Because Dimmesdale is called upon to ask Hester who the father is. But . The Scarlet Letter study guide contains a biography of Nathaniel Hawthorne, literature essays, a complete e-text, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis. She is the physical consequence of sexual sin and the indicator of a transgression. answer choices . Thus conversing, they entered sufficiently deep into the wood to secure themselves from the observation of any casual passenger along the forest track. All of the people of the town never forgive Hester and demand that she wear the Scarlet Letter forever. The Scarlet Letter By Nathaniel Hawthorne Comprehension Test. instruct. the scarlet letter ceased to be a stigma which attracted the world's scorn and bitterness, and became a type of something to be sorrowed over, and looked upon with awe, and yet with reverence, too. But, on a more figurative level, her question suggests that sin is an inevitable part of being a mature human being. The Scarlet Letter shows us Hester Prynne's story, who has been branded as an adulterer and is shunned by the community. Originally intended to mark Hester as an adulterer, the "A" eventually comes to stand for "Able." Although he will not confess it publicly, he is the father of her child. Mistress Hibbins suspects Dimmesdales guilt. 30 seconds . True. But Hester Prynne, with a mind of native courage and activity, and for so long a period not merely estranged, but outlawed, from society, had habituated herself to such latitude of speculation as was altogether foreign to the clergyman. SURVEY . Use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. Although the narrator tries to claim that her speculations have led her "amiss," it is clear from his tone that he admires her intellectual bravery. The governor has a plan to take Pearl away from Hester, ostensibly for the child's own good. What is possible in the woods—a place of fantasy, possibility, and freedom—is not an option in the heart of the Puritan town, where order, prescription, and harsh punishment reign. scarlet letter would blaze forth on many a bosom besides Hester Prynne's? The Scarlet Letter Chapter 20 Summary & Analysis LitCharts. His single-minded pursuit of retribution reveals him to be the most malevolent character in the novel. The speaker believes that she and her peers ought to be in charge of assigning sentences in cases like Hester's. Learn exactly what happened in this chapter, scene, or section of The Scarlet Letter and what it means. Even as a baby, she instinctively reaches for the scarlet letter. Were it not, thinkest thou, for thy little one's temporal and eternal welfare that she be taken out of thy charge, and clad soberly, and disciplined strictly, Hester loses Pearl after visiting Governor Bellingham. His love of learning and intellectual pursuit attracts Dimmesdale. The minister is still in a state of shock, but Hester accepts their decision with relative equanimity. As a young woman, Hester married an elderly scholar, Chillingworth, who sent her ahead to America to live but never followed her. In the New World, men of learning were rare. After many years' absence, Hester has just returned to her former home. Because he is captured by Native Americans, he arrives in Boston belatedly and finds Hester and her illegitimate child being displayed on the scaffold. It is only after Dimmesdale is revealed to be Pearl's father that Pearl can become fully "human." . Can You Match A Reference To The Resource Type? A comprehensive database of more than 22 the scarlet letter quizzes online, test your knowledge with the scarlet letter quiz questions. #1: What is Hester Prynne guilty of? . Word Count: 1184. She represents not only "sin" but also the vital spirit and passion that engendered that sin. Her question suggests that she thinks that all grown women wear a scarlet letter or its equivalent. Last Updated on February 25, 2021, by eNotes Editorial. Until then, she functions in a symbolic capacity as the reminder of an unsolved mystery. . #3: When Hester is on the scaffold who does she see standing in the crowd? While waiting for him, she had an affair with a Puritan minister named Dimmesdale, after which she gave birth to Pearl. Thus, Pearl's existence gives her mother reason to live, bolstering her spirits when she is tempted to give up. He deals with his guilt by tormenting himself physically and psychologically, developing a heart condition as a result. Active Themes Pearl asks Mistress Hibbins if she has seen what lies beneath Dimmesdale 