Questions and Answers
Hester's face is compared to what?
A mask; like the frozen calmness of a dead woman's features.
Pearl resembles the 'shimmer of a ________'.
diamond
Where does Hester plan to throw the letter?
The ocean
Who is Master Brackett?
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What does Pearl ask Hester if Dimmesdale will do?
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Pearl refers to Dimmesdale as 'a ____________, sad man.'
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How were important holidays treated in England?
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Who is not allowed at the Election procession?
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What sport, the most manly and great of all sports in all of human history, is performed on Election day?
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What other two groups are present amongst the townspeople?
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What are sailors allowed to do in town that others can't?
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What bad news does the ship captain give Hester?
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What is Chillingworth doing as Hester spots him across the street?
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Pearl floats along like what as she listens to the parade music?
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What returns Pearl to her former mood?
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The officials are powerful but 'not often ________'.
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What is different about Dimmesdale as he walks in the procession?
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What is Dimmesdale unable to do as he walks along?
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What does Hester think of as she witnesses Dimmesdale go by?
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If Pearl had recognized Dimmesdale, she says she would have done what?
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Who first approaches Hester to speak?
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Hibbins knows that Dimmesdale has been where?
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Hibbins tells Pearl she is descended from whom?
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Where does Hester stand as Dimmesdale delivers his Election Sermon?
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Whose nature is wilder than Pearl's?
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What does the captain give Pearl?
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The captain says that who is paying for Dimmesdale's voyage?
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What do the Indians assume as they look at Hester?
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How does the letter physically affect Hester during these final hours of wearing it?
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What is the subject of Dimmesdale's sermon?
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How does Dimmesdale's speech differ from that of old prophets?
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The people see Dimmesdale as what?
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What occurs that is nothing like anything that has ever occurred in New England before?
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Who first tries to aid Dimmesdale?
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Dimmesdale asks Hester and Pearl to join him where?
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Dimmesdale tells Chillingworth, 'Methinks thou are too ________.'
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Dimmesdale asks Hester to 'twine thy __________ about me!'
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Dimmesdale asks Hester, 'Is this not _______?'
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Dimmesdale declares, 'behold me here, the one __________ of the world!'
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After Dimmesdale collapses, Chillingworth sits beside him and says what?
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What does Dimmesdale request of Pearl?
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Hester wants to know if she and Dimmesdale will meet where?
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The first group of witnesses of what transpired on the scaffold saw what on Dimmesdale's chest?
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Some feel that Dimmesdale's mark was made by whom?
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Another group claims that Dimmesdale never had a mark on him and that his chest was as clean as what?
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People interpret Dimmesdale's final moments as illustrating that 'we are ______ all alike.'
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What does the narrator say that the moral or theme of the tale is?
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Chillingworth is said to have disappeared like a '__________ that lies wilting in the sun.'
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What two emotions both suffer when their subject is removed?
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What happens within a year of Dimmesdale's death?
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To whom does Chillingworth bequeath his land and possessions?
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Some say they see Hester where?
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What is the evidence that Hester may have been loved by someone from far away?
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Who visited Hester after Dimmesdale's death for comfort and advice?
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In time, what 'new truth' will be revealed?
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An angel and apostle will eventually show us how what can make us happy?
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It is said that two sunken graves are dug where?
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What do Hester and Dimmesdale share in death?
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What is inscribed on the tombstone?
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Study Notes
The Scarlet Letter: Chapters 21-24 Highlights
- Hester's face is likened to the stillness of a dead woman's features, emphasizing her emotional turmoil.
- Pearl is described as resembling "the shimmer of a diamond," signifying her unique and radiant nature.
- Hester intends to throw away the scarlet letter into the ocean, symbolizing a desire for freedom and a new beginning.
- Master Brackett serves as the old jailer within the community's justice system.
- Pearl questions whether Dimmesdale will reach out to her in public as he does in private, showcasing her yearning for connection.
- Dimmesdale is referred to as "a strange, sad man" by Pearl, highlighting his internal struggles.
- Celebrations in England, such as bonfires and banquets, emphasize the cultural significance and communal joy during important holidays.
- The Election procession excludes theatrical types, reflecting societal values and norms surrounding public celebrations.
- Wrestling matches are highlighted as the most esteemed sport of Election day, showcasing male camaraderie and competition.
- Townspeople include Native Americans and sailors, bringing diverse cultural elements to the community.
- Sailors possess unique privileges to smoke tobacco and drink in town, differentiating them from other citizens.
- Hester receives troubling news from the ship’s captain that Chillingworth will join them on their journey, heightening her anxiety.
- Chillingworth is observed staring and smiling at Hester, indicating his manipulative and watchful nature.
- Pearl moves gracefully like a seabird while listening to the parade music, symbolizing her vibrant spirit.
- The return of sunlight's shimmer on armor lifts Pearl’s mood, highlighting the power of beauty and nature.
