Ms. Hamden
The Scarlet Letter
NAME:
Chapter 7
1. For what two reasons do Hester and Pearl travel to Governor Bellingham’s mansion?
2. What are the magistrates’ reasons for considering taking Pearl from Hester? Should this be a government
issue?
3. Describe Bellingham’s mansion and its décor. What is significant about this? Why does Hawthorne describe
such a lavish mansion for a Puritan governor—what might he be saying about the values of the Puritans?
4. When the doorman/bond-servant first sees Hester, what is his impression?
5. How does Pearl identify her mother at the end of this chapter? How might this be symbolic?
Chapter 8
1. Who is at the mansion when they arrive?
2. What do Gov. Bellingham and Rev. Wilson say to Pearl? How do they address Hester? How does their
mood change?
3. What does Pearl do that makes the magistrates unsure of her upbringing?
4. What reason does Hester give for keeping Pearl?
5. To whom does Hester implore: “Speak for me!” and what does he say? What is the ultimate decision?
6. Who does Pearl show compassion toward? Why is this?
7. Who is Mistress Hibbins? Describe the conversation she has with Hester at the end of the chapter.
Chapter 9
1. How is the chapter title fitting for Chillingworth?
2. What are Chillingworth’s medical skills?
3. What is Dimmesdale’s current condition? How does this correlate to Chillingworth?
4. Why does Dimmesdale think that he needs no medicine? What is wrong with him?
5. What gesture does Dimmesdale do repeatedly? Is there importance in this?
6. How does Chillingworth try to “help” Dimmesdale?
7. Explain how religion and science are inherently different. How are these men symbols of these two studies?
8. What images does Dimmesdale place in his study? How are they symbolic?
9. There is a potion of the population who doubts Chillingworth. Why? How has his appearance changed?
Chapter 10
1. What feelings does Dimmesdale ignore about Chillingworth? What does this say about intuition?
2. Where did Chillingworth find the weeds he is studying? From where does he claim they grew?
3. What are Dimmesdale’s reasons for why this man died with a secret sin?
4. Does Chillingworth buy this argument? What does he want from Dimmesdale here?
5. How do Hester, Pearl, Dimmesdale, and Chillingworth interact together? How do Pearl’s actions connect
them all?
6. What makes Dimmesdale rush out of the room? Can a “sickness” in your mind manifest itself in your body?
7. What is the final scene of the chapter? Why is this significant?
Chapter 11
1. How did the relationship between Dimmesdale and Chillingworth change after Chapter 10?
2. Is it confirmed to Chillingworth that Dimmesdale is the father? How?
3. Has Chillingworth yet exposed him? Why or why not?
4. What does Dimmesdale long to say to the parish?
5. What does he actually say to them? What do the townsfolk think of him and his sermons?
6. In what ways does he punish himself and why? Do you think this makes up for the fact that Hester wears the
letter and he “wears” nothing?
Chapter 12
1. In this chapter, where does Dimmesdale go and why? Is this a “mockery of penitence”? Explain.
2. Why does he want to shriek? Does he?
3. Who passes by and what delusion does Dimmesdale experience?
4. Who has died in this chapter? Why are Hester and Pearl out at such a late hour?
5. When Dimmesdale calls them to the scaffold and they hold hands, what does Pearl ask Dimmesdale? How
does he respond? Does she know who he really is?
6. Who does Pearl point to?
7. As this “electric chain” occurs, what is seen overhead? What is the meaning of this?
8. What kind of look is on Chillingworth’s face? What does Dimmesdale ask Hester at this point? What is her
answer?
9. How does Pearl punish Dimmesdale even more?
10. What happens between Dimmesdale and the sexton the next day? Describe the symbolism behind the
conversation.