Reading Schedule with Writing Prompts
AP Language and Composition: No less than 100 words for each. That means AT LEAST 200 words. No copying. Use
evidence from the text – diction, figurative language, excerpts. Quotes are not a substitute for your own words and ideas,
which should make up the vast majority of your responses; however, they are essential to supporting your responses. Work
will be graded primarily on quality and depth of your responses.
1
Chapter
I. The Prison-Door
Journal/Writing Prompt 1
Describe the setting, the people surrounding
the prison, and any other notable imagery.
Given the setting, what do you think the
story will be about? What is the tone? Why
do you think that?
2
II. The Market-Place
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III. The Recognition
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IV. The Interview
In this chapter, we are first introduced to the
symbol “A” that is sewn onto Hester’s
clothing. What do you think this “A”
symbolizes? What is astonishing about the
“A” on her bodice?
Hawthorne keeps Chillingworth’s identity a
secret. How does this allow for key
background info to be revealed?
Why does Roger Chillingworth want to
know who the father is? Why does Mr.
Chillingworth want Hester to keep his
identity a secret?
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V. Hester at Her Needle
Why does Hester decide not to leave the
colony? Use both textual evidence, as well
as your own opinion to answer this
question. What would you do if you were
in Hester’s shoes?
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VI. Pearl
How does Hester “punish” her daughter?
Journal/Writing Prompt 2
Concentrate on the image of the rosebush.
What symbolic meanings are attributed to
roses? What significance do this rosebush and
its blossom seem to have at this point? How
might the rose take on further symbolic
meaning given what you know about the
book?
There are many different viewpoints of the
people (mostly women) in the crowd
watching her. Pick one or two to discuss.
Are the opinions presented fair and balanced?
Why or why not?
Describe Dimmesdale and his connection to
Hester Prynne. What does he ask her not to
reveal and why? Explain the irony in this.
What is the symbol that Hester attributes to
him in the last part of the chapter? Do you
think that this is relevant to his character? Is
this too harsh a symbol for him or not? Why
or why not?
There is a lot of description about clothing in
this chapter—Hester’s, Pearl’s and the people
she sews for. Write about the significance of
the different types of clothing and embroidery
in this chapter?
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What do you think Pearl symbolizes? What
does the scarlet letter mean to Pearl?
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VII. The Governor’s Hall Why does Hester go and visit Governor
Bellingham at his home?
VIII. The Elf-child and
How much time has passed since the
the Minister
beginning of the novel? How have the
characters changed since then?
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IX. The Leech
Who is “the leech” and why? Explain the
metaphor implied by that title.
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X. The Leech and His
Patient
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XI. The Interior of a
Heart
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XII. The Minister’s Vigil
What do you realize about the relationship
between Dimmesdale and Chillingworth?
Who, if anyone, does it benefit?
Whose heart does this chapter go into the
“interior” of? What do you think
Dimmesdale’s feelings are towards Hester
at this point and how do we know?
Why does the Dimmesdale go back to the
platform? What do you think has brought
him to this point?
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XIII. Another View of
Hester
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Hester reflects on the Dimmesdale’s
sorrows and guilt in this chapter. Do you
think that he has been aptly punished?
Whose punishment is worse—Hester’s or
Dimmesdale’s?
What is the relationship between the scarlet
letter and Pearl?
In this chapter, Dimmesdale speaks on
Hester’s behalf and, ultimately, saves her
from more punishment for her “sins.” What
kind of “power” do you think Dimmesdale
possesses? Where does this “power” come
from?
How do American Indians play a role in the
character of Roger Chillingworth? What is
the significance of their inclusion in the
novel?
Why do you think Dimmesdale has bad
health? What is keeping him alive? What is
killing him?
This chapter discusses Dimmesdale’s newfound disdain for Chillingworth. Why do you
think Dimmesdale continues to live and be
friends with him?
What does the minister see in the sky that
night? Looking back at the description of
what he saw, is it clear that what he saw was
real?
Hester’s “A” begins to mean other things than
just “Adultery.” What do you think some of
the other things are?
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XIV. Hester and the
Physician
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XV. Hester and Pearl
Chillingworth is often compared to dark
forces and the “Black Man” in the novel.
Do you think that this is a fair depiction of
him? Why or why not?
Especially in this chapter, Pearl seems to
know more than what she has been told.
What do you think she knows and why do
Why do Hester and Chillingworth pity one
another?
This quote is from Chapter 15:
“One little gray bird, with a white breast,
Pearl was almost sure, had been hit by a
Due
you think she may know it?
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XVI. A Forest Walk
Why does this scene take place in a forest?
Do you think that this scene could have
taken place in town? Why or why not?
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XVII. The Pastor and
His Parishioner
What are the major differences that Hester
and Dimmesdale have about the “sin” they
have committed? How have both of the
characters dealt with it?
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XVIII. A Flood of
Sunshine
What is the significance of Hester taking off
her symbol for the first time? What does
this do to her character, Pearl and
Dimmesdale?
pebble and fluttered away with a broken
wing. But then the elf-child sighed, and gave
up her sport; because it grieved her to have
done harm to a little being that was as wild as
the sea-breeze, or as wild as Pearl herself.”
How are the bird and its fate significant to the
novel?
Describe the scene with Hester and Pearl in
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the sunlight. What symbolic meaning could
the sunlight have? Why does sunlight shine
on Pearl and not on Hester?
Hester had the realization early on that she
Due
could not leave the colony. Why can't
Dimmesdale start a new life alone as well?
Do they have different reasons for this
choice? Explain.
How have Hester and Dimmesdale changed in Due
this chapter since the beginning of the novel?
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XIX. The Child at the
Brook-Side
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XX. The Minister in a
Maze
What are the reactions that Dimmesdale has
when he meets Pearl for the first time?
How would you react to meeting a new
member of your family for the first time?
Write about the differences and similarities
you would have with Dimmesdale’s
reactions.
Why do you think this chapter is called
“The Minister in a Maze”? What is the
“maze”?
Why do you think Pearl is so apprehensive
and hesitant about meeting the minister?
The witch, Mistress Hibbins, has a small but
vital role throughout the novel. In this
chapter, she speaks with Dimmesdale about
the forest. Why is this scene significant?
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XXI. The New England
Holiday
What is going on in the town and how does
this affect Pearl and Hester?
Due
What is the tone and mood of this chapter?
How is it different from the rest of the
novel?
What IS the revelation of The Scarlet
Letter? How do you interpret it? How has
it changed throughout the course of the
novel?
How has Dimmesdale changed since the
meeting in the forest? How do we know
about these changes?
Hester begins to feel uneasy and unsettled
about the minister in this chapter. Explain
why you think this is.
How do the four stand on the scaffold this last
time? How is Pearl changed? How do the
townspeople interpret this final revelation?
What happens to Chillingworth?
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XXII. The Procession
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XXIII. The Revelation of
The Scarlet Letter
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XXIV. Conclusion
Why does Hester return? What is the "new
truth" she represents?
Does the ending resolve any questions we
have about the novel? Why or why not?
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