Chapter 13:
53. How has Hester’s position in the community changed? How is
this linked to any change in the townspeople’s perception of the scarlet
letter’s symbolism? Explain the narrator’s comment that “the scarlet letter had
not done its office.”
Throughout the years, Hester has been helping the poor and less
fortunate, giving the townspeople a different perspective of her. They have
begun to forgive her, and now see the letter A as standing for “Able”. What the
narrator means by saying, “the scarlet letter had not done its office”, is that
the letter hasn’t done what it is meant to do, its job. The letter is not
punishing Hester as much as it should be.
54. Describe the changes in Hester’s appearance and temperament
that have come as a result of wearing the scarlet letter. Include an explanation
of how her view on womanhood has changed.
Hester’s appearance now looks worse than it has ever before. Her
womanly qualities have gone, and she no longer has her ‘rich and luxuriant”
hair, but now has covered it under a cap. Those youthful good looks are no more;
however, she can “at any moment become a women again, if there were only the
magic touch to effect the transfiguration.” This meaning that she has the choice
to be young, beautiful-looking again.
55. What stimulus gives Hester the courage to confront
Chillingworth, to act on Dimmesdale’s behalf?
After seeing what Chillingworth is doing to Dimmesdale, Hester
confronts Chillingworth. She realizes that the promise not to give
Chillingworth’s identity as her husband was wrong. Hester wises up, and goes to
tell him to stay away from Dimmesdale.
Chapter 14:
56. During his conversation with Hester, what opinion of
Dimmesdale’s character does Chillingworth offer? Why does he refuse to leave him
alone? Why does he insist that Dimmesdale has “increased the
debt”?
The opinion that Chillingworth offers about Dimmesdale is that
Dimmesdale has wronged Chillingworth even though he has done nothing to him.
Chillingworth feels that Dimmesdale has put this suffering upon himself by
hurting Chillingworth. Chilling refuses to leave Dimmesdale alone because he
seeks his revenge on him. He insists that Dimmesdale has “increase the debt”
because he knows that someone is hurting him, but doesn’t know that it is
Chillingworth. He blames Dimmesdale for making him into a devilish fiend, and
feels he deserves the suffering.
Chapter 15:
58. What objective does Pearl make for herself out of grasses
and seaweeds? How is this object given symbolic significance by its differences
from the original?
The object that Pearl proceeds to make with grass and seaweed is
a scarlet letter A, in hopes her mother will see it and question her about. This
object has given symbolic differences from the original because it shows that
Pearl knows something. When Hester asks Pearl if she knows why she wears her
scarlet letter she responds with, “It is for the same reason that the minister
keeps his hand over his heart!” This shows that Pearl sees a connection between
Hester, Dimmesdale, and the scarlet letter.
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?
Hester has never visited Dimmesdale in his study because she
feels ashamed and guilty for what they have done together; moreover, she doesn’t
want to ruin his reputation by allowing others to see them talk, so instead sees
it better they commute amongst the privacy of the wilderness. The significance
of the desired meeting place chosen by Hester shows that their relations in
their sin has not yet been made public to the people, and is still a secret.
61. According to Pearl, why does the sunshine “love” her and not
Hester? Why is Pearl’s observation significant?
According to Pearl the sunshine “loves” her and not Hester
because she wears the scarlet letter. This observation is significant because it
shows that Pearl knows Hester isn’t fully herself because of the letter. Also,
it indicates that Pearl knows that the letter takes from Hester’s life.
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?
The questions that Pearl repeats throughout chapters 15 and 16
are, what does the scarlet letter stand for, and why does Dimmesdale keep his
hand over his chest? She also insists on knowing if Hester and Dimmesdale both
signed their names in the Black Man’s book, and if that’s why they wear a
scarlet letter. This show that Pearl has a curios, but knowing relationship
with her mother because while Pearl isn’t certain of her accusations, she knows
they are all connected.
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 reveals the truth of Chillingworth’s identity to
Dimmesdale because she wants him to know who his real enemy is. She doesn’t want
him to live blindly with Chillingworth any longer. At first, Dimmesdale is angry
and astonished that it has taken Hester seven years to let him know of
Chillingworth. Then, he hits the ground on his knees weeping, realizing it is
also his fault, and forgives Hester. I felt that Dimmesdale is a huge coward
for not taking Hester’s advice and leaving town or confessing just so he can
keep his reputation alive.
68. As Hester and Dimmesdale discuss “what to do” to escape
Chillingworth, what does their conversation reveal about the nature of their
relationship? How is each character strong or weak? In what way does each need
the other?
Hester suggests to Dimmesdale that they move to Europe,
suggesting that her relationship toward him is caring and loving. Him refusing
to go, shows that he is a coward, and doesn’t want to lose his
self-preservation. This shows that Hester is strong because she has confessed
her sins, and is fine with running away. On the other hand, Dimmesdale is week
because he sees his reputation as more important than his and her life together.
Hester and Dimmesdale both need each other because they have been guardians to
each other, protecting one another from all evil
doings.
Chapter 18:
69. In the second paragraph of chapter 18, the narrator uses the
phrase “a moral wilderness.” What is this intended to describe?
The phrase the narrator uses in the second paragraph of the
eighteenth chapter is intended to describe the Puritan society. In the Puritan
Society, many evil is said to be found in the woods at night because of its
mysteriousness and wildness, yet Hester and Dimmesdale find forgiveness in it.
It is described this way to show that Hester and Dimmesdale go against what is
thought to be of the wilderness by the Puritan
society.
