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?