Questions and Answers
What happens after a few months when Hester is released from prison?
She chooses not to leave Boston and settles in an abandoned cabin.
What is Hester's craft that helps her support herself?
Hester feels constantly accepted by the townspeople.
False
What is Pearl described as during her childhood?
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Hester's daughter Pearl is accepted by other children.
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What does Hester worry about regarding Pearl?
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Who is the governor that Hester visits?
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Who commits adultery in the story?
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Who is the daughter of Hester?
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What symbolizes Hester's shame in her reflection?
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Study Notes
Chapter 5 Summary
- Hester Prynne is released from prison after several months but chooses to stay in Boston.
- Settles in an abandoned cabin on barren land, symbolizing her alienation from society.
- Represents a fallen woman and lives as a cautionary tale to others in the community.
- Supports herself through exceptional needlework, which has a unique beauty that contradicts Puritan standards.
- Created garments for both momentous events and burial, though her craftsmanship is not accepted in marriage.
- Experiences deep loneliness despite helping others through charity work, facing insults and disdain from those she aids.
Chapter 6 Summary
- Hester’s daughter, Pearl, serves as her only source of comfort and is described as beautiful yet sinful.
- Pearl's existence is a product of Hester's sin, marking her as an outcast in Puritan society.
- Inherits Hester's passionate and defiant nature, often causing mischief.
- Hester fears for Pearl's future, as townspeople regard her as an "imp of evil."
- Pearl displays awareness of her and her mother's differences, questioning God and being scorned by local children.
- Creates imaginary companions to cope with isolation and showcases fascination with the scarlet letter.
Chapter 7 Summary
- Hester visits Governor Bellingham’s mansion to deliver gloves and inquire about Pearl's potential removal.
- Rumors suggest Pearl is a demon-child, leading to discussions about taking her away for Hester's and Pearl’s welfare.
- Faces hostility from local children on the way, but Pearl defends them vehemently.
- Governor's mansion is depicted as oppressive and reminiscent of English aristocracy, filled with portraits and armor.
- Hester is shocked to see her scarlet letter reflected in the armor, symbolizing her shame.
- Pearl demands a rose from the bush outside, her desires indicating innocence amidst the surrounding conflict.
Key Characters
- Hester Prynne: Central character, socially ostracized for her sin of adultery.
- Pearl: Hester’s daughter, symbolically linked to her mother's shame and rebellion against societal norms.
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Description
Explore the key events of chapters 5 to 7 in Nathaniel Hawthorne's 'The Scarlet Letter'. This quiz provides flashcards summarizing Hester Prynne's life after imprisonment, her isolation from the community, and the moral implications of her plight. Test your understanding of these crucial chapters and their themes.
