The Scarlet Letter Assignment
• This novel uses archaic language, but once you get
used to the language you will see the beauty of the
story and the language. Have a dictionary
handy. You may skip the introduction “The
Custom House.” Annotate your text as you
read.
• You must keep a journal in a spiral notebook.
Your journal will be graded for grammar
and content. I expect you to use proper grammar
and mechanics for all assignments to be turned in to
me. This is a test grade. Journal entries and
annotations are individual assignments. Identical
work will receive zeros. If I find that you have
plagiarized your work or had someone else
complete your work, you will receive a zero. If you
use outside help (cliff notes, spark notes, etc) for
analyzing, you must document your sources.
Write an expository paragraph, one for each question in the
entries. Each answer needs to have a thesis
statement and evidence from the text to back up the
thesis.
Journal Entry 1: Chapters 1-2
What is the narrator’s attitude toward the Puritans? What is
his attitude toward Hester?
Journal Entry 2: Chapters 3-4
Mark all descriptions of Roger Chillingworth. Write a
paragraph to answer this question: How does the narrator
present Chillingworth to the reader?
Journal Entry 3: Chapters 5-6
What is the effect of the scarlet letter upon Hester? What is
Pearl’s character, and why? (A paragraph for each question)
Journal Entry 4: Chapters 7-8
Explain Hester’s argument concerning her rights to Pearl.
Journal Entry 5: Chapters 9-12
What is Chillingworth’s project? What is Dimmesdale’s
inner struggle, and how does it affect him?
Journal Entry 6: Chapters 13-15
In what different ways can the scarlet letter be interpreted?
What do these different ways reveal about Hester’s view of
herself and her role in Puritan society?
Journal Entry 7: Chapters 16-19
Explain the kind of love Hester and Dimmesdale have for
each other. What prevents them from acting upon this love?
Journal Entry 8: Chapters 10-22
Why does Dimmesdale finally announce his guilt? How does
he do so-what type of language does he use, who does he
address, and why?
Journal Entry 9: Chapters 23-24
What is Hester’s role in society? What is her view of the role?
Adapted from the source: www.gchs.ccs.k12.nc.us
and from Tim Strzechowski Argo Community High School
The Crucible Assignment
As you read the play, respond to the following topics in your
journal notebook. Be prepared to read and discuss your
journal entry response in class. Annotate your text as
you read.
• Based on what happens throughout Act I, write a
brief character description of Abigail Williams.
What positive qualities does she seem to possess?
What negative qualities does she possess?
• What types of persuasive techniques does Abigail
use to win Proctor's affection in Act I? What
arguments does she present, and what emotional
tactics does she employ? Does she build a
persuasive argument, or do you find problems with
it? Explain.
• At the end of Act I, Tituba, Abigail, and others
accuse some of their neighbors of afflicting them.
Give examples of individuals or groups today who
accuse others of causing their problems. How
would you evaluate their accusations?
• Puritan society pressured individuals to adhere to
strict standards of conduct and belief. To what
extent do you think society expects you to conform
today? Is conformity always a bad thing? Always a
good thing? Explain.
• Almost a century after the witch trials, delegates to
the Constitutional Convention decided to make a
clear separation between church and state. How
might the court proceedings in Act III have differed
if that separation had been in place in 1692?
• Explain how the storyline might be different if there
were no Governor Danforth. How does his
presence in the play affect the storyline? If he were
removed, how might that affect the play overall?
• Mary Warren is subjected to intense peer pressure
from Abigail Williams and the other girls. How
would you compare the intensity of the peer
pressure she faces with that extended on young
people today?
• In Act IV, how does Elizabeth take part of the
blame for her husband's lechery? Is she justified?
What does John's response to Elizabeth tell you
about his character development?
• Think of a 20th-century person who suffered or
died for his/her beliefs, and compare this person to
John Proctor.
• The Crucible was first produced in 1953, during
Senator Joseph McCarthy's congressional
investigation to root out suspected Communists in
the State Department, the entertainment industry,
and the U.S. Army. In his pursuit of Communists,
McCarthy sometimes accused individuals on the
basis of flimsy evidence and innuendo (you will
want to research McCarthy at this point to gain a
better understanding of the congressional
investigation and its impact). In what ways do you
think The Crucible is a criticism of McCarthy and
his ways? Given current events, what can this play
teach us about identifying and prosecuting
individuals suspected of terrorist activities or being
illegal aliens? Support your opinion with details
from the play.