s/l test Flashcards
(38 cards)
The novel beings where? What is the significance to this place?
in front of the Salem jail; the jail is symbolic for the Puritans “watch-dog” mentality
What is the symbol of the rosebush related to?
passion
What are the women in the court yard upset about?
they thought Hester’s punishment wasn’t harsh enough
What is Hester’s punishment to be?
to wear and “A” for adultery for the rest of her life
Hester is shocked to discover who in town her first day on the scaffold?
her husband
What does he vow to do? How does he plan to do this?
to find out who the father is; looking into his heart
What is Pearl’s function in the novel? How does Hawthorne reveal this?
to remind Hester of her sin; he makes Pearl evil
What are the many symbols of the Scarlet Letter?
Hester’s sin, shame, guilt
Why is Hester’s housing choice symbolic?
she lives on the boarder of the Puritan town that represents morals and the immorality of the woods
Explain the significance of Pearl’s name.
a pearl is something bought at a high price
What point does Hawthorne try to make with the name?
that appearance can be misleading
How does the trip to the governor’s mansion further the idea of Pearl as the scarlet letter?
Hawthorne literally describes her as the “scarlet letter endowed with life”
Why does Hester appeal to Dimmesdale? What are some things that this encounter causes?
She sees Pearl and him connecting; Pearl tells him she was picked off the rose bush
Why is Chillingworth referred to as a leech? 2 reasons.
he was a doctor and he sucks the life out of Dimmesdale
What is the turning point for Chillingworth? How does he change? Give some evidence of this.
he sees the “A” on Dimmesdale’s chest; he becomes more evil; he makes an evil laugh
How does Pearl connect her parents while playing in the graveyard?
By throwing the burrs on Hester and Dimmesdale
How does Dimmesdale attempt to cope with his guilty conscious?
he tries to tell his congregates but fails; inflicts physical pain onto himself
When does the reader become aware that Chillingworth is powerless as to the outcome of the novel?
When the meteor leaves an “A” in the sky
What are some of the changes that occur in Hester as she moves from passionate to logical thinker?
she doesn’t act on her feelings, she depends on logic
When confronted by Pearl about the scarlet letter what transpires? Why is it significant?
Hester lies; She never lies
What is important about the sunshine that Pearl plays in, in the forrest?
Hester cannot reach it but Pearl can. It points out that where ever Hester goes, darkness follows
What does Pearl point out about the suffering of Hester and Dimmesdale?
that Hester’s is external and Dimmesdale’s is internal
What changes following the meeting of Hester and Dimmesdale in the woods for Hester, Dimmesdale, and Pearl?
Hester moves back to passionate, Dimmesdale becomes a different person by trying to teach children cuss words, Pearl begins to accept her father
What is the plan for escaping from New England? How is it foiled?
they paid sailors to bring them to England; Chillingworth got a ride on the boat
