The Scarlet Letter Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What is the title of Chapter 11?

The Interior of a Heart

What effect does Reverend Dimmesdale's guilt have upon his popularity in the colony?

His popularity skyrockets and is seen as a miracle of holiness.

What practice does Dimmesdale begin as a result of his guilt?

Begins torturing himself, inflicts pain on himself, fast rigorously and holds vigils.

What is a vigil?

Staying up at night for reflection. Signup and view all the answers

Where does Dimmesdale hold his vigil?

The scaffold. Signup and view all the answers

Why are Hester and Pearl out at night?

Hester went to take measurements for the Governor's robe. Signup and view all the answers

What promise does Dimmesdale refuse to make to Pearl?

He refused to hold hands with Hester and Pearl at noon the next day. Signup and view all the answers

What is miraculous about the meteor?

Radiates very brightly illuminating the town's features as if by a warning from God, makes a trail resembling a red 'A'. Signup and view all the answers

Quote a line that shows Chillingworth as a symbol of Evil.

'Not the less, he shall be mine.' Signup and view all the answers

What is the title of Chapter 13?

Another View of Hester Signup and view all the answers

How old is Pearl in this chapter?

7 Signup and view all the answers

How has the townspeople's view changed toward Hester?

Hester is more active in society; she brings food to the poor, nurses the sick, and is a source of aid in times of trouble. Signup and view all the answers

How has Hester's appearance changed?

She has become a 'bare and harsh' outline of her former self. Signup and view all the answers

What does Hester resolve to do?

Resolves to help Dimmesdale by rescuing him from Chillingworth. Signup and view all the answers

What has happened to Roger Chillingworth in the past 7 years?

He has gone from a soft spoken scholar to a fierce man. Signup and view all the answers

Quote at least one line that directly associates Chillingworth with the devil. Cite the page number.

'In a word, old Roger Chillingworth was a striking evidence of a man's faculty of transforming himself into a devil.' p 159 Signup and view all the answers

What does Hester want Chillingworth to do?

She wants him to reveal his true identity to the minister. Signup and view all the answers

What revelation is she going to make to Reverend Dimmesdale?

To reveal that Chillingworth was her husband. Signup and view all the answers

What effect has Chillingworth had on Dimmesdale? Quote a line to support your answer.

Made Dimmesdale feel weary and uncomfortable. 'He has an influence dwelling always upon him like a curse.' Signup and view all the answers

What is the title of Chapter 15?

Hester and Pearl Signup and view all the answers

How does Hester feel about Chillingworth?

She feels that he is wicked and devilish; she hates him. Signup and view all the answers

What questions does Pearl ask her mother? Why does this trouble Hester?

What the scarlet letter means, why she wears it, and why Dimmesdale holds his hand over his heart; she doesn’t know what to tell her. Signup and view all the answers

Where does Hester plan to meet Dimmesdale? Why?

In the open air, the forest; to tell him the truth. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the scene with Hester and Pearl in the sunlight. What symbolic meaning could the sunlight have? Why does sunlight shine on Pearl and not on Hester?

Sentimental, yet the sun is sporadic in shining; happiness and a new beginning; Pearl has no scarlet letter. Signup and view all the answers

What story has Pearl heard about the 'black man'?

That he haunts the forest and offers his book to be signed in blood. Signup and view all the answers

What does Hester mean when she says, 'Once in my life, I met the Black Man. This scarlet letter is his mark.'

That she signed the black man's book; inflicted upon her by the black man. Signup and view all the answers

Why does Pearl think the minister holds his hand over his heart? How is there symbolic truth in what she says?

She thinks the black man has inflicted his mark on Dimmesdale; in a way, Dimmesdale signed the book with his adultery. Signup and view all the answers

What is the title of Chapter 17?

The Pastor and His Parishioner Signup and view all the answers

How has Dimmesdale's secret sin affected his life? Use a quote to support your answer and cite the page number.

