The Scarlet Letter - Chapters 16-19

What did the dark, dense forest represent to Hester, and in fact, represent in the book?

Natural world without Puratin laws. Place of freedom but home to the Black Man

What supernatural event(s) happened numerous times on Hester and Pearl’s excursions into the forest?

Sunshine disappears as Hester comes close to it while Pearl is able to catch it

What analogy is being made through this event?

Real happiness will never come back to Hester because she is bound to be miserable to the point she has not gotten over her sin to go into the light

While waiting in the forest, what story does Pearl want to hear from her mother?

A story about the Black Man

While waiting in the forest, what does Pearl say about the origins of the scarlet letter?

its a mark on Hester from the Black Man whom she met at nightime

What does Hester say when Pearl asks her if she’s met the Black Man?

Did you ever wake and find your mother gone?

Describe Dimmesdale as he walked along in the forest.

He has his hand over his heart looking worn and weak

What odd question did Hester and Dimmesdale ask of each other?

If they are alive

What gesture made the encounter a reality for Dimmesdale and Hester?

They touched hands

What question did Dimmesdale ask Hester?

If she found peace

Dimmesdale claims that he wishes the people’s respect would turn to scorn and hatred.  Is this assertion believable?

No, if he wanted that then he would be come out and admitted he was the father

Hester suggests to Dimmesdale that, in his misery, he should feel forgiven because he has repented and has lived a holy life in spite of his sin.  What is his reply?

He's had no repentance but instead just penance

Describe how Hester feels toward Dimmesdale now.

Her feelings are softened and heightened

In what way does Dimmesdale say that Chillingworth’s sin of vengeance is even worse than their sin of adultery?

Chillingworth violated the holiness of a human heart

What did Hester do to express her desire to look forward to the future?

she said he was not going alone

What did Pearl do while Hester and Dimmesdale spoke?

Ate berries, played with birds, decorated herself with nature

Why will Pearl not approach Hester and Dimmesdale at first?

She was trying to figure out how they were all releated, then see Hester dosent have TSL

When Dimmesdale kisses Pearl on the forehead, what does Pearl do?

Runs to the brook and attempts to wash it off

Hawthorne sets forth several reasons that might lead Dimmesdale to flee with Hester. What are some of these reasons?

He can be happy again

What does Hester propose that she and Dimmesdale do?

Steal away on a ship to Europe with Pearl

At this point in the novel, how does the author feel about love and hate?

Strongly

How does Dimmesdale react to Hester’s revelation of Chillingworth’s identity?

He is devasteated

What does Pearl now represent

Emotions between Hester and Dimmesdale

Hester asks Pearl pick up the scarlet letter, to which Pearl replies…

“You come here and pick it up”

 How does Pearl “mock” her mother?

by kissing TSL

What did Hester have to do by the brook before Pearl would come across?

Put TSL back on