, the sun didn't. It "ran" from her.
Chapter 19
71.Why is Pearl unable
to share her mother’s joy over the Scarlet Letter’s removal? Why does she insist that Hester put the
Scarlet Letter on again? Why does she
reject Dimmesdale’s kiss?
- They all say that Pearl is the living scarlet letter so when she takes that off it makes it seem like she doesn't want Pearl. Also because she is used to seeing her mom with it on, without it shes different. She rejects the kiss because he won't be public with her and Hester.
- They all say that Pearl is the living scarlet letter so when she takes that off it makes it seem like she doesn't want Pearl. Also because she is used to seeing her mom with it on, without it shes different. She rejects the kiss because he won't be public with her and Hester.
Chapter 20
73. What four temptations
does Dimmesdale face on his way home?
What does Dimmesdale assume is the source of these temptations? What alternate explanation does the narrator
offer? What further explanations for
Dimmesdale’s “temptation” might be apparent to a modern reader? - Having a Conversation with the Deacon in his church, the words that the woman spoke into Dimmesdale's ear, to have sex with a young girl, and that he wanted to teach bad words to young children. I think he feels like he is such a bad person that he should act like one.
74. What does Mistress Hibbins perceive when she meets Dimmesdale? When contrasted against Hester’s meeting with Mistress Hibbins at the end of chapter 8, how does Dimmesdale’s response to her further our understanding of the contrast between the two lovers?
-She asks if they wanted to sign the devils book. They say no, Hester wouldn't because of Pearl.
74. What does Mistress Hibbins perceive when she meets Dimmesdale? When contrasted against Hester’s meeting with Mistress Hibbins at the end of chapter 8, how does Dimmesdale’s response to her further our understanding of the contrast between the two lovers?
-She asks if they wanted to sign the devils book. They say no, Hester wouldn't because of Pearl.