Chapter 1
2. The significance of the rosebush outside the prison door, was to show that there is still beauty in nature out side of the prison that holds the condemned. There is still goodness and forgiveness in the world.
Chapter 2
4. Hester's first action in the novel is to walk from the prison to the scaffold. She walks out looking elegant and has the baby cuddled closely to her. This shows that she is a strong, independent woman.
5. According to the narrator, the greatest outrage is to "forbid the culprit to hide his face for shame; as it was the essence of this punishment to do". I disagree because if criminals were allowed to hide, they would never own up to their actions.
Chapter 3
7. He stranger is old, yet concerned with Hester. She and the stranger keep making eye contact almost like they know each other.
9. Dimmesdale was a well respected clergyman, who was white and tall. He has an eloquent way of speaking.
10. Dimmesdale wants Hester to tell on her fellow sinner. Hester refuses and squeezes Pearl and she lets out a cry.
11. Hester says that the scarlet letter symbolizes her sin and can never be removed.
Chapter 4
13. He knows that he deprived Hester of her youth by marrying her too young, but Hester was also wrong for cheating on him.
Chapter 5
16. Hester was married in New England so she says her birthplace is there. Her "self-delusion" is that she wants to pay for her sin, in the place where she committed it. Hester does not want to leave, she wants to pay for her sin.
17. She is on the outskirts of town and this shows her seclusion from the rest of the town.
20. She feels sympathetic towards others sin, almost like she can see it. She is terrified by this.
Chapter 6
22. He says she is like a demon child, put on the Earth to punish Hester.
24. It seems like Hester resents that Pearl has been born but she knows that it isn't her fault. Pearl is the result of Hesters sin. The conflict might occur if Hester doesn't accept Pearl.
Chapter 7
26. Pearls dress was made to look like her mothers scarlet letter. Pearl is like a living scarlet letter always causing her mother issues.
27. The governors mansion is clean and uplifting. The sunshine beams through the windows and documents hanging on the wall. This shows that Puritans have a happy home and follow the rules.
Chapter 8
29. The Governor says that he has to take Pearl away because he doesn't want her turning out like her mother. They believe that Hester is not capable of taking care of her and teaching her the correct Puritan way of life. They examine Pearl to see if Hester has taught her Christian values. Her response makes the Governor have more reasons to take her because when asked, who her heavenly father is, she doesn’t know.
30. Hester tells the Governor that they cannot take Pearl because even though she has committed a sin, she still had her motherly rights to raise her right. Having Pearl and the Scarlet letter is enough reminder of her sin. The minister supports Hester because he says that Hester has created Pearl.
Chapter 9
33. Chillingworth has made up the name of Roger Chillingworth and has hid his identity from everyone except from his wife, Hester. He also tells that he is a doctor based from his studies and remedies. We are suspicious of his professional and social motivations because we can tell that he has tried to kill Dimmesdale with his medicines and herbs. Chillingworth mentioned he was taking care of him but overtime, Dimmesdale has gotten worse.
36. The decorations shown in Dimmesdale's room are King David, Bathseba, and Nathan the Prophet. King David seduced Bathseba, so Nathan went to kill David for committing adultery with Bathseba. This is significant because Dimmesdale has committed the same sin as David and Bathseba had done. The decorations remind Dimmesdale everyday what he has done and he may go through what King David did.
Chapter 10
40. Dimmesdale asks Chillingworth about a plant that is growing near a grave and he thinks that the plant signifies the sin that the person who died did not confess it. Chillingworth says to Dimmesdale that one should not keep their sins a secret but Dimmesdale thinks that it is okay for someone to
keep it even after death. Dimmesdale leaves the room because he knows he is one of those people that will keep his sin a secret and feels guilty. The larger significance of this conversation is that each of them is talking about the same thing.
42. The important discovery that Chillingworth makes while Dimmesdale is sleeping is that he discovers why Dimmesdale holds his hands over his chest.
The narrator describes Chillingworth with a look of joy and horror as he shuttered and turned away. Joy because he had found the man that he told Hester
he would find and seek revenge on and horror because Dimmesdale is the priest and he was the one who committed adultery with Hester.
Chapter 11
44. Even though Dimmesdale confessed, the puritans still believed that he was a good man. The narrator's tone is basically straight forward and tells things like it is.
