english 3 scarlet letter study guide

themes

shame, sin, suppression

after Puritanism came

the Age of Reason (people getting away from the strict/religious way of life)

After the Enlightenment came

the Age of Romanticism (creative/emotional in an individual thought way, not romantic love)

romanticism led to

transcendentalism

believe all people are fundamentally good

God is omnipotent, omniscient, and all around us

Nathaniel Hawthorne was friends with

Henry David Thoreau, but was an anti-transcendentalist (did not believe people were fundamentally good, rather some people were predisposed to evil)

why did Hawthorne believe people could be predisposed to evil

based on the actions of his Puritan ancestors at the Salem Witch Trials (he thinks it is ridiculous to be judgmental because everybody sins)

Hawthorne was an author of

Romanticism (but anti-transcendentalist)

still influenced by transcendentalism

shared similar thoughts/themes to Emerson

The Scarlet Letter is a story about

the human heart and written of women in distress\

answer to existence can be found in nature

evil is a temporary condition

Romanticism and transcendentalism are centered on

the individual (unlike the Enlightenment based on group)

The Scarlet Letter is introduced as a

frame narrative: a story told within another story by the main character

The character tells other characters a story or sits down to write a story, telling the details to the audience

what is unique about a frame narrative

provides readers with context regarding the narrative

offers multiple perspectives about the characters and the story

multiple perspectives provide the readers with in-depth information about the characters' feelings, thoughts, and motivations

The Custom House

Written by Hawthorne after he wrote The Scarlet Letter

He wrote it to give authenticity to the novel, explain his views (and to not get in trouble)

How does the story begin and with who

The narrator, who works in the custom house in 1800s, finds a manuscript written by Jonathan Pue in the 1700s. It is a story regarding Hester Prynne in the 1600s

The narrator takes on the task of writing the story but has trouble - does not want to offend anyone. Though people may think it's contrived, he writes it

How does Hawthorne feel about writing the book

he is conflicted

He believes the Puritan attitudes lead to hypocrisy and that their punishments were excessive, making it impossible to create relationships and love/care for each other

He believed in the power of evil

He was embarrassed by his ancestors' views and actions (changed his last name)

Does not believe that shame is an effective punishment

paradox

a statement that appears on the surface to be contradictory or impossible, but turns out to express a striking truth (ex. less is more)

Describe the setting in the chapter. Discuss the prison and the rosebush. What could the rosebush symbolize?

The setting is Boston in the 1600s, and it gives off a creepy, desolate atmosphere with a negative energy surrounding it. The prison is gloomy and looks worn-in despite being new, so it is well-used and respresents the Puritans' wrongful use of excessive punishments. The rosebush growing out of place symbolizes that there is still hope for society, even within this evil and darkness. This also connects to transcendentalism and the idea that everyone has the chance to connect with nature.

What is Hawthorne's tone (diction)?

His tone is judgemental and slightly ironic to criticize the hypocrisy of Puritan society. He is somber and conveys a gloomy feeling while highlighting the flaws and contradictions of religion.

What are the reactions of the people in the crowd? What does it say about the nature of sin and judgement in Puritan society?

The people in the crowd react with judgment, criticism, and even outrage. They talk to one another while judging her heavily, despite many of them being sinful too. They stare at her and whisper harshly while the kids taunt. This says that sin is highly looked down upon and that Puritan culture is taken very seriously at this time. Many of the Puritans are hypocrites as well because they judge her sins, which have been made public, while hiding their own sins.

What is the emblem that Hester has to wear and why does she wear it?

Hester has to wear a red, or scarlet, letter A on the top of her dress as a symbol of her sin, which was adultery. It serves as part of her punishment to try to humiliate her for her past mistakes while being ridiculed by the town.

What is Hester's reaction to the public shaming?

Hester reacts to the public shaming with some shame herself, particularly as the community judges her and makes her feel isolated. However, she chooses to stay within the community, seeming to defy the rest of society and its expectations of her. She willingly accepts her punishment and past.

She acts like she doesn't care, exuding beauty and class. However, she isn't actually confident because she's gripping Pearl tightly to cover the A and does feel shame.