's hand. Suggestions. Pearl has noticed that the other women in town don't wear scarlet letters. But "Angel" is an awkward reading of the symbol. The scarlet letter was her passport into regions where other women dared not tread. Because it is the first time that Hester has come into public wearing the scarlet "A" on her chest. "Mother," said little Pearl, "the sunshine does not love you. Hester is the protagonist and the wearer of the scarlet letter. Pearl's display of love toward her mother. A Tale of Two Cities Death of a Salesman Heart of Darkness The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn The Outsiders Menu. She equals both her husband and her lover in her intelligence and thoughtfulness. Romanticism had a notion of freedom from which feeling? Here Pearl is assuming, as children often do, that her mother is representative of all adults. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Hawthorne wanted to analyze which two aspects in The Scarlet Letter? She resumes wearing the scarlet letter because her past is an important part of her identity; it is not something that should be erased or denied because someone else has decided it is shameful. The narrator finds Hester Prynne compelling because she represents America's past, but also because her experiences reflect his own dilemmas. The Scarlet Letter Chapter 8 Quiz. The scarlet letter is meant to be a symbol of shame, but instead it becomes a powerful symbol of identity to Hester. Her alienation puts her in the position to make acute observations about her community, particularly about its treatment of women. Do You Know The Measures Of Central Tendency. Do You Know All This About Economy And Geography? This passage comes from the introductory section of The Scarlet Letter, in which the narrator details how he decided to write his version of Hester Prynne's story. Dimmesdale is an intelligent and emotional man, and his sermons are thus masterpieces of eloquence and persuasiveness. What was Hawthorne's motivation for writing The Scarlet Letter? Part of his interest in the story is personal—he is descended from the original Puritan settlers of Massachusetts. Hester's illegitimate daughter Pearl is a young girl with a moody, mischievous spirit and an ability to perceive things that others do not. Most people say they saw a scarlet A imprinted on Dimmesdale's chest, but there is conjecture as to its origin. The scarlet letter is meant to be a symbol of shame, but instead it becomes a powerful symbol of identity to Hester. #4: What does Roger Chillingworth vow to do? As Dimmesdale walks in the wilderness, returning from a visit with Apostle Eliot, he hears Hester's voice and is surprised by her presence. Because Hester is married to Chillingworth and he has just arrived. Only Pearl knows why Dimmesdale holds his hand over his heart. Education Details: The Scarlet Letter: Chapter 20 Summary & Analysis Next.Chapter 21. THE MARKET-PLACE. Use your knowledge about the Scarlet Letter to answer these 10 multiple choices and true or false questions. Governor Bellingham is a wealthy, elderly gentleman who spends much of his time consulting with the other town fathers. Never afterwards did it quit her bosom. Download The Scarlet Letter Study Guide. What Hester undergoes is more akin to reconciliation than penitence. Take a quiz about the important details and events in Chapters 3-4 of The Scarlet Letter. Hester has embroidered what symbol onto her dress? The townspeople say that she barely seems human and spread rumors that her unknown father is actually the Devil. Chillingworth becomes Dimmesdale's doctor and guesses the secret. She is commonly known to be a witch who ventures into the forest at night to ride with the "Black Man.". She is not, however, the example of sin that she was once intended to be. . Hawthorn wanted to tell what kind of story in The Scarlet Letter? The letter's meaning shifts as time passes. A detailed description and in-depth analysis of Mistress Hibbins. Removing question excerpt is a premium feature. He now realizes that from the moment they met, the scarlet letter would be at the end of their path. The Scarlet Letter By Nathaniel Hawthorne Trivia Quiz! She creates her own letter out of moss, sees the letter in the breastplate at Governor Bellingham's mansion, and points at it in the forest scene with Hester and Dimmesdale. The letter A on her chest is to be seen as punishment and warning to other. It will not flee from me, for I wear nothing on my bosom yet!". he grass-plot before the jail, in