Chapters 21-24

In chapter 21, Hawthorne describes the crowd gathered for the holiday and speaks of the two groups of "barbarians." What two groups are these and which group does he describe as "wilder"? Note the relation of these groups to the choices Dimmsdale has before him at the end of chapter 17. What might this say about Hester's and Dimmesdale's choice?

Chapters 19-20

Sunlight, as a character, plays a large part in chapters 19-20. In what way does Nature, through sunlight, exercise moral judgement in these chapters? On what, according to Hawthorne, does Nature base its favor?

Chapters 17 and 18

When Dimmesdale is told who Roger Chillingworth really is , he declares, "We are not, Hester, the worst simmers in the world.....That old man's revenge has been worse than my sin. He has violated, in cold blood, the sanctity of a human heart. Thou and I, Hester, never did so!" What does Dimmesdale mean by this? Is he correct?

Chapter 15 and 16

At one point early in their discussion in the forest, Hester tells Dimmsdale, "You wrong yourself in this...You have deeply and sorely repented...Is there no reality in the pentinence thus sealed and witnesses by good works?" Dimmsdale responds, "'Of penance I have had enough! Of penitence there has been none!'" What distinction is Dimmsdale drawing? Give some examples of his penance. (Hint look up both penance and pentinence so you know the difference!)

Chapter 13-14

In Chapter 13, Hawthorne says, "The rulers and the wise and learned men of the community were longer in acknowledging the influence of Hester's good qualities than the people....Thus it was with the men of rank, on whom their eminent position imposed the guardianship of the public morals." Do you think the community leaders were justified in a sternenr stance than regular citizens of the community? Why?

Chapters 11 & 12

Does the character of Pearl seem realistic? Some readers of The Scarlet Letter think she seems much older than her age—far too mature for a young girl. Can you think of any reasons why Pearl should seem so unlike a child at times? Are children her age today ever “forced to grow up early” like that? Why? Pearl is also a very angry child—angry with her mother, in particular. Does this seem like a realistic trait as well? Why or why not?

Chapters 9 & 10

The authorities ordered Hester Prynne to wear an A as a punishment for her adultery, but nobody told her to make it as beautiful and elaborate as she did. The elegance of the A she embroidered revealed her self-pride, even in the face of her public shame. Can you think of any similar symbols that people wear today? In what ways do people change their appearance to show self-pride, even when others see those changes as sources of shame? What do our outward symbols say about us?

Chapters 7 & 8

In recent years, the growing popularity of witchcraft, a neopagan religion with many traditions derived from pre-Christian and prehistoric religions, has caught the public eye. There are stores that sell witchcraft-related wares, movies with witches as heroes, and popular books about pagan religious traditions. InThe Scarlet Letter, however, the portrayal of witches—particularly Mistress Hibbins, the sister of Governor Bellingham, is far more negative. What differences between Puritan New England and American culture today account for the fact that the practice of witchcraft is no longer considered an abhorrent crime? How has society changed during that span of time?

Chapters 4 -6

How are Dimmesdale, Chillingworth, and Hester all described at the beginning and what is their relationship and who is to blame? Why doesn't Hester confess the name of the father and why does she not leave the village after she leaves prison? Do you think she is justified in her actions? Explain :)

Chapters 2 & 3

Throughout America’s history, there have always been laws that regulated citizens’ personal behavior. Among the Puritans of the 18th century, for example, adultery was a serious crime, asThe Scarlet Lettermakes clear. Today we have laws forcing motorcycle riders to wear helmets, laws that make suicide illegal, and laws against speeding on an empty highway, among many others. Where should society draw the line between personal and political actions? Should society have the right to tell you how to behave on your own time? Why or why not?

Chapter 1

In chapter one, the prison door is described in great detail. After our discussions about the Puritans and the type of people they were, why do you suppose the prison door is described in such detail? Why was the prison one of the very first buildings established by the town?