Chapter 12
46. Dimmesdale goes to stand on the scaffold because he feels guilt of what he has done and regrets it. He wants the town to know that he is Hester's fellow sinner but he decides to go on the scaffold at night, which doesn't make any sense because nobody will see him there.
49. Pearl asks Dimmesdale if he will stand there with them the next day and he answers that he won't but he will on judgment day, which is the day that the truth of who he really is will be revealed. This interaction is significant because Dimmesdale know why he's there but also little Pearl has the feeling of what Dimmesdale and Hester know. On judgment day, all three of them will stand there as a family and will have to face guilt and humiliation
together.
50.The sign that appeared in the sky was a meteor and was described as a bow, a sword, or the letter "A" that meant for angel.
Chapter 13
53. Hester's position in the community has changed because she has started helping out the people in need by knitting their clothes. The perception of the Scarlet letter went from "Adultery" to "Able" because she has tried to help others. The comment of the Scarlet letter had not done its office was because the Scarlet letter was suppose to make Hester feel bad and regret what she done. But instead of that, she has helped and tried to do right.
54. Hester's appearance has changed because she has cut her hair and is starting to act like what a normal puritan woman would act like. She has thought about what is the right way to act and is changing for the good.
Chapter 14
56. Chillingworth tells Hester that Dimmesdale knows what his intents are towards him and knows that he is not doing any good being around him. He refuses to leave him alone because he is willing to seek revenge no matter what it takes. Dimmesdale has increased his debt by letting Chillingworth
be around him all the time.
Chapter 15
59. What Hester means by this is that she does not want to tell Pearl what the real meaning of the Scarlet letter is but if Pearl keeps asking, sooner or later she is going to have to reveal the truth to her. The narrator says that Pearl needs a grief to make her capable of sympathy.
Chapter 16
60. Hester does not visit Dimmesdale in his study because of the amount of air that would be in the room and she thinks they would need more when they talk. Hester's desired meeting place is in the woods and this shows that Hester wants them to meet in a place where nobody will see them and they will be alone with nobody around. Also, it shows that they don't want no more comments and that they still need to keep their relationship a secret due to the
reputation of Dimmesdale as a priest.
63. Pearl keeps asking what is the big significance of the Scarlet letter and why Dimmesdale always seems to cover his chest up. This shows that the relationship between Hester and Pearl has bad communication because Hester does not want to tell the answers to Pearl, maybe because she is too small to understand or just because she just does not want to.
Chapter 17
66. Hester tries to support Dimmesdale by saying that people look up to him and that he has done a good job as a pastor. But, Dimmesdale tells her that he has not done his job because of his sin and that he feels miserable. Dimmesdale thinks bad of himself because he knows that he is suppose to be a good person from the puritans view but knowing that he has committed a sin makes him feel bad.
67. Hester reveals the true identity of Chillingworth because of Dimmesdale. Dimmesdale feels stupid because he has been living with this man for a long time and he was not able to recognize who he was. His reaction was that he was surprised and told her that she would never forgive her. My reaction was also surprising because she had Chillingworth that she would never tell who he was and now, Dimmesdale knows.
68. They need each other because they are the only two that still support each other and are the ones that know the reasons of why they did
what they did.
Chapter 18
69. This is intended to describe Hester's character because she makes decisions that go against Puritan society. Running away, committing Adultery, and lying about certain character's identities.
70. After Hester removes the Scarlet Letter, the sun shines on her and leaves gloom. The significance of the statement was Pearl meant that having the Scarlet letter made the sunshine get away from her because of the significance of the letter. Afterwards, Hester removes the Scarlet letter and the sun shines on her like never before. With this, we know that the reason why Hester was not receiving any light in her life was because of what she had done
in her past.
Chapter 19
71. Pearl does not like the fact that her mother has removed the Scarlet letter and wants her to put it back. She has been used to seeing her mom with the scarlet letter and she feels like she will not be able to recognize her mother from the other women. Pearl rejects the kiss from Dimmesdale because she doesn't like him giving all the attention to his mom, and he doesn't hold their hand when they walk back to town.
Chapter 20
73. The first temptation was what the Deacon said. The Second was what the female member of the church said to him. The third was wanting to
have relations with the young woman. The last temptation he faces was to teach bad words to the children he sees. Dimmesdale knows that it is not his normal self and asks himself if he had make contact with the devil in the forest and is the reason of why he is having these temptations.
74. Mistress Hibbins asks Dimmesdale and Hester if they wanted to sign their name in the Devil's book. Hester would have signed the devil's book if they were to take Pearl from her but she didn't because Pearl was the reason she was still on earth and it was her job to take care of her.