Prison Lane, on a certain summer morning, not … Chillingworth is self-absorbed and both physically and psychologically monstrous. But, compared with a human child, the letter seems insignificant, and thus helps to point out the ultimate meaninglessness of the community's system of judgment and punishment. Come along, Madame Hester, and show your scarlet letter in the market–place!” A lane was forthwith opened through the crowd of spectators. Yet, even as a reminder of Hester's "sin," Pearl is more than a mere punishment to her mother: she is also a blessing. It emphasizes the importance of physical settings in the novel and evokes the motif of civilization versus the wilderness. He is a scholar and uses his knowledge to disguise himself as a doctor, intent on discovering and tormenting Hester's anonymous lover. Search all of SparkNotes Search. Full Glossary for The Scarlet Letter; Essay Questions; Practice Projects; Cite this Literature Note; Summary and Analysis Chapter 17 - The Pastor and His Parishioner Summary. Have you read the book? He is older than she is and had sent her to America while he settled his affairs in Europe. The distorted size of her scarlet letter The unsettling look on Pearl's face 4 of 5. These had been her teachers,—stern and wild ones,—and they had made her strong, but taught her much amiss. Bellingham tends to strictly adhere to the rules, but he is easily swayed by Dimmesdale's eloquence. Use your knowledge about the Scarlet Letter to answer these 10 multiple choices and true or false questions. She assumes control of her own identity, and in so doing she becomes an example for others. Like Hester, the narrator both affirms and resists Puritan values. The unifying force that will bring Hester and Dimmesdale together at the end. Which Harry Potter Hogwarts House Do You Belong To Quiz! It is deeply ironic, too, that it is her punishment, which was intended to help her atone and to make her an example for the community, that has led her into a "moral wilderness" devoid of "rule or guidance." Finally, this passage is a good example of the eloquent, high-flown yet measured style that the narrator frequently adopts when considering the moral or philosophical ramifications of a situation. Hester looks at … Hester primarily wishes Pearl to maintain a sense of decorum and not reveal her mother's secret and the family's plans to flee. The Scarlet Letter, Nathaniel Hawthorne’s 1850 novel about Puritan Boston, then known as the Massachusetts Bay Colony, tells the story of Hester Prynne, a woman who has given birth to a child out of wedlock—a grave sin in the deeply religious community. Q. Dimmesdale constantly place his hand over his heart because . Why, the degenerate fellow might as well have been a fiddler!" She had returned, therefore, and resumed,—of her own free will, for not the sternest magistrate of that iron period would have imposed it,—resumed the symbol of which we have related so dark a tale. https://quizlet.com/6812708/the-scarlet-letter-chapter-5-flash-cards Quiz: Which Anime Character Are You Most Like? Reverend Wilson is scholarly yet grandfatherly. But there was a more real life for Hester Prynne here, in New England, than in that unknown region where Pearl had found a home. Themes and Colors Key LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in The Scarlet Letter, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work. She frequently reveals truths only indirectly by asking pointed questions. Hawthorne wanted to contrast which two eras in The Scarlet Letter? https://quizlet.com/109431377/the-scarlet-letter-questions-flash-cards He is a stereotypical Puritan father, a literary version of the stiff, starkly painted portraits of American patriarchs. Or, once more, the electric thrill would give her warning—“Behold Hester, here is a companion!” and, looking up, she would detect the eyes of a young maiden glancing at the scarlet letter, shyly and aside, and quickly averted, with a faint, chill crimson in her cheeks as if her purity were somewhat sullied by that momentary glance. Scarlet Letter Chapters 1-8 Test English 11-CP Multiple Choice Identify the choice that best completes the statement or answers the question. Dimmesdale has just walked by Hester and Pearl as part of the Election Day pageantry, and Pearl notices his changed appearance. This passage concludes the book's examination of the theme of individual identity in the face of social judgments. We'll see examples of these themes in the following quotes. He is driven to write, yet