Who is Roger Chillingworth? Why does he visit Hester?

Roger Chillingworth is Hester's husband but is not the father of her child. He is a cruel doctor who was not a good or kind husband. He visits Hester to "give medical help", but he is really there to keep his identity a secret as Hester refuses to reveal her child's father.

What is the nature of their relationship?

They are in a loveless forced marriage, but acknowledge they have both wronged each other.

He felt lonely as he got older, so he made an arrangement for Hester to be his wife but didn't love each other

Why does Chillingworth ask Hester to keep his identity a secret?

Chillingworth asks Hester to keep his identity a secret because he doesn't want to deal with the dishonor for the husband of an adulterous wife. He would rather be seen as someone who just lived and died than to have his wife cheat on him, so he requests her secrecy.

Why do the magistrates take pity on Hester?

They felt mercy and tender-heartedness towards Hester because she became the living sermon of sin for the community. Everyone was reminded of her mistakes as a way to discourage them from sinning, so she was not put to death. Everyone also thought that her husband was dead, so she wasn't as much to blame since nobody knew his status.

How does the pastor feel? Why does he think that she should reveal her lover?

The pastor was upset, sympathetic, and kind towards Hester. He wanted her to reveal her lover so that he would share the humiliation with her, allowing him to own up to the sin. If he didn't, it would continue to tempt him, being almost consuming. He would add the sin of hypocrisy as well.

How does she react to the pastor's proclamations?

Hester refuses to reveal the man's name and says that her child will never know an earthly father, only a heavenly one. When the pastor and strangers ask again, she continues to refuse.

What happened to Roger Chillingworth

he was kidnapped by a tribe while traveling for work and was supposed to meet Hester at the settlement but didn't for 2 years

How does Chillingworth approach his conversation with Hester in the prison

he's not super angry at her and blames himself for marrying her in the first place instead of prioritizing love over education (apologizes for this)

He is angry at the man Hester had an affair with for letting her to be humiliated instead of sharing the shame (plans to get revenge)

How do the older women vs younger women react

the older women want her to have a harsher punishment (be put to death), while the younger women are more accepting and stand up having some empathy

shows that younger generations are more accepting and welcoming, while the older women want her to suffer the intense standards they did

What is Hester's job

she is a talented seamstress who spends extra time donating clothes to the lower class

How does Hester dress

she wears lots of grays to hide/blend in, but she makes intricate designs for Pearl to stand out in red and gold (like the A)

What does Hester do to mitigate her public shame? What work does she do and what does this say about her character?

Hester decides to move to a cottage on the outskirts of town, becoming isolated from her community. Despite her being the symbol of sin and resenting the Puritans, she continues with her sewing work that the townspeople love. This says that she is strong and somewhat rebellious. She is also determined.

Does she decide to stay in the community? Why or why not?

She decided to stay in the community because she felt like this situation and punishment would follow her wherever she went. If she was going to have to feel the effects of the sin, she might as well do so in town, owning up to her actions for a better chance of being cleansed.

What does she do with the emblem "A"? What do you think this means?

She continues to wear the A and starts to accept it, showing her rejection of society's expectations for her. She also notices that it begins to feel different when she is in the presence of someone who is hiding one of their own sins.

She decorates the A and moves on, showing her strength and maturity

What is Pearl like?

Pearl is a beautiful and graceful girl who has an intense personality filled with passion and love of mischief. She is extroverted, spontaneous, and spends her free time in the woods. She doesn't really have any friends and has to use her imagination, leading her to be curious yet lonely.

What is her relationship like with Hester?

Pearl is close with Hester, especially because the two of them are cast out from the rest of the town. They have many similarities, particularly in their character. She understands that her mother is different, absorbs the situation, protective, taunts her mother, and seems to know what Hester has done (acknowledges the A and throws things at it).

What does Hester see when she looks in the suit of armor? What do you think the point of this description is?

Hester sees her reflection in the suit of armor, and the letter A is distorted, seeming extra large. It catches her by surprise and serves as another reminder of how this sin has taken over her life. The physical reminder of her affair constantly follows her and is taking over her as a person.