53. How has Hester’s position in the community changed? How is
this linked to any change in the townspeople’s perception of the scarlet
letter’s symbolism? Explain the narrator’s comment that “the scarlet letter had
not done its office.”
Throughout the years, Hester has been helping the poor and less
fortunate, giving the townspeople a different perspective of her. They have
begun to forgive her, and now see the letter A as standing for “Able”. What the
narrator means by saying, “the scarlet letter had not done its office”, is that
the letter hasn’t done what it is meant to do, its job. The letter is not
punishing Hester as much as it should be.
54. Describe the changes in Hester’s appearance and temperament
that have come as a result of wearing the scarlet letter. Include an explanation
of how her view on womanhood has changed.
Hester’s appearance now looks worse than it has ever before. Her
womanly qualities have gone, and she no longer has her ‘rich and luxuriant”
hair, but now has covered it under a cap. Those youthful good looks are no more;
however, she can “at any moment become a women again, if there were only the
magic touch to effect the transfiguration.” This meaning that she has the choice
to be young, beautiful-looking again.
55. What stimulus gives Hester the courage to confront
Chillingworth, to act on Dimmesdale’s behalf?
After seeing what Chillingworth is doing to Dimmesdale, Hester
confronts Chillingworth. She realizes that the promise not to give
Chillingworth’s identity as her husband was wrong. Hester wises up, and goes to
tell him to stay away from Dimmesdale.
Chapter 14:
56. During his conversation with Hester, what opinion of
Dimmesdale’s character does Chillingworth offer? Why does he refuse to leave him
alone? Why does he insist that Dimmesdale has “increased the
debt”?
The opinion that Chillingworth offers about Dimmesdale is that
Dimmesdale has wronged Chillingworth even though he has done nothing to him.
Chillingworth feels that Dimmesdale has put this suffering upon himself by
hurting Chillingworth. Chilling refuses to leave Dimmesdale alone because he
seeks his revenge on him. He insists that Dimmesdale has “increase the debt”
because he knows that someone is hurting him, but doesn’t know that it is
Chillingworth. He blames Dimmesdale for making him into a devilish fiend, and
feels he deserves the suffering.
Chapter 15:
58. What objective does Pearl make for herself out of grasses
and seaweeds? How is this object given symbolic significance by its differences
from the original?
The object that Pearl proceeds to make with grass and seaweed is
a scarlet letter A, in hopes her mother will see it and question her about. This
object has given symbolic differences from the original because it shows that
Pearl knows something. When Hester asks Pearl if she knows why she wears her
scarlet letter she responds with, “It is for the same reason that the minister
keeps his hand over his heart!” This shows that Pearl sees a connection between
Hester, Dimmesdale, and the scarlet letter.
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?
Hester has never visited Dimmesdale in his study because she
feels ashamed and guilty for what they have done together; moreover, she doesn’t
want to ruin his reputation by allowing others to see them talk, so instead sees
it better they commute amongst the privacy of the wilderness. The significance
of the desired meeting place chosen by Hester shows that their relations in
their sin has not yet been made public to the people, and is still a secret.
61. According to Pearl, why does the sunshine “love” her and not
Hester? Why is Pearl’s observation significant?
According to Pearl the sunshine “loves” her and not Hester
because she wears the scarlet letter. This observation is significant because it
shows that Pearl knows Hester isn’t fully herself because of the letter. Also,
it indicates that Pearl knows that the letter takes from Hester’s life.
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?
The questions that Pearl repeats throughout chapters 15 and 16
are, what does the scarlet letter stand for, and why does Dimmesdale keep his
hand over his chest? She also insists on knowing if Hester and Dimmesdale both
signed their names in the Black Man’s book, and if that’s why they wear a
scarlet letter. This show that Pearl has a curios, but knowing relationship
with her mother because while Pearl isn’t certain of her accusations, she knows
they are all connected.
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 reveals the truth of Chillingworth’s identity to
Dimmesdale because she wants him to know who his real enemy is. She doesn’t want
him to live blindly with Chillingworth any longer. At first, Dimmesdale is angry
and astonished that it has taken Hester seven years to let him know of
Chillingworth. Then, he hits the ground on his knees weeping, realizing it is
also his fault, and forgives Hester. I felt that Dimmesdale is a huge coward
for not taking Hester’s advice and leaving town or confessing just so he can
keep his reputation alive.
68. As Hester and Dimmesdale discuss “what to do” to escape
Chillingworth, what does their conversation reveal about the nature of their
relationship? How is each character strong or weak? In what way does each need
the other?
Hester suggests to Dimmesdale that they move to Europe,
suggesting that her relationship toward him is caring and loving. Him refusing
to go, shows that he is a coward, and doesn’t want to lose his
self-preservation. This shows that Hester is strong because she has confessed
her sins, and is fine with running away. On the other hand, Dimmesdale is week
because he sees his reputation as more important than his and her life together.
Hester and Dimmesdale both need each other because they have been guardians to
each other, protecting one another from all evil
doings.
Chapter 18:
69. In the second paragraph of chapter 18, the narrator uses the
phrase “a moral wilderness.” What is this intended to describe?
The phrase the narrator uses in the second paragraph of the
eighteenth chapter is intended to describe the Puritan society. In the Puritan
Society, many evil is said to be found in the woods at night because of its
mysteriousness and wildness, yet Hester and Dimmesdale find forgiveness in it.
It is described this way to show that Hester and Dimmesdale go against what is
thought to be of the wilderness by the Puritan
society.