He feels more miserable and guilty. 'Hester, I am most miserable; what can a ruined soul like mine effect towards other souls?' Signup and view all the answers

What is Dimmesdale's 'secret poison, his malignity, infecting all air about him?'

Chillingworth and his presence. Signup and view all the answers

From what does Hester hope to save Dimmesdale by telling him the truth about Chillingworth?

Chillingworth's continual torture of Dimmesdale. Signup and view all the answers

Does Hester still love Dimmesdale? Use a quote to support your answer. Cite page number.

Yes. 'Why should he not speak it? Still so passionately loved.' P183 Signup and view all the answers

What is Dimmesdale's reaction to the truth?

Shocked, but calms down and forgives Hester. Signup and view all the answers

What future plans does Hester suggest to Dimmesdale as a way to escape Chillingworth?

To escape the town, to another village or overseas. Signup and view all the answers

What is the title of Chapter 18?

A Flood of Sunshine Signup and view all the answers

What is Dimmesdale's decision in response to Hester's plea that they leave the colony? Cite a quote and page number to support your answer.

He is happy and optimistic. 'Dimmesdale gazed into Hester's face with a look in which hope and joy shone out.' P189 Signup and view all the answers

Why is the chapter called, 'A Flood of Sunshine'?

In the darkness of Hester, Dimmesdale sees a new hope shine and brightness on them. Signup and view all the answers

What does Hester do that symbolizes putting the past behind them?

She tosses the scarlet letter on the ground and releases her hair cap. Signup and view all the answers

What is the sunshine a symbol of?

New gleaming hope and a better future for Hester and Dimmesdale. Signup and view all the answers

What is the 'magic touch' that effects the transformation when Hester throws down her scarlet letter?

The undoing of her hair cap. Signup and view all the answers

How do you account for Pearl's wildness?

She was born in the wildness, between the adultery of Hester and Dimmesdale. Signup and view all the answers

What is the title of Chapter 19?

The Child at the Brookside Signup and view all the answers

What does Dimmesdale mean when he says, 'Oh, Hester what a thought is that, and how terrible to dread it that my own features were part repeated in her face, and so strikingly that the world might see them!'?

That he feared that people would see that Pearl looked like him. Signup and view all the answers

Why is Pearl upset when her mother calls her?

She is jealous of Dimmesdale and Hester together and does not see the scarlet letter. Signup and view all the answers

What is Pearl's reaction to Dimmesdale? How is Pearl a symbol for Hester and Dimmesdale?

She is jealous and doesn't like him; she is a symbol of the unusual union between Hester and Dimmesdale. Signup and view all the answers

What is the title of Chapter 20?

The Minister in a Maze Signup and view all the answers

Where have Hester and Dimmesdale decided to go when they leave Boston? Why do they choose to go to Europe rather than remain in the New World?

Europe; it is more sheltering and concealing than America. Signup and view all the answers

How does it happen that Hester is acquainted with the captain of the ship now in the harbor?

Through her charity work. Signup and view all the answers

Why does Dimmesdale consider it fortunate that the ship is not to sail for 4 days?

It gave him time to retire from his career. Signup and view all the answers

When Mistress Hibbens offers to introduce Dimmesdale to 'yonder potentate you wot of,' to whom is she referring?

The black man. Signup and view all the answers

What have the crowds of people gathered in the marketplace to witness?

The election day ceremonies and celebration. Signup and view all the answers

Of what ceremony in England was the Election Day pageantry a pale imitation?

The royal coronation. Signup and view all the answers

What piece of unwelcome news does the master of the ship on which she, Pearl, and Dimmesdale are to sail have for Hester?

Chillingworth would be on the ship. Signup and view all the answers

What is particularly noticeable about Dimmesdale's manner as he walks in the procession?

He seemed more strong and able, but his mind is elsewhere. Signup and view all the answers

Where does Hester stand during the procession and during Dimmesdale's sermon in the church?