Shows that the A is how Hester sees herself but Pearl loves it and laughs

How does Dimmesdale support her petition to keep Pearl? Why?

Dimmesdale supports Hester's petition to keep Pearl by saying that God intentionally sent the child as a gift/blessing and a reminder of Hester's actions. Pearl can bring happiness and show love, but also serves as a direct sign of the sin, like the letter. This is because Dimmesdale is Pearl's father and the man Hester had an affair with, so he wants Hester to be able to keep their child.

Hawthorne makes an interesting observation that the upper class women that Hester sews for at times drop "bitterness" into Hester's heart. He states "sometimes through the alchemy of quiet malice, by which women can concoct a subtle poison from ordinary trifles, sometimes, also, by a courser expression, that fell upon the sufferer's defenseless breast like a rough blow upon an ulcerated wound" (Hawthorne 79).

The judgment of the Puritans, especially the older wealthier women, can seem to be spread throughout the community. Hester is made to feel worse about her actions, but she does her best to carry on in her work with patience and grace. The townspeople continue to be cruel, harsh, and hurtful.

why do the magistrates want to take Pearl away

they think Hester is doing a disservice to her by not teaching her the Puritan values (these magistrates have a lot of money/power and care about material things)

Roger Chillingworth is like a

leech bc his profession but also bc he's sucking the life out of Dimmesdale (ultimate goal of getting a confession that he's Pearl's father, causing Dimmesdale to unravel)

How is Dimmesdale's mental health changing

it's deteriorating because of the shame, which causes him to show signs of physical illness

How do Dimmesdale and Chillingworth develop a relationship

Chillingworth becomes his personal physician and gives medicine to help the symptoms, but doesn't work bc he's still sick mentally

The town views him positively, but later think that he could be the devil

Roger is trying to get to the root of the illness (sin/guilt)

what does Chillingworth do to hurt Dimmesdale

tries to take away last bit of comfort by showing the black weeds growing from the hearts of corpses as signs of sin (loses comfort that only God will judge him)

How does Hawthorne comment on shame

shows that Hester ends up having it better after owning up to it while Dimmesdale is slowly eaten away at

How do Hester and Dimmesdale change? What does this say about shame?

Hester is thriving while Dimmesdale is deteriorating

People need to be accountable for their sins

Obsessing with/judging other people's sins will make you uglier (ex. Chillingworth)

We don't benefit from revenge or the sins of others

does Chillingworth confirm Dimmesdale is the father

yes, but indirectly (doesn't ask word for word)

What is revealed about Dimmesdale in chapters 9-12

He is self-harming and purposely depriving himself of sleep, wishing he revealed his secret

where does Dimmesdale go and who does he encounter

goes to the scaffold in the middle of the night to subconsciously confess his sins (doesn't really want to be seen, but wants to feel better)

Joined by Hester and Pearl (Pearl asks if he will join them tomorrow at noon to confess but he says no, not accepting her or the sin)

they later see Chillingworth

what appears in the sky

a meteor like an A

most think it's a sign of Winthrop dying as an angel, but it can also represent their union (saying nature is accepting and reassuring)

How has Hester changed?

Hester has become more active in society by giving back and is different from her former passionate self. She gives donations and food to the poor while showing a warm and rich nature, even in emergencies. She became extremely helpful and sympathetic to the community.

What does the "scarlet letter" now represent?

The letter now represents Hester being Able. It shows her strength and her calling to help those around her in any way she could. As Hester changes, so does the letter's meaning.

resilience to transform

how do people generally change over time

they become more accepting/forgiving

what does Hester's resilience show

your life isn't over if you do something wrong, there is hope for you to become even better

Regardless of what happens in your life, people will move on and you'll be ok again

What do Hester and Chillingworth discuss

that she harmed Dimmesdale by keeping Chillingworth's identity, says she is going to tell Dimmesdale the truth

Chillingworth is human and self aware, but is angry at Hester for ruining his former peace by making him vengeful/a bad person

what is Pearl's connection with nature

both wild/unlimited while Puritan kids are boring/judgmental

Her connection with nature shows that we lose connection when we judge (she's happier bc she's more connected)

Nature tries to reignite us with the truth

Is Chillingworth's influence on Dimmesdale getting stronger or weaker?