Chapter 21
76. Everyone in the town is too busy putting their attention on the new Governor and all that Hester thinks about is how she is going to leave New England. In contrast, Pearl is in a good mood while her mother is depressed. This is the result of and underlying connection between mother and daugther because although Pearl is happy, she tries to support her mother and feels bad for her. This is important because the connection that they have, makes them feel a bit of what the other feels too.
78. Hester receives the news that Chillingworth will also be going on the boat with them. This suggests a tragedy because there is no point getting in the boat if the whole reason they were leaving was to get away from Chillingworth.
Chapter 22
80. Dimmesdale changes by acting normal again and not showing his suffering. This affects Hester because she feels as if she barely knows him and will never see the old Dimmesdale she knew. This foreshadows tragedy because Dimmesdale will never be like before and he knows that he's life is coming to an end and is trying to change.
Chapter 23
83. During his sermon, Hester feels the Scarlet letter to burn and us symbolic because it shows what the Scarlett letter has done to her and Chillingworth and making them both feel guilt and regret.
85. Roger Chillingworth feels a bit relieved and gets on his knees. Hester supports him because that is something she thought was the best that could happen. Pearl finally kisses him and has sympathy towards him. Most importantly, Dimmesdale feels relieved and finally a feeling of goodness because he has now finally told the truth and has nothing to hide.
86. Dimmesdale's last words was telling Hester to be quiet and let others say what they want. He tells her that their opinion does not matter because only God has that right to judge others and decide if they can be a family. There is significance because he now knows that nobody can decide whether he should live happily except for God.
Chapter 24
87. After Dimmesdale's death, there was a problem deciding whether there was something on Dimmesdale's chest or not. Some say that because of Chillingworth's potions, Dimmesdale had a Scarlet letter on his chest. Other say that there was nothing on his chest at the time of his death. A year after
his death, Chillingworth dies and leaves Pearl money. Hester and Pearl disappear but after many years, Hester comes back without Pearl. She decides to live in a cottage and does what she had done before she left Boston. Years later, Hester dies and is put beside Dimmesdale's grave and share the letter "A" on the headstone.
2. The significance of the rosebush outside the prison door, was to show that there is still beauty in nature out side of the prison that holds the condemned. There is still goodness and forgiveness in the world.
Chapter 2
4. Hester's first action in the novel is to walk from the prison to the scaffold. She walks out looking elegant and has the baby cuddled closely to her. This shows that she is a strong, independent woman.
5. According to the narrator, the greatest outrage is to "forbid the culprit to hide his face for shame; as it was the essence of this punishment to do". I disagree because if criminals were allowed to hide, they would never own up to their actions.
Chapter 3
7. He stranger is old, yet concerned with Hester. She and the stranger keep making eye contact almost like they know each other.
9. Dimmesdale was a well respected clergyman, who was white and tall. He has an eloquent way of speaking.
10. Dimmesdale wants Hester to tell on her fellow sinner. Hester refuses and squeezes Pearl and she lets out a cry.
11. Hester says that the scarlet letter symbolizes her sin and can never be removed.
Chapter 4
13. He knows that he deprived Hester of her youth by marrying her too young, but Hester was also wrong for cheating on him.
Chapter 5
16. Hester was married in New England so she says her birthplace is there. Her "self-delusion" is that she wants to pay for her sin, in the place where she committed it. Hester does not want to leave, she wants to pay for her sin.
17. She is on the outskirts of town and this shows her seclusion from the rest of the town.
20. She feels sympathetic towards others sin, almost like she can see it. She is terrified by this.
Chapter 6
22. He says she is like a demon child, put on the Earth to punish Hester.
24. It seems like Hester resents that Pearl has been born but she knows that it isn't her fault. Pearl is the result of Hesters sin. The conflict might occur if Hester doesn't accept Pearl.
Chapter 7
26. Pearls dress was made to look like her mothers scarlet letter. Pearl is like a living scarlet letter always causing her mother issues.
27. The governors mansion is clean and uplifting. The sunshine beams through the windows and documents hanging on the wall. This shows that Puritans have a happy home and follow the rules.
Chapter 8
29. The Governor says that he has to take Pearl away because he doesn't want her turning out like her mother. They believe that Hester is not capable of taking care of her and teaching her the correct Puritan way of life. They examine Pearl to see if Hester has taught her Christian values. Her response makes the Governor have more reasons to take her because when asked, who her heavenly father is, she doesn’t know.
