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The Scarlet Letter

Written by Nathaniel Hawthorne, The Scarlet Letter is set in the early Puritan society of North America. The novel's deepest implications warn against the dangers of breaking from society and pursuing selfish individual goals. Questions can range from theme and plot inquiries, to questions on characterizations and more.

875 Questions

How does roger chillingworth gain entrance to the prison?

Roger Chillingworth gains entrance to the prison by positioning himself as a doctor with expertise in natural remedies and healing. He convinces the prison warden that he can provide medical care for the imprisoned Hester Prynne.

What effect does Hester's information about chillingworth have on dimmesdale?

Dimmesdale realizes Chillingworth is not the friend he thought he was. He decides to dismiss Chillingworth later on and not take in his remedies. Hester basically told him that Chillingworth is her husband and he's out to discover his secret.

What does chillingworth note aboit dimmesdale defense of Hester?

Chillingworth notes that Dimmesdale seems to defend Hester out of guilt or a sense of responsibility rather than genuine affection. He sees Dimmesdale's defense as more about preserving his own reputation and avoiding public shame rather than true care for Hester.

Why does chillingworth seek the association between him and dimmesdale?

Chillingworth knows he is old and is no longer attractive to Hester even though he is her spouse. She is more attracted to someone of Dimmesdale's ways so he believes creating this association with Dimmesdale will help him retain his ways in order to help win Hester's love back.

Why does chillingworth visit Hester in prison?

Chillingworth visits Hester in prison to confront her about her relationship with Dimmesdale and to assert his control over her. He wants to extract information from her and further manipulate the situation to seek revenge on Dimmesdale.

What punishment would the puritan women have given hester prynne if it were left to them in the scarlet letter?

The Puritan women might have subjected Hester Prynne to harsher public humiliation and possibly physical punishment, such as flogging or branding. They may have also advocated for more severe religious penance to atone for her sin of adultery.

What punishment would the puritan woman give Hester in the scarlet letter?

The punishment given to Hester Prynne in "The Scarlet Letter" by Nathaniel Hawthorne is to wear a scarlet "A" on her chest for committing adultery. This punishment is meant to publicly shame and ostracize her from society, in line with the Puritan beliefs of the time.

In the Scarlet Letter what important question related to Hester's crime is still unanswered?

One important question related to Hester's crime in "The Scarlet Letter" is the identity of the child's father. Despite speculation and rumors, the true identity of Pearl's father remains a mystery throughout the novel, leading to uncertainty and intrigue surrounding Hester's sin.

The Scarlet Letter what is Hester prynne's crime?

She had an affair with Dimmesdale, the minister, while she was still married to a man, Roger Chillingworth, who had been in the woods for a long time. She did not love Chillingworth (thats not his real name by the way, but the narrator does not remember it and that is what Chillingworth addresses himself as.) she was in love with Dimmesdale. She got pregnant and little Pearl came out. The Magistrates questioned who was pearls father but she never told. it was not really a crime, it was more of a sin i guess.

How long was Robert chillingworth gone for?

Roger Chillingworth, not Robert, was away for 2 years before returning to Boston and discovering Hester Prynne's adultery.

Why is roger chillingworth evil?

Roger Chillingworth is considered evil because of his obsession with revenge. He becomes consumed by his desire to seek vengeance on Arthur Dimmesdale, leading him to manipulate and torment Dimmesdale psychologically. Chillingworth's actions are driven by a deep-seated bitterness and desire for retribution, ultimately causing harm to others.

What advantage did chillingworth have over dimmesdale?

Chillingworth had the advantage of being close to Dimmesdale as his physician, allowing him to closely observe Dimmesdale's physical and emotional state. This proximity gave him insights into Dimmesdale's guilt and allowed him to manipulate the situation to his advantage. Additionally, Chillingworth was motivated by revenge, giving him a single-minded determination to uncover Dimmesdale's secret.

Name 3 crimes and the punishments that the puritans might witness in The Scarlet Letter?

1. sluggish bondservant or an undutiful child who's parents had given them to the civil authority that would be corrected at the whipping post.

2. that an antinomian, a quaker, or other heterodox religionist, was to be run out of the town, or an idle and vagrant indian, whom the white man's firewater had made riotous about the streets, was to be driven with stripes into the shadow of the forest.

3. that a witch, like old mistress hibbins, the bitter-tempered widow of the magistrate, was to die at the gallows.

What is the prison called in scarlet letter?

