Chapter 6
22. How does the narrator account for Pearl's wild and untamed character?
- The narrator makes Pearl look wild and untamed because Hester calls her a demon child and is there to remind Hester of the sin she committed.
24. What purpose might the mother-daughter conflict play in the novel?
- To show that they may not get along but they are all each other have.
- The narrator makes Pearl look wild and untamed because Hester calls her a demon child and is there to remind Hester of the sin she committed.
24. What purpose might the mother-daughter conflict play in the novel?
- To show that they may not get along but they are all each other have.
Chapter 7
26. Describe Pearl's dress and comment on its significance.
- Pearl's dress is red with gold embroiders. The dress is similar to the scarlet letter A on Hester's chest. The significance of this was to show that Pearl was Hester's consequence of her sin.
27. Describe the construction and furnishing of Governor Bellingham's mansion. What does it reveal about Puritan culture?
- The mansion was very nice and very clean. It reveals that Puritans are very fancy, elegant, and clean.
- Pearl's dress is red with gold embroiders. The dress is similar to the scarlet letter A on Hester's chest. The significance of this was to show that Pearl was Hester's consequence of her sin.
27. Describe the construction and furnishing of Governor Bellingham's mansion. What does it reveal about Puritan culture?
- The mansion was very nice and very clean. It reveals that Puritans are very fancy, elegant, and clean.
Chapter 8
29. What reason does the Governor give for taking Pearl from her mother? How does he “examine” Pearl and for what purpose? How do Pearl’s responses strengthen the elders’ biases against her and Hester?
- He wants to take Pearl away because he doesn't want another Hester. He does think its a good idea so Hester can teach her to be Puritan like. The Governor asks Pearl questions about her religion. But she refuses to answer which gave them more of a reason to take Pearl away from Hester.
30. What reason does Hester give for her need to keep Pearl? Who supports her plea and why?
- She says Pearl is a reminder of her sin she has committed and its a mothers right to teach her child to be Puritan like. The minister supports her because she already doesn't have a father.
- He wants to take Pearl away because he doesn't want another Hester. He does think its a good idea so Hester can teach her to be Puritan like. The Governor asks Pearl questions about her religion. But she refuses to answer which gave them more of a reason to take Pearl away from Hester.
30. What reason does Hester give for her need to keep Pearl? Who supports her plea and why?
- She says Pearl is a reminder of her sin she has committed and its a mothers right to teach her child to be Puritan like. The minister supports her because she already doesn't have a father.
Chapter 9
33.How does Chillingworth make a place for himself in Boston society? Why are we as readers suspicious of his professional and social motivations? Why does this suspicion seem to be absent from the narrator’s tone?
- He comes to town saying he's a doctor. They are suspicious if he's actually a doctor and if he is, if he's an evil doctor. The narrator makes us suspicious because he offers Hester a "cup of medicine."
36. What biblical stories are portrayed in the decorations of Dimmesdale's room? What themes or issues are suggested by these stories?
- Biblical stories that are portrayed by the decorations in his room are David, Bathseba, and Nathan. They suggest that Dimmesdale has committed similar sins to them.
- He comes to town saying he's a doctor. They are suspicious if he's actually a doctor and if he is, if he's an evil doctor. The narrator makes us suspicious because he offers Hester a "cup of medicine."
36. What biblical stories are portrayed in the decorations of Dimmesdale's room? What themes or issues are suggested by these stories?
- Biblical stories that are portrayed by the decorations in his room are David, Bathseba, and Nathan. They suggest that Dimmesdale has committed similar sins to them.
Chapter 10
40. Summarize the disagreement between Chillingworth and Dimmesdale over the confession of sin. What are the points of view offered by each man? Why does Dimmesdale leave the room? What is the larger significance of this conversation?
- The disagreement came up because of a plant. Chillingworth says the person was buried and the plant grew because he didn't confess sins and Dimmesdale thinks its okay to keep a secret after death. He leaves because he feels guilty. That they are both referring to the same sin.
42. What important discovery does Chillingworth make while Dimmesdale is sleeping? How does the narrator describe Chillingworth’s joy and why is this description meaningful?
- He finds the reason why Dimmesdale holds his heart a lot. He has a cut of the scarlet letter on his chest. He is joyful because he has found out who the baby daddy is.
- The disagreement came up because of a plant. Chillingworth says the person was buried and the plant grew because he didn't confess sins and Dimmesdale thinks its okay to keep a secret after death. He leaves because he feels guilty. That they are both referring to the same sin.
42. What important discovery does Chillingworth make while Dimmesdale is sleeping? How does the narrator describe Chillingworth’s joy and why is this description meaningful?
- He finds the reason why Dimmesdale holds his heart a lot. He has a cut of the scarlet letter on his chest. He is joyful because he has found out who the baby daddy is.