The Scarlet Letter, by Nathaniel Hawthorne: Guiding Vocabulary and Questions
Chapter 2 Vocabulary
 PHYSIOGNOMIES: the facial features held to show qualities of mind or character by
their configuration or expression
 AUGURED: foretold.
 ANTINOMIAN: one who rejects a socially established morality.
 HETERODOX: holding unorthodox opinions or doctrines.
 SCOURGED: to subject to severe criticism or satire.
 VENERABLE: made sacred especially by religious or historical association.
 MEAGRE: lacking desirable qualities; meager.
 INFAMY: evil reputation brought about by something grossly criminal, shocking, or
brutal.
 BEHOOF: advantage, profit.
 BAGGAGE: a worthless or contemptible woman; prostitute.
Chapter 2 Questions
 Name 3 crimes and the punishments that the Puritans might witness.
 What is the relationship between religion and law in Puritan New England?
 Describe the Puritan women. Use one quote from the book to support your answer.
 What punishments would the Puritan women have given Hester Prynne if it were
left to them?
 Describe the appearance of Hester Prynne.
 What is Hester’s sin? Punishment?
 What is astonishing about the “A” on her bodice?
 Why is Hester taken to the scaffold in the market-place?
 What things does Hester think about while she is on the scaffold?
 How old is her baby?
 What detail is given to suggest the baby was born in jail?
Chapter 3 Vocabulary
 FURROWS: wrinkles.
 HETEROGENEOUS: different in kind.
 ABATE: put an end to.
 WRITHING: (to twist in pain; to suffer keenly.
 SOJOURN: a temporary stay.
 INIQUITY: wickedness.
 EXPOUND: to explain in careful and elaborate detail.
 SAGACITY: of keen mind: shrewd.
 OBSTINACY: fixed and unyielding; stubborn.
 FERVOR: intensity
Chapter 3 Questions
 Describe the man who is standing on the outskirts of the crowd.
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What prior reference was made in Chapter 2 that reminds the reader of this man?
What gesture does he make to Hester that suggests he knows her?
What does the stranger learn from the townsman next to him?
Who is the father of Hester’s baby?
What is the usual punishment for adultery? Why is Hester’s punishment less
severe?
What are Hester’s feelings toward the stranger?
Who is Bellingham ? John Wilson?
What do Bellingham and Wilson want Hester to do?
Describe Dimmesdale.
What is his relationship to Hester? What does he ask her to reveal?
Why won’t Hester name the child’s father?
Chapter 4 Vocabulary
 AMENABLE: willing to yield or submit: agreeable.
 PEREMPTORY: leaving no opportunity for denial or refusal.
 ALCHEMY: a power or process of transforming something common into something
precious.
 AVENGE: to exact satisfaction for a wrong by punishing the wrongdoer.
 INQUEST: inquiry, investigation.
 AUGHT: nothing.
 PARAMOUR: an illicit lover.
Chapter 4 Questions
 How does Hester act when she returns to prison?
 Why does the jailer call a doctor?
 What is the doctor’s name?
 Where did the “doctor” learn his skill?
 Quote 2 lines that indicate the doctor and Hester know each other before this
meeting.
 What is the relationship between Chillingworth and Hester?
 Why should Hester’s marriage be a failure?
 Did Hester ever love her husband? Quote Hester to support your answer.
 What does Chillingworth vow to do?
 What secret does Chillingworth ask Hester to keep?
 What symbol is introduced for Chillingworth in Hester’s final lines in this chapter?
Chapter 5 Vocabulary
 VIVIFY: to endure with life or renew life: animate.
 TINGE: an affective or modifying property or influence: touch.
 UNCONGENIAL: unfriendly.
 THATCHED: a house used as a sheltering cover made of a plant material.
 PROGENITORS: an ancestor in the direct line: forefather.
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PLEBEIAN: one of the common people.
EMOLUMENT: advantage.
COMMISERATION to feel or express sympathy: console.
CONTUMACIOUSLY: stubbornly disobedient: rebellious.
TALISMAN: something producing magical effects: lucky charm
Chapter 5 Questions
 What “general symbol” has Hester become?
 Give at least 2 reasons why Hester does not leave the colony.
 Describe Hester’s home.
 What talent did Hester use to support herself and Pearl ?
 What garments is Hester not allowed to sew?
 What type of dress did Hester wear? Pearl ?
 What does Hester do that shows she has a charitable nature?