Beside the scaffold. Signup and view all the answers

What does Dimmesdale appear as he leaves the church after his triumphant sermon?

Feeble and pale. Signup and view all the answers

How does Pearl react when Dimmesdale calls Hester and herself to mount the scaffold with him?

She flocks to and embraces Dimmesdale. Signup and view all the answers

Where, according to Chillingworth, is the one place where Dimmesdale could have successfully escaped him?

The scaffold. Signup and view all the answers

What were some of the conjectures made by parishioners as to the origin of the minister's scarlet letter?

Dimmesdale did it to himself, Chillingworth did it with black magic, his guilt manifested itself. Signup and view all the answers

What explanation for the events of Election Day is made by the minister's friends to make him seem blameless?

Dimmesdale was using it to teach a lesson about sinning. Signup and view all the answers

How would you account for Dimmesdale's different ways of carrying himself before and after the sermon?

It drains all of his energy. Signup and view all the answers

Explain why Chillingworth desperately tries to stop Dimmesdale from confessing his sins on the scaffold. What do you think Dimmesdale means when he describes his and Hester's sin as violating 'our reverence for each other's soul'?

He wants to continue to torture Dimmesdale to get his vengeance. Signup and view all the answers

What insight is possessed by Chillingworth, Dimmesdale, and Mistress Hibbens regarding sin?

Dimmesdale's sin made him physically ill, but still had to uphold his position as a preacher. He knows if the community found out that he had committed such a sin, he would be looked at differently and have to pay for his crime. He suppressed his guilt, over both his sin and the fact that Hester refuses to name her lover, and that is when he becomes physically sick. He submerges himself in his work in writing sermons. His congregation admired him for his spiritual insight, but internally, he is spiritually stricken, and heartsick which made him sick from his sin. Chillingworth turns into an obsessed stalker of Hester and Dimmesdale. He developed an evil nature and wanted revenge. Chillingworth and Hester did not share a loving marriage, and when he returned, all he wanted to do was to hurt people. Chillingworth's revenge was blacker than sin. Mistress Hibbins was a widow who lived with her brother, Governor Bellingham. She was known to be a witch who would venture into the forest at night to meet with the 'Black Man.' Her character in the book was of false claims and hidden evil in a Puritan society. Her arrivals were mysterious and would set off regret in Dimmesdale and Hester. Signup and view all the answers

Cite passages that indicate the isolation of the three major characters: Hester, Dimmesdale, Chillingworth.

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Explain briefly Hawthorne's use of the following as symbols: the scaffold, the forest, weeds, and poisonous plants.

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Some readers believe that the elaborate decoration that Hester embroiders on the scarlet letter indicates her rejection of the community's view of her act. Do you agree or disagree? Explain.

I disagree with this statement. Hester shows that she knows what her punishment is and that she got a lucky break. She stays in town and accepts the ridicule that comes with her punishment. People treat her poorly and she expected it. Hester did not defy or try to lessen her punishment by crafting an elaborate letter; she merely embraces it. Signup and view all the answers

Find 2 examples of verbal irony, 2 examples of dramatic irony, and 2 examples of situation irony in the novel.

One irony was that the scarlet letter was supposed to bring humility, yet the way she decorated the letter with gold was all but humble. Another irony is that the scarlet letter was of the color scarlet, which can be seen as the color of power or royalty. Another example is at the end where Dimmesdale walked back into the village after talking to Hester in the forest. He suddenly wanted to do wicked things, to mock the very people that mocked Hester. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Chapter Summaries and Key Points

Chapter 11: "The Interior of a Heart" explores Reverend Dimmesdale's overwhelming guilt, which paradoxically elevates his popularity in the colony.
Dimmesdale tortures himself as a form of penance, subjecting himself to pain, rigorous fasting, and sleepless vigils.
Chapter 12: "The Minister's Vigil" depicts Dimmesdale's night vigil on the scaffold, reflecting deep internal turmoil.
A vigil is described as a night spent in reflection, specifically as observed by Dimmesdale on the scaffold.
Hester Prynne and Pearl are out at night as Hester collects measurements for the Governor's robe.
Dimmesdale refuses to promise Pearl he will hold hands with her and Hester the following day, highlighting his internal conflict.
A meteor appears in the sky, seen as a divine warning, creating a trail resembling a red "A."
Chillingworth is symbolically depicted as evil with the assertion, "Not the less, he shall be mine."