30. Hester tells the Governor that they cannot take Pearl because even though she has committed a sin, she still had her motherly rights to raise her right. Having Pearl and the Scarlet letter is enough reminder of her sin. The minister supports Hester because he says that Hester has created Pearl.
Chapter 9
33. Chillingworth has made up the name of Roger Chillingworth and has hid his identity from everyone except from his wife, Hester. He also tells that he is a doctor based from his studies and remedies. We are suspicious of his professional and social motivations because we can tell that he has tried to kill Dimmesdale with his medicines and herbs. Chillingworth mentioned he was taking care of him but overtime, Dimmesdale has gotten worse.
36. The decorations shown in Dimmesdale's room are King David, Bathseba, and Nathan the Prophet. King David seduced Bathseba, so Nathan went to kill David for committing adultery with Bathseba. This is significant because Dimmesdale has committed the same sin as David and Bathseba had done. The decorations remind Dimmesdale everyday what he has done and he may go through what King David did.
Chapter 10
40. Dimmesdale asks Chillingworth about a plant that is growing near a grave and he thinks that the plant signifies the sin that the person who died did not confess it. Chillingworth says to Dimmesdale that one should not keep their sins a secret but Dimmesdale thinks that it is okay for someone to
keep it even after death. Dimmesdale leaves the room because he knows he is one of those people that will keep his sin a secret and feels guilty. The larger significance of this conversation is that each of them is talking about the same thing.
42. The important discovery that Chillingworth makes while Dimmesdale is sleeping is that he discovers why Dimmesdale holds his hands over his chest.
The narrator describes Chillingworth with a look of joy and horror as he shuttered and turned away. Joy because he had found the man that he told Hester
he would find and seek revenge on and horror because Dimmesdale is the priest and he was the one who committed adultery with Hester.
Chapter 11
44. Even though Dimmesdale confessed, the puritans still believed that he was a good man. The narrator's tone is basically straight forward and tells things like it is.
Chapter 12
46. Dimmesdale goes to stand on the scaffold because he feels guilt of what he has done and regrets it. He wants the town to know that he is Hester's fellow sinner but he decides to go on the scaffold at night, which doesn't make any sense because nobody will see him there.
49. Pearl asks Dimmesdale if he will stand there with them the next day and he answers that he won't but he will on judgment day, which is the day that the truth of who he really is will be revealed. This interaction is significant because Dimmesdale know why he's there but also little Pearl has the feeling of what Dimmesdale and Hester know. On judgment day, all three of them will stand there as a family and will have to face guilt and humiliation
together.
50.The sign that appeared in the sky was a meteor and was described as a bow, a sword, or the letter "A" that meant for angel.
Chapter 13
53. Hester's position in the community has changed because she has started helping out the people in need by knitting their clothes. The perception of the Scarlet letter went from "Adultery" to "Able" because she has tried to help others. The comment of the Scarlet letter had not done its office was because the Scarlet letter was suppose to make Hester feel bad and regret what she done. But instead of that, she has helped and tried to do right.
54. Hester's appearance has changed because she has cut her hair and is starting to act like what a normal puritan woman would act like. She has thought about what is the right way to act and is changing for the good.
Chapter 14
56. Chillingworth tells Hester that Dimmesdale knows what his intents are towards him and knows that he is not doing any good being around him. He refuses to leave him alone because he is willing to seek revenge no matter what it takes. Dimmesdale has increased his debt by letting Chillingworth
be around him all the time.
Chapter 15
59. What Hester means by this is that she does not want to tell Pearl what the real meaning of the Scarlet letter is but if Pearl keeps asking, sooner or later she is going to have to reveal the truth to her. The narrator says that Pearl needs a grief to make her capable of sympathy.
Chapter 16
60. Hester does not visit Dimmesdale in his study because of the amount of air that would be in the room and she thinks they would need more when they talk. Hester's desired meeting place is in the woods and this shows that Hester wants them to meet in a place where nobody will see them and they will be alone with nobody around. Also, it shows that they don't want no more comments and that they still need to keep their relationship a secret due to the
reputation of Dimmesdale as a priest.
63. Pearl keeps asking what is the big significance of the Scarlet letter and why Dimmesdale always seems to cover his chest up. This shows that the relationship between Hester and Pearl has bad communication because Hester does not want to tell the answers to Pearl, maybe because she is too small to understand or just because she just does not want to.
