The Scarlet Letter Flashcards
What are the themes of the novel
Public punishment and humiliation and affects of sin
Which one of the following are important in the novel: scaffold, sun, forest, church
All but church
What adjectives would you use to describe Hester?
Shy, ashamed, embarrassed, and annoyed
What happens at the end of the story to Hester?
Stays in Boston to be close to pearl
What happens at the end of the story to Pearl?
She gets married and possibly had a child
What happens at the end of the story to dimmsdale?
Died on the scaffold
What happens at the end of the story to chillingworth?
Died a year after dimmsdale
What imagery can you use to describe pearl?
Confident, bubbly, cautious of her mother
What does the scaffold do in the story?
It is the place for public punishment and embarrassment especially for Hester
What were Hester’s motivations in the story?
Pearl and her name
What conflicts were in the story?
Pearl having feelings for AD, Hester keeping RC a secret, Hester committing adultery with AD, pearl getting called witch baby because of her mothers actions
What does AD placing his hand over his heart suggest?
He is nervous and guilty about something
What was Hester’s way of making money?
Embroidery and making clothes
What is the setting of the story?
Boston
What is the time setting?
Mid 17th century, 1600s, 7 years
How long had Hester and RC been apart?
2 years
How old was RC?
Much older than Hester
How did the poor people treat Hester?
They looked down on her
How did the attitude of the town change over the years?
They ignored Hester more and excepted her mistake
What did pearl do at the end of the story?
Got married and had a baby
How does Hester feel about AD at the end?
She still loves him
Does AD ever reveal his sin to the town?
Yes he does. On the scaffold
What does the ship captain reveal to Hester?
That RC is going on their ship with them
Who is the ugly deformed man in the story?
RC
Who died the night of the ministers vigil?
Governor Winthrall
Who frequently preached about Hester and was the oldest clergyman?
John Wilson
Who was the ordained minister, well educated, and weak?
AD
Who protects her loved ones at any cost?
Hester
Who is the governors sister?
Mistress Hibbons
Who wants to take pearl away from Hester?
The governor Billingham
Who is a beautiful child, willful and very temperamental?
Pearl
Why does Hester refuse to reveal he identity of pearls father?
Because she loves him
What takes RC so long to get to Boston?
He gets captured by Indians
Who pleads with Hester at the beginning of the story to tell who the father is?
AD
Does Hester speak to RC when he comes to the prison?
Yes
What does RC give to pearl while in prison?
Vaccine
What does RC promise to Hester about her lover?
He can’t hurt the father of pearl
How is Hester treated at the beginning of the book by the people of the town?
She is not respected but is looked down on
How does Hester dress pearl?
In beautiful dresses
How do the people treat her?
She gets punished for her mothers sin and is considered a witch baby
Who threatens to take Pearl away from Hester?
The governor
What do the people of Boston accept RC as professionally?
A physician
Does AD try to justify to himself about his sin?
Yes (whips himself, starves, and holds prayer vigils)
How do the members of the church feel about AD?
They like him but feel he is guilty for something
Who joins AD on the scaffold that night?
Hester and Pearl
What does AD promise Pearl?
That he won’t hold her hand in public
After seven years, how do the people treat Hester?
Differently and more respectively
When the magistrates tell Hester she does not have to wear the A what does she do?
Wear it anyway
What does AD do when he finds out that RC is her husband?
He is furious and realizes RC used him for revenge but at the end he forgives her
In the forest what do Hester and AD plan to do?
Run away to England together
Does Hester regret that she ever loved AD?
.
No
What does Pearl do after AD kisses her?
Wipes it off
What does Hester book? And for who?
A trip to Europe with ADA and Pearl
Does AD die before or after he confesses?
After
When does RC die?
A year after AD
Does Hester still wear the A?
Yes
What happened to Pearl?
She got married and had a baby
What does the scarlet letter symbolize?
Adultery, able, and angel
Who does RC decide to get revenge on when he discovers his wife is an adulteress?
AD
Why does AD not confess for 7 years?
He does not want to share his sin
What does RC torture AD with for 7 years?
Living with him
What is the result of Hester’s sin?
Wearing an A on her chest
What is the black man?
The devil
What unites the four major characters in the story?
Pearl
How does Hester show us she is going to start a new life while in the forest?
Takes her hair down and takes off the A
What is AD only salvation?
The election sermon
What is AD greatest sin?
Hurting himself and not confessing?
How does Hester make it through public shame all those years?
For AD and Pearl
What is the central conflict of the story?
Hester and AD adultery
What is the scarlet letters main concern?
Effect of sin
When does Pearl become more like a human child?
When AD dies and she kisses him and cries
What is the climax of the story?
AD confession
