Studied by 53 people
beadle
town crier
gossip
familiar female acquaintance
heterodox
something that goes against standard orthodox beliefs
ignominy
public shame or disgrace
malefactress
a woman who violates the law or commits evil acts
horn-book
a single-sided alphabet tablet, which served from medieval times as a primer for study, and sometimes included vowel combinations, numerals or short verse.
Nepenthe
a possibly fictional medicine for sorrow – a "drug of forgetfulness" mentioned in ancient Greek literature and Greek mythology, depicted as originating in Egypt
somnambulism
sleepwalking
scourge
a whip used as an instrument of punishment.
New England Primer
The first reading primer designed for the American colonies. It became the most successful educational textbook published in 17th-century colonial United States and it became the foundation of most schooling before the 1790s.
Governor Bellingham
The pompous and well-adorned governor of Salem. He believes that Pearl should be taken from Hester’s custody, yet also purchases Hester’s embroidery. (Ch. 7)
Pearl Prynne
The daughter of Hester and Reverend Dimmesdale. Is described as a wild, elflike child. She also has an obsession with Hester’s scarlet letter. Exists as a living manifestation of Hester’s sin —> she is dressed in all red. She is left all of Roger Chillingworth’s money at the end of the novel.
Roger Chillingworth
Hester’s husband —> he torments Reverend Dimmesdale b/c he wants to take revenge on him and also acts as his “physican”. Repeatedly compared to the devil. Motivated by revenge and his desire to see Reverend Dimmesdale exposed.
Reverend Dimmesdale
The hypocritical yet revered minister of Boston. He is described as incredibly weak yet is a very powerful speaker. Motivated by his shame of his adultery with Hester. Pearl comments multiple times that he holds his heart whenever he sees Hester and Pearl. He also genuinely loves Hester despite his weakness. Dies at the end of the novel.
Hester Prynne
A woman made a pariah due to her adultery. She makes a living in the village through her embroidery. She is fiery and passionate, though she shows care and compassion towards the poor and ill in the village. Forced to wear a scarlet “A” on her dress.
Rev Mr. Blackstone
The first settler of New England. Has become a man of legend often depicted seated on the back of a bull. Probably the source of the roses and apple-trees outside Governor Bellingham’s house. (Ch. 7- pg. 97-98)
Mistress Hibbins
Another historical figure, the sister of Governor Bellingham, she was executed for witchcraft in 1656. In the novel, she has insight into the sins of both Hester and Dimmesdale and is a symbol of super or preternatural knowledge and evil powers. (Ch. 2- pg. 47, Ch. 8- pg. 107, ch. 20- pg. 198, Ch. 22- pg. 216)
Master Brackett
A Boston jailer who decides to bring in a physician (Roger Chillingworth) to look at Hester. Also smiles at Pearl at the end of the book, (Ch. 4-pg. 65, Ch. 21- pg. 205)
Apostle John Eliot
Puritan missionary to the Native Americans around Boston. Apparently visited by Reverend Dimmesdale. (Ch. 16-pg. 165)
John Endicott
A governor of the New England colonies. Part of the procession of elected officials during the Election Day celebration. (Ch. 22- pg. 213)
Anne Hutchinson
An Englishwoman who traveled to America to preach about her branch of Christianity. She was tried for heresy and banished. Might have passed by the same rose bush Hester did outside of the jail. Connection between the two b/c both were exiled because of their strong wills and rejection of societal norms. (Ch. 1-pg. 46) https://www.sparknotes.com/lit/scarlet/context/historical/anne-hutchinson-and-hester-prynne
Increase Mather
The most powerful Puritan leader; was president of Harvard and was involved in the Salem Witch Trials. Also part of the procession of important religious leaders on Election Day (Ch. 22- pg. 213)
the setting of the scarlet letter
massachusetts in 1642-1649
John Wilson
the eldest clergyman of Boston
John Winthrop
A governor of Massachusetts whom Hester made a robe for. He dies while Hester and Dimmesdale are on the scaffold, so the red meteor is assumed to be in honor of him.
Note 
Flashcard (46)