The Scarlet Letter - Chapter 8-10

Mr. Wilson asks Pearl, "Canst thou tell me, my child, who made thee?" What is Pearl's answer? Why did she say that?

Mr. Wilson asks Pearl, "Canst thou tell me, my child, who made thee?" What is Pearl's answer? Why did she say that?

she wasn't made, she was plucked off a wild rose bush outside her mother's prison door; she had roses on her mind, she didn't know who her father was

When Governor Bellingham demands to know what Hester can teach Pearl concerning the “truths of heaven and earth”, what does Hester reply?

She says she can teach Pearl all the things that the scarlet letter has taught her. She believes it will make her daughter wiser and better although it hasn't done so yet.

Explain the Puritan attitude toward luxury and how Governor Bellingham and the Reverend John Wilson responded to it.

They liked all the luxuries, but would give them up if necessary.

How do the magistrates react to Pearl and why?

They are supposed because Hester is raising her in open resistance to good manners.

How does Hester behave towards the magistrates and why?

She is very desperate and says she would do anything to keep pearl.

Why does Hester feel that Dimmesdale should speak on her behalf?

She says he was her pastor and in charge of her soul, therefore he should know her better than the other men.

What convinced the Governor to let Hester keep Pearl?

Dimmesdale gave a speech that convinced the Governor to let Hester keep Pearl.

Where does Dimmesdale place his hand as he talks?

Over his heart

Who is Mistress Hibbins? Why would her character be included in the book?

widow who lives with her brother, Governor Bellingham, in a luxurious mansion. She is commonly known to be a witch who ventures into the forest at night to ride with the "Black Man." and is a symbol of super or preternatural knowledge and evil powers.

What does Chillingworth note about Dimmesdale's defense of Hester?

Dimmesdale was oddly interested.

What two contrasting reasons did the church put forth to ensure Hester loses custody of Pearl?

Church members argued that if Pearl were a demon offspring, her remaining with Hester would endanger Hester's soul; however, if she were a normal child, she would have a better chance of growing up a good Christian under other guardianshop than Hester's.

List some hints as to who Pearl’s father is.

Dimmesdale asks Hester to speak for her and Pearl. He notes that Pearl is both a blessing and a curse and should stay with the mother. It is at this moment that Pearl takes a liking to Dimmesdale and seems to go to him by some gidden force. His had touches Pearl's cheek, almost as a sign of ecceptance or acknowledgement

How did Roger Chillingworth become Dimmesdale's medical advisor?

Dimmesdale became very sick, the people talked Dimmesdale into it

Why does Mr. Dimmesdale rush from the room to end the conversation he had with Chillingworth?

To avoid Chillingworth finding the truth ablut his involvement with Hester

The townspeople assume that Chillingworth is in town to

Help people with their medical needs

Why, according to Hawthorne, were there few physicians in Boston?

According to Hawthorne, there are few physicians in Boston because men of this trade usually aren't passionate enough about religion to move across the ocean to the colonies.

Whose suggestion is it that Chillingworth and Dimmesdale live in the same house?

Chillingsworth

Describe how Dimmesdale has changed since Hester's public punishment.

Dimmesdale health and physical appearance have deteriorated. He has a nervous demeanor, more than before.

Describe how Chillingworth has changed over the last few years.

Chillingsworth's features have gotten uglier and his complexion has gotten darker.

What is the main occupation of the only surgeon in the Boston Colony?

A barber

A difference of opinion arises over the cause of Dimmesdale's failing health. Compare the townspeople's opinion to Dimmesdale's.

The townspeople think he is ill because he is to devoured to his religious studies and work. He thinks he is being punished by God because he is unfit to fulfill his mission here on earth.

Why does Dimmesdale reject Chillingworth’s offer of help?

Dimmesdale believes his condition is spiritual and can not be fixed by a earthly Doctor.

What finally persuades him to accept the offer?

He felt guilty for continuing to turn his help away and possibly didn't want Chillingworth to become suspicious of him, so he accepted help.

Who is the leech?

Chillingsworth

When does the Reverend Dimmesdale’s health begin to fail?

The Reverend Dimmesdale's health begins to fail once Chillingworth has arrived in Boston, and after he has committed his tacit sin.

Chillingworth is a man of science whereas Dimmesdale is a man of faith. While Dimmesdale has been taught to accept everything, Chillingworth has been taught to question everything. In the future, what conflicts can you see arising because of these two living together?

In the future, we are likely to see more of Chillingworth questioning Dimmesdale's actions. Also, Dimmesdale is selfless, and filled with guilt and remorse for betraying his God, while Chillingworth is obsessed with righting a wrong that has been done to him and does not take God's will into consideration at all. This discrepancy will mean nothing but trouble for Dimmesdale

Describe Chillingworth’s method for treating illness.  Is it more concern for Dimmesdale’s physical or psychological well-being? Both? or Neither?

He acts more of a psychologist towards Dimmesdale, even though actual use of herbs, everything he does is for the purpose of seeing how Dimmesdale reacts. Both

How does the community differ in their views about Chillingworth?

Some people in the community feel that God sent Chillingworth to heal their minister, but other people have a different view. Explain the second view about Chillingworth. Some people believed that he was Satan, or there on behalf of Satan, to plot against Dimmesdale's soul.

What do the people think is wrong with Dimmesdale?

'miracle of holiness', as his powerful orations touch upon their own feelings of guilt and anguish.

Describe the connotation of the names “Chillingworth” & “Dimmesdale”.

The surname "Chillingworth" is made up of two words, i.e. chilling and worth. The word "chilling" means frightening, usually because it is connected with something violent or cruel. Dimmesdale has the word dim in it which relates to a loss of light (life)

What is the analogy made with the “weeds”?

Comparing to the “rose” in the book, the “weeds” show evil while the “rose” show good.

What does Pearl do to Dimmesdale in the graveyard?

She throws a burr at him.

Whom does Pearl refer to as “the Black Man (or Devil)”?

Chillingsworth

What does Roger see when he finds Dimmesdale asleep?

He sees the letter “A”. Dimmesdale had been cutting an “A” into himself.