Character Developments

Chapter 13: "Another View of Hester" reveals Hester's growth into a supportive figure in the community, aiding the poor and sick.
Hester's appearance has deteriorated, becoming a "bare and harsh" version of her former self.
She resolves to save Dimmesdale from Chillingworth's manipulation.
Chapter 14: "Hester and the Physician" shows Chillingworth's transformation from a gentle scholar to a menacing figure, associating him with the devil.

Relationships and Conflicts

Hester urges Chillingworth to reveal his identity to Dimmesdale, sparking tension and moral conflict.
Hester's perspective of Chillingworth shifts, viewing him now as wicked and devilish.
Pearl's questions about the scarlet letter and Dimmesdale's gesture highlight Hester's struggle to explain their situation to her daughter.

Major Themes and Symbols

Chapter 16: "A Forest Walk" illustrates Hester's plan to reveal the truth to Dimmesdale in the forest, symbolizing hope and freedom.
Sunlight becomes a powerful symbol, representing joy and new beginnings, shining on Pearl but not Hester, due to her scarlet letter.
Pearl regards the "black man" as a forest specter, reflecting the nature of the hidden sins in their lives.
Chapter 17: "The Pastor and His Parishioner" details Dimmesdale's misery from his concealed sin and his complex relationship with Hester.

Pivotal Moments

Dimmesdale's reaction upon learning the truth about Chillingworth is one of shock, yet he finds forgiveness for Hester.
Hester suggests fleeing the town to escape Chillingworth's hold, igniting hope for a new life.
Chapter 18: "A Flood of Sunshine" reflects a revitalizing moment for Hester and Dimmesdale as they envision an escape, symbolized by Hester casting away her scarlet letter.
Light signifies a brighter future, countering the burden of their past.

Final Developments

Chapter 21: "The New England Holiday" depicts the Election Day festivities and the community's reverence for Dimmesdale amid his personal turmoil.
Dimmesdale’s public display contrasts with his pale appearance after his sermon, representing the toll of his internal struggle.
Chillingworth attempts to thwart Dimmesdale's confession, desiring to uphold control over his victim even at a moment of revelation.

Reflection on Consequences of Sin

Dimmesdale's secret sin creates a profound sense of isolation, worsening his physical and mental health.
Hester embodies the societal punishment, experiencing alienation as she raises Pearl in a community that scorns her.
Chillingworth transforms into a figure consumed by revenge, representing the destructive nature of hidden sin.

Symbolism Analysis

The scaffold symbolizes judgment, truth, and the public acknowledgment of sin.
The forest serves as a refuge where truth can emerge, contrasting the oppressive Puritan society.
Weeds and poisonous plants represent moral decay and the hidden nature of sin in their lives.

Irony in the Narrative

The scarlet letter's design becomes a symbol of Hester's resilience rather than humility, representing her complex relationship with her punishment.
Situational irony arises as Dimmesdale, designed as a moral leader, secretly bears the weight of his sin while the community idolizes him.

Overall Themes

Sin leads to alienation and deeper understanding of moral complexities.
The narrative intricately ties personal choices, societal judgment, and the quest for redemption.
Hawthorne crafts an examination of the human condition through symbolism and character arcs, exposing the duality of sin and its ramifications in a divided society.

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Description

Explore the key concepts from Nathaniel Hawthorne's 'The Scarlet Letter' through flashcards covering chapters 1 to 23. This quiz will help you understand important themes and characters, particularly focusing on Reverend Dimmesdale's guilt and its implications in the story.