the Puritan in him sees the frivolity in such an endeavor: what good, after all, can come of writing this story? Suggestions. Yet in that very question lies the significance of this tale, which interrogates the conflict between individual impulses and systematized social codes. The Scarlet Letter addresses themes such as forgiveness, guilt, truth, identity, and good versus evil. Nor do I—whom the scarlet letter has disciplined to truth, though it be the truth of red–hot iron entering into the soul—nor do I perceive such advantage in his living any longer a life of ghastly emptiness, that I shall stoop to implore thy mercy. The Scarlet Letter Chapter 20 Quiz. Like Pearl, the letter functions as a physical reminder of Hester's affair with Dimmesdale. Home > Quizzes > Literature Quizzes > Nathaniel Hawthorne : The Scarlet Letter Chapters 1-3 Quiz Nathaniel Hawthorne : The Scarlet Letter Chapters 1-3 Quiz Quiz answer choices . Dimmesdale has a plan for himself, Hester, and Pearl. Dimmesdale feels that vengefulness is worse than cowardice. Dimmesdale is a young man who achieved fame in England as a theologian and then emigrated to America. And yet, let them scorn me as they will, strong traits of their nature have intertwined themselves with mine. Maths Quiz About Doubling And Multiplication. Several versions circulate of what actually transpired in the marketplace. Here had been her sin; here, her sorrow; and here was yet to be her penitence. 1. He and Hester became lovers. Thus, for the narrator, the act of writing about Hester becomes not a trivial activity but a means of understanding himself and his social context. "Mother," said [Pearl], "was that the same minister that kissed me by the brook?". Use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. He lusts for revenge, and thus decides to stay in Boston despite his wife's betrayal and disgrace. The quotation concerns the theme of sin and knowledge. Originally intended to mark Hester as an adulterer, the "A" eventually comes to stand for "Able." She is wise far beyond her years, frequently engaging in ironic play having to do with her mother's scarlet letter. The Scarlet Letter quiz Progress: 1 of 15 questions How much do you remember about this book that you were forced to read (and, if you're anything like me, secretly enjoyed) in High School? Preceded by the beadle, and attended by an irregular procession of stern–browed men and unkindly visaged women, Hester Prynne set forth towards the place appointed for her punishment. A summary of Chapters 13 – 14 in Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter. He wants to express his joy. Because she is just a child, Pearl often does not understand the ramifications of the things she sees. . This conversation Takes place a few days after Hester and Pearl's encounter with Dimmesdale in the forest. Individuality and Conformity. On another level, though, Hester's statement suggests that plans made in the forest will not withstand the public scrutiny of the marketplace. The letter A on her chest is to be seen as punishment and warning to other people. The letter's meaning shifts as time passes. The Scarlet Letter is meant to be a symbol of shame, but instead, it becomes a powerful symbol of identity to Hester. Over the course of their first significant conversation in many years, Hester and Dimmesdale decide to run away to Europe together. An Inspector Calls Animal Farm … Summary. Hester tries to convince Dimmesdale to do what during their walks in the woods? As Dimmesdale stands on the scaffold with Hester and Pearl, a meteor traces out an "A" in the night sky. Hester removes the scarlet letter whenever she is alone. Wilson preaches hellfire and damnation and advocates harsh punishment of sinners. . By HesterPrynne | Last updated: Feb 24, 2021, The Scarlet Letter shows us Hester Prynne's story, who has been branded as an adulterer and is shunned by the community. . The letter A on her chest is to be seen as punishment and warning to other people. These queries make her mother uncomfortable and contribute to the text's suspense. impart skills or knowledge to. The Scarlet Letter study guide contains a biography of Nathaniel Hawthorne, literature essays, a complete e-text, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis. The Scarlet Letter flips conventional ideas about religion and the occult. Shame, Despair, Solitude! The meteor is interpreted differently by the rest of the community, which thinks that it stands for "Angel" and marks Governor Winthrop's entry into