These reading questions are meant only as a guide to the novel.
The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorn study questions
Use these questions to guide your reading and understanding of the novel.
Preview the questions before you begin to read each section of the novel.
Answer each question in complete sentences, citing textual evidence when necessary.
The answers to these questions are due the first day back from summer vacation.
***You do not need to read the section titled “The Custom House”**
Chapter 1
1.
How does the opening scene outside the prison prepare you for a “tale of human frailty and sorrow”?
2.
According to Hawthorne, what is the purpose of the rosebush?
3.
What does the rosebush symbolize?
Chapter 2
4.
How are the women portrayed?
5.
In what ways was Hester’s attitude and appearance different from the other women?
6.
What are the purposes of Hester’s reminiscences or flashback?
7.
How is the scarlet letter created?
Chapter 3
8.
What do you learn about Rev. Dimmesdale from Rev. Wilson’s remarks?
9.
What do you learn about Rev. Dimmesdale from Hawthorne’s description?
10.
What do you learn about Rev. Dimmesdale from Dimmesdale’s appeal to Hester?
11.
What do you learn about Rev. Dimmesdale from Dimmesdale’s reaction to
Hester’s refusal?
Chapter 4
12.
Why was Chillingworth allowed to see Hester?
13.
What is Chillingworth’s attitude toward Hester?
14.
What request does Chillingworth make of Hester?
Chapter 5
15.
Give two reasons why Hester remains in the village to endure the scorn of the townspeople.
16.
How does Hester use her needlework?
Chapter 6
17.
What qualities of character set Pearl apart from the village children?
18.
What qualities of appearance set Pearl apart from the village children?
19.
What effect did the scarlet letter have on the relationship between Pearl and
Hester?
20.
How is Pearl a symbol of her mother’s warring spirit?

Chapter 7
21.
Why did Hester see an interview with Governor Bellingham?
22.
How is Pearl the scarlet letter personified?
23.
The letter and Pearl are reflected in the breastplate in the governor’s hall. How does this reflection affect Hester?
Chapter 8
24. When Governor Bellingham recommends taking Pearl from Hester, what argument does she use for continuing to have Pearl in her care?
25. What part did Chillingworth play in this scene?
26.
What part did Dimmesdale play in this scene?
Chapter 9
27.
Why did the townspeople see a “providential hand” in Chillingworth’s arrival?
28.
Why did the townspeople conclude that Chillingworth was a “diabolical agent”?
Chapter 10
29.
What “terrible fascination” seized Chillingworth?
30.
What does Dimmesdale say about confessing “miserable secrets”?
31.
For what reasons, according to Dimmesdale, should a person conceal a secret?
32.
What happened while Dimmesdale was sleeping?
Chapter 11
33.
What effect does Chillingworth have on Dimmesdale?
34.
When Dimmesdale actually does admit his sinfulness to his congregation, how do his hearers react?
35.
What three acts of penance does Dimmesdale do?
Chapter 12
36.
As Dimmesdale stands on the scaffold, what does he imagine?
37.
Why had Dimmesdale placed himself on the scaffold?
38.
Why did Dimmesdale want Hester and Pearl to join him on the scaffold?
39.
Why did Dimmesdale beg to know Chillingworth’s identity?
40.
What interpretation did the sexton give of the glove on the scaffold?
41.
What are the three possible explanations for the light in the sky?
Chapter 13
42.
How has Hester’s life changed in the seven years since her release from prison?
43.
What had the scarlet letter come to symbolize?
Chapter 14
44.
What prompted Hester to plead with her revengeful husband?
45.
What does Chillingworth mean when he says that the minister has increased his debt rather than paid it off?

Chapter 15
46.
For what reasons did Hester ask Pearl several times if she knew the meaning of the scarlet letter?
Chapter 16
47.
What is the symbolic significance of the footpath?
48.
What is the symbolic significance of the Black Man?
49.
Pearl perceptively questions Dimmesdale’s appearance. What does she ask?
Chapter 17
50.
Why was Chillingworth’s sin blacker than Hester and Dimmesdale’s sin?
51.
Why did Dimmesdale consider Hester’s plan impossible?
Chapter 18
52.
What is the symbolic significance of the brook?
53.
What is the significance of this chapter title, “A Flood of Sunshine”?
Chapter 19
54.
Why does Pearl behave as she does to Hester?
55.
How does this behavior affect Hester? Dimmesdale?
Chapter 20
56.
What is the reason for the change that came over Dimmesdale as he entered town?
57.
Why is Dimmesdale’s encounter with Mistress Hibbins important?
Chapter 21
58.
What thoughts and feeling did Hester keep hidden as she and pearl approached the market place?
59.
What holiday is being celebrated?
60.
What did Hester learn from the Bristol shipmaster?
61.
Pearl makes a statement about Dimmesdale which touches on the irony in his relationship with them. What does Pearl say?
Chapter 22
62.
How did Hester and Pearl react to the minister’s behavior as he marched to the church?
63.
What does Hester notice about the townspeople in the market place?
Chapter 23
64.
Why does Chillingworth try to stop Dimmesdale’s confession?
65.
When Dimmesdale cried, “Behold, a dreadful witness of it,” what was revealed?
66.
What spell was broken when Pearl kissed Dimmesdale?
Chapter 24
67.
What happened to Pearl as an adult?

68.
How did Hester spend the later years of her life?
69.
What moral did Hawthorne draw from Dimmesdale’ experience?
70.
What is the inscription on the tombstone? What does it mean?