Chillingworth's influence on Dimmesdale is getting stronger, which is evident as Dimmesdale continues to grow weaker and sicker. It's becoming difficult for him to breathe, and he was visibly struggling.

Discuss how nature plays a role in any aspect of this book.

Nature plays a role by contrasting the rest of the setting and conveying a different mood. It reflects some of the transcendentalist ideas of the time, like how nature is forgiving instead of the harshness of Puritan culture. The forest is also representative of supernatural things, like Satan and being wild, which connects back to Puritan beliefs. It offers an escape from the harsh and strict laws of Puritan society.

what do Hester and Dimmesdale discuss

Hester reveals Chillingworth's identity as her husband, Dimmesdale blames Hester for keeping the secret and is angry at himself for not realizing but also at her

what does the forest symbolize for Hester and Dimmesdale

freedom from shame/judgment and also represents truth

how do they leave the discussion

deciding to go to Europe together while being the happiest they have been

when Pearl comes back, how does she react

she is upset about the absence of the A (seems like Hester isn't accepting Pearl bc hiding the A is like throwing Pearl aside since she is the truth - reminder you can't hide emotions or run from them)

how do Hester's looks change in the forest

she takes off her cap and the A, and she looks like her former beautiful self again (beautiful in beginning, blending in/not authentic in middle when she doesn't accept herself, beautiful again with Dimmesdale as true self)

how does Dimmesdale react when he goes back into town

he thinks blasphemous words and is on a high after the sin of adultery with Hester

this causes him to unravel more, doubting religion in anti-Puritan moment after finding happiness without religion

feels like going against his faith (heresy) to be with Hester

identity crisis

why is Pearl against Dimmesdale for most of the story

he doesn't fully accept her in public (her dislike is evident when she wipes off the kiss)

what is the setting like on Election Day

in the marketplace (center if Boston), Puritans "letting loose", and waiting for Dimmesdale to do on scaffold (2 previous scaffold experiences)

how do the Puritans treat Hester and Pearl by the end

accept Pearl and Hester has assimilated into society fully

what do Hester and the captain discuss

Captain reveals that Chillingworth is going on the boat to Europe with them

Hester realizes she will never have peace with Dimmesdale (Chillingworth is in the crowd, smiling slyly at Hester)

how are the boatsmen viewed by the Puritans

crew members are ranked low in society, so people are more judgmental bc financial situation

t/f: Mistress Hibbins is unaware of the identity of Pearl's father and doesn't know Hester's plans with Dimmesdale

false, she does know

how does Dimmesdale appear

looking sickly and feeble as a result of repressing the sin for 7 years

how does Pearl react

confused about the secrecy and annoyed

what happens when Dimmesdale is on the scaffold

he looks towards Hester, recognizes he's going to die, points to her, and says he sins just as Hester did (calls them to the stand)

he then points to his chest, reveals the A from self-mutilation, and everybody knows

how does the crowd react to him

really sympathetic as he collapses

this shows the difference in treatment between men and women

they are also forgiving bc they trusted him as their preacher

what happens once he collapses

Pearl leans down and kisses him bc he publicly accepted her

Dimmesdale talks with Hester and says he believes God is merciful (leaving hope for Heaven) and then dies

what is Hawthorne saying when he says we have different faces

we play many different roles in different aspects, so the way we interact gives us different faces

-Dimmesdale as the minister is talkative, professional, highly-respected

-in the woods, he's vulnerable, open, loving

shows you can't have 2 faces forever

major ideas

it's better to expose the truth than oppress it

what happens after Dimmesdale's death

Chillingworth dies within the year (leeched onto Dimmesdale), gives his wealth to Pearl

"Spell is broken" once Dimmesdale reveals truth bc Pearl's no longer confined in the shame as a witch

Years later, old woman goes into Hester's house (it's Hester) and Pearl gets married and has a baby

Hester dies and shares a tombstone with Dimmesdale

what is Chillingworth's belief

hatred is not the opposite of love because both are strong emotions that involve caring

opposite of love's indifference