- The officials in the procession are powerful yet not often seen as brilliant, reflecting their moral and intellectual limitations.
- Dimmesdale’s lively pace in the procession suggests newfound strength and confidence, contrasting his previous frailty.
- Hampered by guilt, Dimmesdale struggles to openly acknowledge Hester and Pearl as he walks among the crowd.
- Memories of the dim forest and shared times with Dimmesdale haunt Hester as she witnesses his procession.
- Pearl claims she would run to Dimmesdale and kiss him if she recognized him, showcasing her innocence and longing for affection.
- Mistress Hibbins is the first to approach Hester, indicating themes of witchcraft and social hierarchy.
- Hibbins suggests Dimmesdale has been in the forest, hinting at the secrecy of their meetings and the transcendence of nature.
- Hibbins remarks that Pearl descends from the "prince of the air," suggesting a mystical heritage.
- Hester stands by the scaffold of the pillory as Dimmesdale preaches his Election Sermon, linking her to public shame.
- Pearl’s nature is described as wilder than her mother's, representing freedom and untamed spirit.
- The captain gifts Pearl a gold chain, symbolizing wealth but also her connection to legitimacy.
- The captain asserts that Arthur Dimmesdale has financed his voyage, revealing hidden societal connections.
- The Indians speculate on Hester’s nobility among her people, showcasing their perception of her status.
- Wearing the letter intensifies Hester's suffering, illustrating the deep emotional pain associated with her shame.
- Dimmesdale's sermon centers on the divine and the moral aspects of humanity, suggesting hope amidst guilt.
- Dimmesdale’s hopeful prophecy for the people contrasts with the ruin foreseen by old prophets, reflecting a shift in narrative tone.
- The crowd perceives Dimmesdale as an angel, illustrating their idealization of him and misunderstanding of his plight.
- A unique phenomenon occurs as the shouts of the people intensify, marking an extraordinary moment in New England’s history.
- John Wilson attempts to aid Dimmesdale, representing the communal concern for leadership and well-being.
- Dimmesdale summons Hester and Pearl to join him on the scaffold, culminating in a pivotal moment of revelation.
- He remarks to Chillingworth about his late arrival, indicating his foreboding intuition of fate.
- Dimmesdale urges Hester to "twine thy strength about me," signifying their intertwined fates.
- Dimmesdale expresses, "Is this not better?" as he grapples with the concepts of truth and acceptance.
- He dramatically declares himself the "one sinner of the world," showcasing his burden of guilt and public confession.
- Upon collapsing, Chillingworth chillingly claims, "Thou hast escaped me," revealing the culmination of his malevolence.
- Dimmesdale asks Pearl for a kiss, highlighting a moment of connection amidst chaos and revelation.
- Hester wonders if they will reunite in "heaven or hell," reflecting her despair and hope for redemption.
- Witnesses observe a scarlet letter on Dimmesdale’s chest, a physical manifestation of his guilt and connection to Hester.
- Some believe Dimmesdale’s mark was influenced by Chillingworth, highlighting themes of manipulation.
- Others assert Dimmesdale’s chest was clear, likening it to a newborn's, signifying purity amid sin.
- The interpretation of Dimmesdale’s final moments suggests that "we are all sinners alike," highlighting the universal human experience.
- The narrator implies an overarching theme regarding moral lessons and societal judgment throughout the tale.
- Chillingworth is said to have vanished like an "uprooted weed," symbolizing the loss of evil in its absence.
- The dual emotions of hatred and love both diminish when their subjects are removed, illustrating the complexity of human relationships.
- Within a year of Dimmesdale's passing, it is revealed that Roger Chillingworth had lied, suggesting the consequences of deceit.
- Chillingworth bequeaths his land and possessions to Pearl, signifying a final twist in heritage and legacy.
- Hester is reported to have been seen at her old seaside cottage, symbolizing a return to her roots and solitude.
- Letters with amorial seals arriving for Hester suggest love from afar, indicating potential for new beginnings.
- Women visit Hester post-Dimmesdale’s death seeking comfort, showcasing the communal bond among women.
- Over time, a "new truth" will be revealed regarding the interconnectedness of happiness and relationships.
- An angel and apostle's message conveys that sacred love ultimately leads to fulfillment and joy.
- Two sunken graves are noted to be near King's Chapel, marking a significant resting place for key characters.
- Hester and Dimmesdale share "the right not to mingle" in death, underscoring their shared secret and eternal bond.
- The final inscription on Dimmesdale’s tombstone reads, "On a field, sable, the Letter A, gules," cementing his legacy and connection to Hester.
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Test your knowledge of the final chapters of Nathaniel Hawthorne's 'The Scarlet Letter' with these flashcards. This quiz covers key themes, characters, and symbolism found between chapters 21 and 24. Perfect for students and literature enthusiasts alike!