English 11 Academic
Scarlet Letter Study Questions - Chapters 6-8
CHAPTER 6
1. In this chapter, the author is mostly interested in telling about
(a) Hester’s social life
(b) Pearl’s nature
(c) childhood in old Boston
(d) Puritan family life
2. Hester called her child Pearl because
(a) that was her mother’s name
(b) of the child’s pale complexion
(c) the child was her only treasure
(d) Chillingworth liked the name
3. In Puritan days, family discipline was
(a) lax
(b) rigid
(c) permissive
(d) largely ignored
4. Pearl’s nature is
(a) placid
(b) timid
(c) wild
(d) gentle
5. Pearl’s unusual playmates are
(a) neighborhood children
(b) poor children
(c) imaginary creatures
(d) old people
6. From infancy, Pearl has been fascinated by
(a) the sea
(b) the forest
(c) the Indians
(d) the scarlet letter
Thinking it over
Much as she loves her daughter, Hester is deeply concerned about Pearl’s wildness. Why is she more worried than
most mothers would be about such a child? Explain.
CHAPTER 7
1. One reason for Hester’s visiting the Governor’s mansion is to
CHAPTER 7 (cont’d)
(a) seek pardon
(b) deliver a pair of gloves
(c) seek advice about raising Pearl
(d) request more work to do
2. Some important people of Boston wish to
(a) take Pearl away from Hester
(b) drive Hester and Pearl out of town
(c) find a husband for Hester
(d) put Pearl in school
3. The red tunic that Hester made for Pearl resembles
(a) a clown’s costume
(b) the scarlet letter
(c) a rainbow
(d) a sunset
4. The armor hanging in the Governor’s hall
(a) is strictly for decoration
(b) belonged to an ancestor of the Governor’s
(c) has actually been worn by the Governor
(d) dates back to Roman times
5. The scarlet letters looks huge reflected in the armor because
(a) the armor is so highly polished
(b) the curved surface distorts the image
(c) Pearl is so small
(d) the scarlet letter has grown bigger
Thinking it over
What does the appearance of Governor Bellingham’s house tell you about him as a person? Is it the kind of house
you would expect an important Puritan to live in? Explain.
CHAPTER 8
1. The chapter is mostly about how
(a) Chillingworth has changed
(b) Hester is able to keep Pearl
(c) Hester is tempted by a witch
(d) Pearl’s piety impresses the Governor
2. At this point, Pearl’s age is about
(a) three
(b) ten
(c) six months
(d) seven
3. When Master Wilson examines Pearl in religion, she
(a) impresses him with her knowledge
(b) intentionally gives unsatisfactory answers
(c) refuses to say a word
(d) pretends she is a Quaker
4. The person to whom Hester appeals for help is
(a) Master Wilson
(b) Governor Bellingham
(c) Arthur Dimmesdale
(d) Roger Chillingworth
CHAPTER 8 (cont’d)
5. The Black Man that Mistress Hibbins wants Hester to meet is really
(a) Chillingworth
(b) Pearl’s father
(c) an Indian Chief
(d) the Devil
6. When Master Wilson says it would be sinful to pry further into the
mystery of who Pearl’s father is, Chilling worth is probably
(a) convinced
(b) doubtful
(c) wholly unconvinced
(d) impressed
Thinking it over
Hester tells Mistress Hibbins she would willingly go to meet the Black Man if the Governor had taken Pearl away
from her. What does Hester mean by this? Do you think she means it seriously? Explain.