1.
What was the “sufficiently plain path” before the intellect of Chillingworth? Be specific in detail.
2.
Hawthorne uses several examples of alliteration in the beginning of the chapter. Identify one. What could be the purpose?
3.
What is ironic about Dimmesdale’s distrust of Chillingworth?
4.
During the period of the trouble of the soul, what was going right in Dimmesdale’s life?
5.
Give examples from the text to support.
6.
What does the community feel about Dimmesdale? Identify the irony here and label the type of irony used.
7.
How had Dimmesdale spoken his truth from the pulpit?
8.
What was the irony here? Identify the irony here (2 examples) and label the types.
9.
In what ways did Dimmesdale inflict punishment upon himself? (3)
10.
Describe the visions that Dimmesdale encounters.
11.
Explain the actions of the minister at the end of the chapter.
12.
Predict what you believe will happen in Chapter 12.
13.
Where did Dimmesdale go?
14.
What is the personification used here? Why does Hawthorne use personification?
15.
Dimmesdale believes the “universe were gazing at a scarlet token on his naked breast, right over his heart.” What connection from your earlier reading can you make here?
16.
What did not happen that Dimmesdale wanted to happen?
17.
What is the significance of this?
18.
Contrast the imagery used to describe Reverend Mr. Wilson with the imagery used to describe
Dimmesdale in their near encounter.
19.
What strange request does Dimmesdale make of Hester and Pearl?
20.
What request does Pearl make of Dimmesdale?
21.
What is his reply?
22.
What does the meteor symbolize to Dimmesdale?
23.
Interpret “the meteor showed the familiar scene of the street, with the distinctness of midday but also with the awfulness that is always imparted to familiar objects by an unaccustomed light” What is
Hawthorne trying to say here?
24.
What was the singular circumstance that characterized Dimmesdale’s psychological state?
25.
Dimmesdale says to Hester, “I tell thee, my soul shivers at him. . . Canst thou do nothing for me? What does this say about his character?
26.
What does Pearl accuse the minister?
27.
What evidence has he left behind?
28.
How does the sexton explain the meteor?
29.
What is Dimmesdale’s response? What literary device is used here?
Identify examples of poetic devices in this chapter.