heaven. Hester's husband in disguise. The Scarlet Letter shows us Hester Prynne's story, who has been branded as an adulterer and is shunned by the community. His commitments to his congregation are in constant conflict with his feelings of sinfulness and need to confess. One result of her "sin" has been her profound alienation from society—she has been forced into the role of philosopher. Have you read the book? The occult stands for honesty, while Puritanism creates repressed liars. The Puritans commonly looked to symbols to confirm divine sentiments. The child bent her chin upon her breast, and contemplated this device with strange interest, even as if the one only thing for which she had been sent into the world was to make out its hidden import. It runs away and hides itself, because it is afraid of something on your bosom. Because it’s like 10,000 spoons when all you need is a knife. Why is the first scaffold scene very ironic? Finally, it becomes indeterminate: the Native Americans who come to watch the Election Day pageant think it marks her as a person of importance and status. Subscribe Now Reverend Dimmesdale walks with the magistrates, looking positively energetic. Important Quotes. Hester endures years of shame and scorn. Our online the scarlet letter trivia quizzes can be adapted to suit your requirements for taking some of the top the scarlet letter quizzes. Quiz: Which Character From ACOTAR Book You Are? Like all historical novels, The Scarlet Letter is a work that looks back … Do with him as thou wilt! “Hester Prynne,” said he, fixing his naturally stern regard on the wearer of the scarlet letter, “there hath been much question concerning thee of late. She creates a life in which the scarlet letter is a symbol of adversity overcome and of knowledge gained rather than a sign of failure or condemnation. A love story with a love triangle, a married couple, and culpable characters. Sin. How does Chillingworth figure out who Pearl's father really is? "A writer of story-books! Trivia Quiz. Rather, she is an example of redemption and self-empowerment. Pearl is a sort of living version of her mother's scarlet letter. There is … What kind of a business in life,—what mode of glorifying God, or being serviceable to mankind in his day and generation,—may that be? #2: What is Hester's punishment? What finally convinces Governor Bellingham and Reverend Wilson to let Hester retain guardianship over Pearl? The book shows us Hester's story, who gets punished as a result of cheating on her husband and is branded with a scarlet letter A on her breasts to show people who she is. Hester's realization that different rules apply in the marketplace than in the forest has more significant consequences than she realizes, making this yet another ironic moment in the text. To Dimmesdale, the meteor implies that he should wear a mark of shame just as Hester does. The letter "A" signifies that Hester is an "adulterer." Like Governor Bellingham, Wilson follows the community's rules strictly but can be swayed by Dimmesdale's eloquence. . False. A letter—the letter A—but freshly green instead of scarlet. Includes Hawthorne's reasons for writing The Scarlet Letter, detailed descriptions of main characters, 5 quotes explained, and 3 main symbols explained. "This scarlet letter is his mark!" She had wandered, without rule or guidance, in a moral wilderness. Tags: Question 22 . Perfect for acing essays, tests, and quizzes, as well as for writing lesson plans. Start studying The Scarlet Letter. Mistress Hibbins is a widow who lives with her brother, Governor Bellingham, in a luxurious mansion. Such are the compliments bandied between my great-grandsires and myself, across the gulf of time! Pearl is frequently aware of things that others do not see, and here she presciently identifies the scarlet letter on her mother's bosom with the metaphorical (and in this case also literal) lack of sunshine in her mother's life. Despite his role as governor of a fledgling American society, he very much resembles a traditional English aristocrat. Hawthorne says it is the first object of which she seemed aware, and she focuses on the letter in many scenes. Chillingworth becomes Dimmesdale 's hand a plan to take Pearl away from Hester, ostensibly for the letter... 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It is only after Dimmesdale is a wealthy, elderly gentleman who spends much of his time consulting the... Character from ACOTAR book You are emotional man, and other study tools and had sent her to America he.