 How did the poor, the ladies of Boston , the clergy, and the children treat Hester?
 What special knowledge does Hester feel the Scarlet Letter gives her?
Chapter 6 Vocabulary
 IMBUED: inspired as with feelings, opinions, etc.
 EPOCH: a point in time marked by the beginning of anew development or state of
things.
 REGIMEN: to organize.
 CAPRICE; a sudden, impulsive change: whim.
 SMOTE: having stricken something.
 DEARTH: scarcity, lack, or famine.
 GESTICULATION: expression through gestures.
 LABYRINTH: any intricate or perplexing set of difficulties: maze.
 AMENABLE: agreeable.
 ENMITY: established hatred.
Chapter 6 Questions
 Why did Hester name her child “ Pearl ”?
 Describe Pearl’s appearance.
 What does the Scarlet Letter mean to Pearl?
 What did the townspeople say about Pearl? How does Hester feel about Pearl?
 To what three things is Pearl compared?
 How does Pearl amuse herself?
Chapter 7 Vocabulary
 Ludicrous-absurd
 Eminence-importance
 Intrinsic-basic
 Imperious-authoritative
 Wan-weak
 Similitude-likeness
 Dauntless-determined
Chapter 7 Questions
 For what reasons does Hester visit Governor Bellingham?
 How does Pearl’s appearance suggest “…the scarlet letter in another form”?
 What do the village children say when they see Hester and Pearl? What is the result?
 Describe the governor’s house and garden, and the irony of its appearance.
Chapter 8 Vocabulary
 Apparition-odd appearance
 Temporal-worldly
 Requital-repayment
 Mountebank-deceiver
 Boon-blessing
 Tremulous-shaky
 Vehemence-intensity
 Tarry-stay
 Sundering-separate
Chapter 8 Questions
 Describe the relationship between Chillingworth and Dimmesdale.
 How does Dimmesdale seem to have changed?
 What sort of comments to the men make about Pearl?
 What does Bellingham tell Hester? What is her response?
 How does Pearl respond to each man?
 What does Hester ask of Dimmesdale? What is his argument?
 Summarize the exchange between Mistress Hibbins and Hester. How is this scene
ironic?
Chapter 9 Vocabulary
 APPELLATION: name or title.
 PROPOUND: to suggest
 DELVE: to dig for information.
 TUMULT: uproar and confusion.
 ERUDITION: extensive knowledge
 COMMODIOUSNESS: comfortable.
 GUISE: manner or fashion.
 SANCTITY: Godliness or sacredness.
 EMISSARY: messenger.
 DIABOLIC: devilish.
Chapter 9 Questions:
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What new identity has Chillingworth assumed in Boston ? Why is he successful?
To whom in the colony does Chillingworth attach himself as a medical advisor?
Describe Dimmesdale’s health.
What gesture has become Dimmesdale’s habit?
Quote a sentence from this chapter that associates Chillingworth with evil.
What two opposing views do the townspeople hold about Roger Chillingworth?
CHAPTER 10 Vocabulary
 SEXTON: an official who maintains church property.
 DEEM: judge.
 ASPIRATION: strong desire
 GHASTLY: horrible
 STEALTHILY: slow and secret.
 INIMICAL: hostile.
 ASKANCE: with a side-glance.
Chapter 10 Questions:
What “investigation” consumes Chillingworth?
Who is Chillingworth’s main suspect and victim?
What secret does Chillingworth believe is buried in Dimmesdale’s heart?
Why would Dimmesdale live with guilt and not confess his sin openly?
What reaction does Pearl have to Chillingworth when she sees him with Rev. Dimmesdale?
What discovery does Chillingworth make when Dimmesdale “fell into a deep, deep
slumber”?
CHAPTER 11 Vocabulary
MALICE: desire to see another suffer.
LATENT: dormant.
BALKED: refuse to proceed.
ODIOUS: disgusting.
MACHINATION: an evil scheme.
LORE: traditional knowledge or belief.
ETHEREALIZED: celestially.
ATTESTATION: proof.
AVOWAL: an open declaration or acknowledgment.
IMPALPABLE incapable of being felt by touch.
Chapter 11 Questions
What effect does Reverend Dimmesdale’s guilt have upon his popularity in the colony?
What practices does Dimmesdale begin as a result of his guilt?
Chapter 12 Vocabulary
SOMNAMBULISM: sleepwalking.
DANK: cold and damp.
