Chapter 2

1. On what note does this chapter begin?

-This chapter begins on a negative note. The day is nice, but everyone gathered around knows
that something bad is going on.
2. What is Hawthorne saying about the Puritan women of the New World?
-Hawthorne is saying that the Puritan women of the New World were too interested in the
punishment of other women. They would get as close to the punishment platform and watch
what was going on
3. For what sin is Hester Payne condemned?
-Adultery
4. What is the Old Testament punishment for adultery?
-Death
5. What is the public view of Hesters sin as expressed by the women outside the
prison? What do their comments suggest about this society?
-The public think Hesters sin was terrible and that she deserves to die. This shows that society
was very tough and religious, and they lived by the bibles strict rules.
6. What is Hesters punishment?
-She has to wear a scarlet letter A on her clothing for the rest of her life and she has to stand
on the scaffold for 3 hours and be mocked.
7. What is surprising about the A Hester has sewn for herself? What might this
indicate?
-It was very ornate and artistically done, more so than what is allowed by the colony. The ladies
gossip that this makes it seem that she is proud of her sins.
8. What is accomplished by Hawthornes allusion to the Madonna and Child?
-There are parallels drawn between Mary and Hester and how they draw their strength from
their baby. Also, there are parallels drawn between the baby and Jesus and their innocence
9. Considering the common use of physiognomy in pre-twentieth-century literature,
what might Hawthorne be suggesting by portraying Hester as extremely

beautiful?
-The use of physiognomy, the judging of a persons natural character based on looks, would
have in this case meant that Hester was a kind person. She was portrayed as beautiful and
elegant, so she should have a matching personality based on physiognomy.
10. What does the Flashback reveal about Hesters past?
-the flashback revealed that Hester used to live in poverty and had many memories that
suddenly flooded back. There was one part about a man that was thin and old and had some
sort of power over her soul, and that greatly affected her
Chapter 3
1. What purpose does the conversation between the townsman and the stranger at the
beginning of this chapter serve?
-The conversation between the townsman and the stranger at the beginning of this chapter
serves as a cover up because the stranger, who was actually her husband and goes by Roger
Chillingworth, didnt want anyone to know that he knew who Hester was, so he asked this
question to make it seem like they had no relation.
2. Why wasnt Hester sentenced to death for her adultery?
-hester wasnt sentenced to death for her adultery because she was young and pretty, and she
probably lost her husband at sea, so they had mercy on her
3. Where has the stranger been? What motion does he make to Hester?
-The stranger has been at the marketplace, watching Hester.
4. Who is Dimmsdale? What appeal does he use to convince Hester to reveal the
babys father?
-Dimmsdale is the pastor of the church.He tells Hester she would be doing a justice by revealing
the father's identity because he would no longer live with hypocrisy and guilt.
5. What is Hawthorne foreshadowing with the strangers prediction that the name of
the father will eventually be disclosed?
-The stranger predicted that the name of the father would eventually be disclosed, which
foreshadowed that the strangers identity would also eventually be disclosed.
6. What is ironic about Dimmesdales reaction to Hesters refusal to name the father

of her child?
-Dimmesdales reaction to Hesters refusal to name the father of her child was ironic because he
seemingly tried so hard to get her to admit it, but he really didnt want her saying it was him.
7. Explain the allusion in the townsmans telling Chillingworth, that matter
remaineth a riddle; and the Daniel who shall expound it is yet a-wanting.
-by this he alluded that Daniel was a man in the bible who was hired to decode King
Nebuchadnezzars dreams, and that they needed someone to be able to figure out whats going
on here like the way he did.
Chapter 4
1. Who does the stranger Hester recognized in the crowd that afternoon turn out to
be?
-The stranger Hester recognized in the crowd that afternoon turned out to be her husband, who
now goes by Roger Chillingworth.
2. Why does Hester fear Chillingworth
-Hester is afraid Chillingworth will poison her baby in spite of her sin against him.
3. Again, given the use of physiognomy in literature, what is Hawthorne suggesting
by Chillingworths aged, deformed appearances?
-With the use of physiognomy, Hawthorne suggests by Chillingworths aged, deformed
appearances that he would be a bad person because hes ugly on the outside, so he might be
as well on the inside.
4. Explain Chllingworths attitude toward Hester.
-Chillingworhts attitude toward Hester was compassionate and forgiving. He said that they both
had done wrong things and didnt seem to be seeking revenge on her
5. What does Chillingworth intend to do and why?
-Chillingworth intends to find out who the father is because he wishes to seek revenge on this
man
.6. What does Chillingworth ask Hester to promise? Why does she agree?
-Chillingworth makes Hester promise not to reveal his identity as her husband. She agrees
because he promises in return not to harm the father.

7. What is foreshadowed by Chillingworth and Hesters exchang e at the end of the chapter?
-Chillingworths and Hesters exchange at the end of the chapter foreshadows that the
agreement they made will cost someone their soul
Chapter 5
1. How s Hesters emergence from the prison at the end of her confinement different from her
emergence on the day she stood in public humiliation?
-Hesters emergence from the prison at the end of her confinement was different from her
emergence the day she stood in public humiliation because it was more torturous. At least
before there were people pointing fingers at her and scolding her for the wrong she had done,
but now she was a free woman and was allowed to step out into the sunshine of the beautiful
day
2. What traditional dichotomy does Hawthorne begin to establish with the location of Hesters
cottage?
-The traditional dichotomy Hawthorne began to establish with the location of Hesters cottage
was how she wanted to stay a part of the colony that she was, in, but at the same time she
didnt want to. Thats why she did stay within the colony grounds, but she went to the far
outskirts as to remove herself as much s possible without leaving completely. There is also the
contrast between the fact that the people hated her, yet they needed her to sew things for her.
Another contrast is that she could go to a place of freedom, but instead she chose to stay in
Boston, where shes neither wanted nor free.
3. Give two reasons why Hester decides to remain instead of moving to a less-restrictive colony.
-Hester decided to stay within the colony because here she was rooted in a way; she had
sinned there, and deserved to live out her punishment there. The second reason was because
her lover, Dimmesdale was there.
4. How do the townspeople treat Hester, and how does she react?
-The people in the town treated her in a way that reminded her that she was banished
Hester reacted to this treatment by ignoring the comments, and praying for the people who
were rude to her.
5. How does Hesters character evolve?
-Hesters character evolved because before, she had a weaker character, always letting people
get a reaction about her, but now she doesnt even react when they insult her and she doesnt
even care. The people in the town treated her in a way that reminded her that she was
banished

6. Describe the difference between Hesters clothing and her childs

-Hesters clothing was made of rough materials and gloomy colors, where Pearls were made
beautifully to show off her liveliness.
7. What point is Hawthorne making about an individuals ability to separate oneself from ones
wrongdoings?
-Hawthorne made the point that an individual has a hard time separating oneself from ones
wrongdoing, and its like the wrongdoing has already burnt itself into the person. Hester could
never get rid of the scarlet letter, and she could never get rid of the guilty feeling
8. Where do Hawthornes sympathies lie? How do you know?
-Hawthornes sympathies lie with Hester because he describes how terrible her life was, and
that she feels really bad about it all, and everyone treats her poorly. Her life was in anguish,
and he felt sorry for her.