Chapter 17
1.
Near the beginning of the chapter, Hester waits for Arthur Dimmesdale along a path in the forest. She calls to him, and then he says, “Hester! Hester Prynne! Is it thou? Art thou in life?” She responds, “Even so! In such life as has been mine these seven years past! And thou, Arthur Dimmesdale, dost thou yet live?” There is so much going on here in these few sentences – what are some of the connotations of what they are saying to each other here?
2.
When Hester tells Dimmesdale that Chillingworth is her husband, Dimmesdale tells her that she is accountable for the lie and that he cannot forgive her. Wow! Why would he feel justified in telling her this? What is her reaction to this?
3.
Near the end of the chapter, Dimmesdale says, “thou tellest of running a race to a man whose knees are tottering beneath him! I must die here!” What is he talking about and why might this be his outlook?
Chapter 18
4.
Look at the passage that follows Hester’s removal of the scarlet letter. The paragraph begins. “The stigma gone…” That’s quite a transformation! Specifically, how does Hester change (her appearance, her outlook, her appeal) in the next couple of paragraphs? Do you think this is all real?
Chapter 19
5.
While Hester and Dimmesdale talk, what is Pearl doing? Be specific – look at the imagery. What might the author be trying to tell us about Pearl?

6.
When Hester calls Pearl to return, Pearl is afraid (for two reasons, really). Why does Pearl hang back?
What does Dimmesdale ask Hester to do? Do you think Dimmesdale is as selfish as I think he is? Or is this a legitimate request?
7.
Near the end of the chapter, Pearl asks her mother 3 questions: “Doth he love us?” “Will he go back with us, hand in hand, we three together, into the town?” “And will he always keep his hand over his heart?”
That pretty much sums up the entire story. Since neither Hester nor Dimmesdale can really answer these questions fully, what does this foreshadow about their future as a family? Notice the detail about
Dimmesdale’s kiss-
Chapter 20
8.
What is the plan? Where are Hester, Dimmesdale, and Pearl going? How are they going to get there?
Why are they waiting 3 days? Doesn’t this seem like a very bad idea?
9.
Dimmesdale is feeling better physically, but mentally, he is still a mess. He begins having hallucinations and imagines that he is saying and doing crazy things. What does he hallucinate with the following: a.
The deacon b.
The old woman c.
The young women d.
The children
10.
His last conversation is with Mistress Hibbins – she’s really there. What do they talk about?

11.
When Dimmesdale arrives home, he finally talks with Chillingworth. Chillingworth has no idea Hester has told Dimmesdale who he really is, but Dimmesdale gives himself away. What does he say/do to give himself away?
Chapter 21
12.
“I must bid the steward make ready one more berth than you bargained for! No fear of scurvy or shipfever this voyage.” What does this mean? How does this change everything? This is not going to end well…
Chapter 22
13.
Chapter 22 is such a tense chapter – something big is right around the corner! How is Dimmesdale acting/looking? What is Hester doing and thinking? And what about Pearl? She’s picked a great time to act like an out of control 7 year old!
Chapter 23
14.
The sermon is over. And Dimmesdale is drained – he’s a shell of a man. He says, “Hester, come hither!
Come, my little Pearl!” What does Pearl do? Why? And Hester – how does she feel about this?
15.
Explain the relevance of the following quote:
“For thee and Pearl, be it as God shall order, and God is merciful! Let me now do the will which He hath made plain before my sight.” What is Dimmesdale saying? What are the implications for Hester and
Pearl? Is this bold, or is this cowardly?
16.
“Thou hast escaped me!” Who says this? What are the full implications of this?

17.
After the entire book, after all that Hester has borne on her shoulders, after all the shame and the ridicule, what are Dimmesdales’ final words to her? What’s your impression of this?
Chapter 24
18.
People in the town interpret what Dimmesdale did and said very differently. What do you think happened?
What is on his chest? Why did he die?
19.
Hawthorne says the moral of the story boils down to this: “Be true! Be true! Be true! Show freely to the world, if not your worst, yet some trait whereby the worst may be inferred!” What do you interpret this to mean?
20.
What happens to everyone? a.
Dimmesdale (his grave) b.
Chillingworth c.
Pearl d.
Hester