EXPIATION: to atone for.
DEFUNCT: dead or inactive.
SCANTLY: scarcely enough.
ARCHFIEND: Satan.
SCURRILOUS: offensively abusive.
GRISLY: inspiring horror or intense fear.
AWRY: out of hoped-for cause.
FIRMAMENT: the heavens.
MALEVOLENCE: intense hatred
REPLETE: complete.
Chapter 12 Questions
What is a vigil? And where does Dimmesdale hold his?
Why are Hester and Pearl out at midnight ?
What promise does Dimmesdale refuse to make to Pearl ?
What is miraculous about the meteor?
Quote a line that shows Chillingworth as a symbol of evil.
Chapter 13 Vocabulary
PAUPER: a very poor person.
GIBE: to taunt.
DESPOTS: tyrants
FOLIAGE: a cluster of leaves, flowers, and branches.
SEMBLANCE: appearance.
IMBIBED: remembered
ETHEREAL: celestial, heavenly.
CHASM: a separation,
LUNACY: wild foolishness; insanity.
ACQUIESCING: passively
Chapter 13 Questions
How old is Pearl in this chapter?
How has the townspeople’s view changed toward Hester?
How has Hester’s appearance changed?
How has Hester’s attitude changed?
What does Hester resolve to do?
Chapter 14 Vocabulary
WIRY: lean and strong.
BEHEST: an earnest request.
RANKLE: to cause persistent or bitter resentment.
PROPINQUITY: nearness in place or time.
USURP: to seize and hold by force or
RETRIBUTION: punishment given in return for some wrong committed; judgment.
Chapter 14 Questions
How has Roger Chillingworth changed in the past 7 years?
Quote at least one line that directly associates Chillingworth with the devil. Cite the page.
What does Hester want Chillingworth to do?
What revelation is she going to make to Reverend Dimmesdale?
What effect has Chillingworth had on Dimmesdale? Quote a line to support your answer.
Chapter 15 Vocabulary
SERE: withered.
VERDURE: health and vigor.
SEDULOUS: diligent
PETULANT: insolent or rude
PRECOCITY: exhibiting mature qualities at an unusually early age.
ACRID: deeply or violently bitter.
ENIGMA: mystery.
PROPENSITY: an intense and often urgent natural inclination.
VIVACITY: being lively in temper or conduct: sprightly.
ASPERITY: roughness of manner or of temper: harshness.
UPBRAIDED: criticized.
Chapter 15 Questions
Read Hester’s description of Chillingworth carefully. How does she feel about him?
What questions does Pearl ask her mother? Why does this trouble Hester?
Chapter 16 Vocabulary
Scintillating: Dazzling
Eddies: Water circles
Loquacity: Wordy, Talkative
Lamentation: Grieving and weeping
Repining: Complaining
Vivacious: Lively
Chapter 16 Questions
Where does Hester plan to meet Dimmesdale? Why?
Describe the scene with Hester and Pearl in the sunlight. What symbolic meaning could the
sunlight have? Why does the sunlight shine on Pearl and not on Hester?
What story has Pearl heard about the “black man”?
What does Hester mean when she says, “Once in my life, I met the Black Man. This scarlet
letter is his mark.”
Why does Pearl think the minister holds his hand over his heart? How is there symbolic
truth in what she says?
Chapter 17 Vocabulary
Redemption: forgiveness
Pentecost: Holiday before Easter
Penance: Acts of contrition
Penitence: Suffering for sin
Malevolent: Evil
Contiguity: Closeness
Misanthropy: Dislike of people
Consecration: Set apart for holiness
Satiating: Satisfying
Chapter 17 Questions
How has Dimmesdale’s secret sin affected his life? Use a quote to support your answer.
What is Dimmesdale’s “secret poison his malignity, infecting all air about him?”
From what does Hester hope to save Dimmesdale by telling him the truth about
Chillingworth?
Does Hester still love Dimmesdale? Use a quote to support your answer.
What is Dimmesdale’s reaction to the truth?
What future plans does Hester suggest to Dimmesdale as a way to escape Chillingworth?
Chapter 18 Vocabulary
Colloquy: conversation
Trammeled: beaten down
Inscrutable: unknowable
Tinge: tiny bit
Transmuting: Changing
Solemn: serious
Choleric: angry, emotional
Denizens: Citizens
Chapter 18 Questions
What is Dimmesdale’s decision in response to Hester’s plea that they leave the colony? Cite
a quote
What does Hester do that symbolizes putting the past behind them?