The prison in "The Scarlet Letter" is referred to as the "jail" or "gaol" in the novel. It is where Hester Prynne is initially held before her public shaming and serves as a symbol of the strict Puritan society's justice system.

In the Scarlet Letter Name 3 crimes and the punishments that the Puritans might witness?

1. sluggish bondservant or an undutiful child who's parents had given them to the civil authority that would be corrected at the whipping post.

2. that an antinomian, a quaker, or other heterodox religionist, was to be run out of the town, or an idle and vagrant indian, whom the white man's firewater had made riotous about the streets, was to be driven with stripes into the shadow of the forest.

3. that a witch, like old mistress hibbins, the bitter-tempered widow of the magistrate, was to die at the gallows.

What does Hester do to make it as though the past had never been?

Hester focuses on rebuilding her reputation and creating a new life for herself by living a life of virtue and selflessness, while also giving back to her community. She devotes herself to her daughter Pearl and becomes an active participant in charitable work, which helps to reshape her identity and diminish the impact of her scandalous past.

Where has the stranger been What motion does he make to Hester?

He has been in an Indian prison and makes a "be quiet/shhh"motion by putting a finger to his lips.

What is remarkable about the Scarlet letter Hester makes what do you think is Hawthorne suggesting I having Hester make such a letter?

Hester's letter in the scarlet letter is extraordinary because even though it is a symbol o her shame, it turn out that it is er 'pride'. she took so much time to decorate her letter into something that would stand out once lace on her bosom. the letter, the book states, is decorated with fine thread and done with such skill work that, even as Hester stands on the platform to show of her sin, the letter fascinates and draws the attention of the audience in the crow; particularly the women. latter on in the book, Hester's letter is symbolized into a different meaning- an "able" person. when the town people See's her, they no longer cast her away put praises her. They Bragg to all who come to their town of Hester. To Dimmesdale, Hester's letter has given her strengh it had been her teacher and because of it, she has become a stronger, wiser, and better person. The letter to Pearl is a part of her mother...it is who her mother is and always will be. without the letter, a Young Pearl was unable to recognize her mother. To Hester, her letter what make her well her. with it she is loses her feminist and without it she is set free.

Why are Hester and pearl out in the middle of the night in the scarlet letter?

Hester and Pearl are out in the middle of the night in "The Scarlet Letter" because Pearl wanted to see the governor, who was returning from a night out. Hester also needed to speak with the governor about Pearl's custody.

Describe Arthur's conversation with mistress hibbins?

In Nathaniel Hawthorne's novel "The Scarlet Letter," Mistress Hibbins approaches Arthur Dimmesdale and hints at his secret sins, suggesting she knows his guilt. Dimmesdale doesn't explicitly reveal his wrongdoing but seems disturbed by her insight. The conversation adds to Dimmesdale's inner turmoil and sense of guilt.

Why would pearl not come to hester What does pearl require hester to do before she will come to hester?

Pearl is not meant to be a realistic character. Rather, she is a complicated symbol of an act of love and passion, an act which was also adultery. She appears as an infant in the first scaffold scene, then at the age of three, and finally at the age of seven

What did arthur decide to do to get away from roger chillingworth?

Arthur decided to escape from Roger Chillingworth by leaving Boston and going to live in Europe. This decision was driven by his guilt over his affair with Hester Prynne and his desire to start afresh away from Chillingworth's torment.

How does arthur react to hester telling him the truth about chillingworth?

Arthur is shocked and devastated when Hester tells him the truth about Chillingsworth's identity as her husband. He is filled with guilt and remorse for his role in their suffering and realizes the extent of the deception and betrayal that have taken place. Ultimately, he is driven to seek redemption for his sins and make amends for the wrongs he has committed.

In what way was roger chillingworth exacting his revenge on arthur?

Roger Chillingworth exacted his revenge on Arthur Dimmesdale by tormenting him emotionally and psychologically. As Dimmesdale's doctor, Chillingworth exploited his position to constantly remind Dimmesdale of his guilt and shame, causing him immense suffering. Chillingworth's presence and manipulation ultimately contributed to Dimmesdale's deteriorating mental and physical health, leading to his eventual demise.

Where does hester meet up with chillingworth?

Hester meets up with Chillingworth in the prison where she is being held for her public shaming. Chillingworth arrives in the colony and poses as a doctor in order to gain access to Hester and extract information about her relationship with Dimmesdale.