Hester, Pearl, and Dimmesdale: Themes and Character Analysis in 'The Scarlet Letter'

What did Hester half expect to happen to Chillingworth as she watched him gathering herbs?

She half-expected the earth to open and swallow him, or for some evil to visibly mark him.

How did Hester feel about Chillingworth?

She felt hatred and dread; she saw him as a 'fiend'.

How did Hester feel about her past with Chillingworth?

She felt sorrow and regret for ever marrying him.

Who did Hester consider more guilty?

Chillingworth, because he had wronged both her and Dimmesdale.

How had Pearl occupied herself?

With pebbles.

How did Pearl feel about the gray bird with the white breast?

She wanted to throw pebbles at it and felt mischievous interest.

What was Pearl's final employment?

Making the imitation scarlet letter (the A) out of eelgrass.

What gift had Pearl inherited from her mother?

Imagination, creativity, and a strong sense of symbolism.

What decoration did Pearl make out of eelgrass?

A green letter A.

What reason did Pearl give for the scarlet A?

She said Hester wore it for the same reason that Dimmesdale always put his hand over his heart.

How did Hester see Pearl's character?

As wild, passionate, perceptive, and strange—almost supernatural.

What was Pearl's inevitable tendency?

To link the scarlet letter with Dimmesdale and his secret pain.

What did Hester think Pearl's errand as a spirit messenger might be?

To reveal the connection between Hester, the letter, and Dimmesdale.

How did Hester answer Pearl's question about the A?

She lied and said she wore it for the gold thread.

How did Hester threaten Pearl when she kept asking about the A?

She threatened to shut Pearl in the dark closet.

Why did Hester take Pearl to the footpath?

To intercept Dimmesdale on his way through the forest.

Why did Pearl say the sunshine ran from Hester?

Because the sunshine did not love her since she wore the scarlet letter.

What happened when Hester tried to grab some sunshine?

It vanished from her hand.

What attributes of Pearl's did Hester love?

Her liveliness, energy, imagination, and natural beauty.

What kind of story did Pearl want to know?

A story about the Black Man.

What was the story Pearl wanted to know?

How the Black Man leaves a mark on people—like the scarlet A.

Where had Pearl heard the story about the Black Man?

From old woman Mistress Hibbins.

What did Hester say about the Black Man?

That she had met him once—hinting that the scarlet A was his mark.

Describe the dell where they sat.

A small, shadowy forest hollow with a brook—gloomy but peaceful.

Why was Pearl upset with the brook?

Because it seemed sad and kept repeating a sorrowful story.

What did Pearl wonder about Dimmesdale?

Whether he met the Black Man and why he always clutched his heart.

Where did Pearl go?

She crossed the brook to play.

What was Dimmesdale doing as he walked?

Walking slowly, holding his hand over his heart.

What did Hester and Dimmesdale question about one another?

Whether the other still loved them and whether reconciliation was possible.

How did their meeting in the woods feel?

It felt ghostly—like spirits from another world, awkward and fearful, yet deeply connected.

What did Dimmesdale do with his hand?

Clutched it over his heart.

Where did Hester and Dimmesdale go?

To sit on a mossy log beside the brook.

What question did Dimmesdale ask Hester?

Who Chillingworth really was.

How did Hester answer Dimmesdale's question about Chillingworth?

She confessed that Chillingworth was her husband.

What question did Hester ask Dimmesdale?

Whether he had found peace.

How did Dimmesdale answer Hester's question about peace?

No—he had found only suffering.

How did Dimmesdale view the good he appeared to do?

As hypocrisy—tormenting because he felt unworthy.

What did Hester say about Dimmesdale's repentance?

That God would recognize his suffering as repentance.

What does 'Of penance, I have enough! Of penitence, there has been none.' mean?

He has punished himself but never truly repented inside.

Why did Dimmesdale see Hester as happy?

Because she bore her shame openly, while he hid his.

What did Hester tell Dimmesdale about herself?

She had been wrong to hide Chillingworth's identity.

What did Hester tell Dimmesdale about Chillingworth?

Chillingworth was his enemy.

What did Hester ask forgiveness for?

For keeping Chillingworth's identity a secret.

What did Dimmesdale say about forgiving Hester?

He forgave her freely—he was too miserable to blame her.

How did Hester respond to Dimmesdale's forgiveness?

She embraced him and comforted him.

What did Dimmesdale say about Chillingworth's revenge?

