SL Test Flashcards
How did Hawthorne have associated guilt with the Salem witch trials?
He was related to Judge Hawthorne
Where does the Scarlet letter take place?
Boston Massachusetts 1650
What does the prison door symbolizing chapter 1 of the scarlet letter?
Harsh Puritan ways (authority)
What is the irony of the scaffold scene in which Hester is forced to stand on the scaffold with Pearl as a baby?
Pearl is the embodiment of her Scarlet letter
What action is commonly made by Dimmesdale throughout the novel?
Placing his hand over his heart
Who is “the Leach” in chapter 9
Chillingworth, Dr. means sucking the life out of Dimmesdale
Although he has dedicated his life to making Dimmesdale miserable, Chillingworth pretends to be more concerned with what?
Dimmesdale’s health and his profession as a doctor
What does Hester do for living?
Seamstress
What does Pearl notice on her mother, even as a babe?
The Scarlet letter, A
Why is Dimmesdale afraid to confront his daughter?
She is the embodiment of the Scarlet letter
Who does pearl claim her maker is?
Rose bush
Who is Mistress Hibbins?
Billingham’s sister, a witch
What do Hester and Dimmesdale speak of in the forest?
Running away to Europe
What lights up the scene on the scaffold where Hester, Pearl, and Dimmesdale are brought together for the first time?
A meteor = A for adultery
Commoners = A for angel
Who does Pearl enjoy torturing towards the end of the novel?
Her mother Hester
When Hester is informed that she may be able to lawfully remove the Scarlet letter from herbalism, how does she respond?
She says no, “only God can remove my Scarlet letter”
What do the following symbolize? The prison door The rosebush The forest The brook The "A"
Strict Puritan law Pearl's wild nature, beautiful girl, painful to be around Wild dark, where passion can flourish Pearl's mysterious nature, babbling Adultery and able
How does pearl react when Hester takes off scarlet letter?
Throws a fit until her mom would put back on the Scarlet letter
How does Pearl break the “spell” at the end of the novel?
Kisses Dimmesdale
How does Pearl transform from the beginning to the end of the novel?
At the beginning – evil mocking her mom/happy married adult
How does Chillingworth discovered Dimmesdale’s Scarlet letter?
Open Dimmesdale’s shirt when he is sleeping
Who gives Hester medicine in the prison and asks her to keep his identity secret?
Chillingworth
How does Chillingworth transform from the beginning to the end of the novel?
Evil / never stops torturing Dimmesdale
After a while, the townspeople see Hester’s “A” in a different light. How have they changed their meaning?
Now instead of adultery it means able – to overcome her lustful ways
How does Chillingworth spoil Hester and Dimmesdale’s plans to run away together?
Tells the captain he is part of Hesters party and assumes the responsibility for Dimmesdale
What gruesome sight does Dimmesdale reveal on the scaffold?
His letter A, scar
Who was the black man throughout the novel?
Devil
Describe Hesters attire throughout the novel?
Conservative clothing, Scarlet letter on her breast
How does Chillingworth view Dimmesdale’s “disease”?
Spiritual / emotional woes, one of the heart
How is Pearl wise beyond her years? What does she noticed that a typical seven-year-old might not be aware of regarding her mother, Dimmesdale, and Chillingworth?
She aunderstands the connection of all three. In the beginning realizes her mother’s pain, Dimmesdale’s remorse, and Chillingworth’s evil ways
Who lives in a cottage on the seashore?
Hester