Chapter 17
66. Hester tries to support Dimmesdale by saying that people look up to him and that he has done a good job as a pastor. But, Dimmesdale tells her that he has not done his job because of his sin and that he feels miserable. Dimmesdale thinks bad of himself because he knows that he is suppose to be a good person from the puritans view but knowing that he has committed a sin makes him feel bad.
67. Hester reveals the true identity of Chillingworth because of Dimmesdale. Dimmesdale feels stupid because he has been living with this man for a long time and he was not able to recognize who he was. His reaction was that he was surprised and told her that she would never forgive her. My reaction was also surprising because she had Chillingworth that she would never tell who he was and now, Dimmesdale knows.
68. They need each other because they are the only two that still support each other and are the ones that know the reasons of why they did
what they did.
Chapter 18
69. This is intended to describe Hester's character because she makes decisions that go against Puritan society. Running away, committing Adultery, and lying about certain character's identities.
70. After Hester removes the Scarlet Letter, the sun shines on her and leaves gloom. The significance of the statement was Pearl meant that having the Scarlet letter made the sunshine get away from her because of the significance of the letter. Afterwards, Hester removes the Scarlet letter and the sun shines on her like never before. With this, we know that the reason why Hester was not receiving any light in her life was because of what she had done
in her past.
Chapter 19
71. Pearl does not like the fact that her mother has removed the Scarlet letter and wants her to put it back. She has been used to seeing her mom with the scarlet letter and she feels like she will not be able to recognize her mother from the other women. Pearl rejects the kiss from Dimmesdale because she doesn't like him giving all the attention to his mom, and he doesn't hold their hand when they walk back to town.
Chapter 20
73. The first temptation was what the Deacon said. The Second was what the female member of the church said to him. The third was wanting to
have relations with the young woman. The last temptation he faces was to teach bad words to the children he sees. Dimmesdale knows that it is not his normal self and asks himself if he had make contact with the devil in the forest and is the reason of why he is having these temptations.
74. Mistress Hibbins asks Dimmesdale and Hester if they wanted to sign their name in the Devil's book. Hester would have signed the devil's book if they were to take Pearl from her but she didn't because Pearl was the reason she was still on earth and it was her job to take care of her.
Chapter 21
76. Everyone in the town is too busy putting their attention on the new Governor and all that Hester thinks about is how she is going to leave New England. In contrast, Pearl is in a good mood while her mother is depressed. This is the result of and underlying connection between mother and daugther because although Pearl is happy, she tries to support her mother and feels bad for her. This is important because the connection that they have, makes them feel a bit of what the other feels too.
78. Hester receives the news that Chillingworth will also be going on the boat with them. This suggests a tragedy because there is no point getting in the boat if the whole reason they were leaving was to get away from Chillingworth.
Chapter 22
80. Dimmesdale changes by acting normal again and not showing his suffering. This affects Hester because she feels as if she barely knows him and will never see the old Dimmesdale she knew. This foreshadows tragedy because Dimmesdale will never be like before and he knows that he's life is coming to an end and is trying to change.
Chapter 23
83. During his sermon, Hester feels the Scarlet letter to burn and us symbolic because it shows what the Scarlett letter has done to her and Chillingworth and making them both feel guilt and regret.
85. Roger Chillingworth feels a bit relieved and gets on his knees. Hester supports him because that is something she thought was the best that could happen. Pearl finally kisses him and has sympathy towards him. Most importantly, Dimmesdale feels relieved and finally a feeling of goodness because he has now finally told the truth and has nothing to hide.
86. Dimmesdale's last words was telling Hester to be quiet and let others say what they want. He tells her that their opinion does not matter because only God has that right to judge others and decide if they can be a family. There is significance because he now knows that nobody can decide whether he should live happily except for God.
Chapter 24
87. After Dimmesdale's death, there was a problem deciding whether there was something on Dimmesdale's chest or not. Some say that because of Chillingworth's potions, Dimmesdale had a Scarlet letter on his chest. Other say that there was nothing on his chest at the time of his death. A year after
his death, Chillingworth dies and leaves Pearl money. Hester and Pearl disappear but after many years, Hester comes back without Pearl. She decides to live in a cottage and does what she had done before she left Boston. Years later, Hester dies and is put beside Dimmesdale's grave and share the letter "A" on the headstone.