He has been a greater sinner than I.

What did Hester and Dimmesdale do after their conversation?

Held hands and planned a future together.

What new horror crossed Dimmesdale's mind?

(This question is incomplete and cannot be answered.)

What did Hester feel Chillingworth would do?

Continue tormenting Dimmesdale, perhaps ruin him spiritually.

What did Dimmesdale feel like doing?

Running away from everything.

What two things did Dimmesdale ask Hester?

What he should do and whether there was hope for him.

What solutions did Hester propose?

That they escape the colony and start a new life.

What did Dimmesdale answer?

He agreed—it was their only hope.

What did the word 'alone' suggest?

That he could not survive if he stayed alone—he needed Hester.

What things had been Hester's teachers?

Shame, solitude, and sorrow.

Why were things looking hopeful?

Dimmesdale agreed to leave with her—they had a future.

How did Dimmesdale rationalize his plans?

Like a condemned man escaping the executioner—justified by suffering.

What did Dimmesdale feel was dead in him before this moment?

His heart, hope, passion, and will to live.

What did Hester do with the A?

She removed it and threw it to the ground.

What else did Hester do?

Let down her hair, revealing her natural beauty.

What did Hester say about Pearl?

She must be told of the new plans; Pearl is part of her fate.

What did Dimmesdale fear?

Pearl's reaction—he feared she might reject him.

Where did they see Pearl?

Across the brook, standing silently.

Why was Pearl able to pat a wolf?

Because wild creatures accepted her—she belonged to nature.

Whom did Pearl see?

Hester and Dimmesdale together.

How did Hester describe Pearl to Dimmesdale?

As strange, wild, and difficult—yet precious.

What part of Dimmesdale did Hester think Pearl had?

Some of his spirit—his sensitivity and inner fire.

What caused many an alarm to Dimmesdale?

Pearl's resemblance to him.

What did Hester say it is as though the 'fairies' had done to Pearl?

Given her some magical or other-worldly traits.

What was visible in Pearl?

Her wild nature and her connection to the scarlet letter.

Why did Hawthorne call Pearl the 'living hieroglyphic'?

She embodied the living symbol of Hester's sin and truth.

Why had Dimmesdale dreaded and yearned for the interview?

He feared she would reject him—but longed to acknowledge her.

What did Hester predict about Pearl?

That she would love Dimmesdale when she knew him.

Why did Hester feel estranged from Pearl?

Pearl seemed angry that Hester removed the A.

What strange fancy did Dimmesdale have?

That Pearl was not human at all—maybe an elf child.

What gesture did Pearl make instead of coming?

She pointed to the A, wanting Hester to put it back on.

How did Pearl behave?

Wildly, crying, stamping, refusing to come.

How did Hester explain the tantrum?

Pearl was upset because the letter was removed.

When was Pearl willing to cross the brook?

Only after Hester put the letter back on.

How did Pearl show her affection?

By embracing Hester.

What question did Pearl ask?

Whether the minister would walk into town with them holding their hands.

How did Pearl react to the minister's kiss?

She washed it off in the brook.

As Dimmesdale looked back, what did he think may have happened?

That meeting Hester and Pearl was a dream.

Where had he and Hester decided to go?

To Europe (Bristol on a ship).

What coincidence was convenient?

A ship was leaving soon for England.

Why would they leave?

To escape Chillingworth and start a new life.

What commitment would Dimmesdale be able to keep?

Preaching the Election Day sermon.

Why was this a sign of weakness?

Because he still cared about his public image.

How fast was Dimmesdale traveling?

Very quickly—almost running.

How did everything familiar in town look to him?

Strange, twisted, and unreal.

What was he tempted to say to the deacon?

Blasphemies or shocking things.

How was he tempted to make the eldest churchwoman 'drop dead'?

By telling her something scandalous or sinful.

What was he tempted to say to 'blight' the maiden's innocence?

Corrupt her with sinful suggestions.

How did the maiden react?

She blushed and fled from him.

What was he tempted to teach the Puritan children?

Wicked or rebellious words.

What question did he ask himself?

Whether he was going mad or being tempted by the devil.

Where did Mistress Hibbins say they would meet—and when?

In the forest, that very night, at the witch's sabbath.

When Dimmesdale returned, how did he 'eye [his] former self'?

With suspicion—like seeing a stranger.

Who knocked at the door?

Chillingworth.

What did Dimmesdale say he no longer needed?

Chillingworth's medical help.