Hester’s transfiguration, foreshadowed in Chapter 13 occurs. What is the “magic touch”
that effects the transformation?
Why do you think the forest creatures are naturally drawn to Pearl?
Chapter 19 Vocabulary
ACCOSTING: address, greeting.
PRATTLE: to utter meaningless sounds suggestive of the chatter of children: babble.
INURED: accustomed to accept something undesirable.
MOLLIFIED: soothed in temper or disposition.
GESTICULATING: making gestures especially when speaking.
PRETERNATURAL: existing outside of nature: abnormal
ALLOY: to reduce the purity of by mixing with something debasing.
Chapter 19 Questions
Record and analyze Dimmesdale’s line: “Oh, Hester, what a thought is that, and how terrible
to dread it! that my own features were part repeated in her face, and so strikingly that the
world might see them!”
Why is Pearl upset when her mother calls her?
What is Pearl’s reaction to Dimmesdale? How is Pearl a symbol for Hester and
Dimmesdale?
Chapter 20 Vocabulary
VICISSITUDE: unexpectedly changing circumstances.
SOLACE: comfort in sorrow.
UNCOUTH: awkward or clumsy.
MUTABILITY: being liable or subject to change.
DEVOUT: sincere or hearty.
PITHY: having substance and point.
GILD: to make more attractive using deception.
POTENTATE: one who wields controlling power.
GRATUITOUS: without apparent reason or justification.
REQUITE: to make return for: repay.
Chapter 20 Questions
Where have Hester and Dimmesdale decided to go? Why?
How does Hester know the ship captain?
What does Dimmesdale want to to before he leaves?
Summarize Dimmesdale’s conversation with Mistress Hibbins.
What is the “Maze” for Dimmesdale?
Summarize Dimmesdale’s conversation with Chillingworth.
Summarize and analyze the last paragraph of the chapter.
Chapter 21 Vocabulary
PLEBIAN: one of the common people.
QUAFF: to drink deeply.
EFFERVESCE: to show liveliness or exhilaration.
MIRTH: gladness or gaiety as shown by or accompanied with laughter.
SCRUPLE: an ethical consideration or principle that inhabits action.
TEMPESTUOUS: turbulent, stormy.
PROBITY: adherence to the highest principles and ideals: uprightness.
Chapter 22 Vocabulary
CLARION: a medieval trumpet with clear shrill tones.
MERCENARY: one that serves merely for wages.
MORBID: gloomy or unwholesome feelings.
PATHOS: an emotion of sympathetic pity.
INDEFATIGABLE: incapable of being fatigued: untiring.
SWARTHY: being of a dark color, complexion, or cast.
SMITE: to attack or afflict suddenly and injuriously.
UNSCRUPULOUS: unprincipled.
STIGMA: a mark of shame
Chapter 21 and 22 Questions
What have the crowds of people gathered in the market-place to witness?
Of what ceremony in England was the Election Day pageantry a pale imitation?
What piece of unwelcome news does the ship master have for Hester?
What is particularly noticeable about Dimmesdale’s manner as he walks in the procession?
Where does Hester stand during the procession and during Dimmesdale’s sermon in the
church?
Chapter 23 Vocabulary
ORACLES: a person (as a priest) through whom a deity is believed to speak.
DEITY: Supreme Being: God.
LORE: something that is taught: lesson.
WROUGHT: deeply stirred: excited.
APOTHEOSIS: elevation to divine status.
INTIMATIONS: announcements.
NETHER: situated down or below: lower.
Chapter 23 Questions
How does Pearl react when Dimmesdale calls Hester and herself to mount the scaffold with
him?
Explain the significance of the scaffold
Explain the confusion surrounding the revelation.
Summarize Dimmesdale’s physical state before an after his sermon.
Explain why Chillingworth tries to stop Dimmesdale from confessing his sins on the
scaffold.
What do you think Dimmesdale means when he describes his and Hester’s sin as violating
“our reverence for each other’s soul”?
Chapter 24 Vocabulary
CONJECTURE: a conclusion deduced by surmise or guesswork.
NECROMANCER: a person who is believed to communicate with the spirits of the dead
(fortune teller or medium)
PORTENT: something that foreshadows a coming event: omen.
NUGATORY: having no force: inoperative.
BEQUEATHED: to hand down: transmit.
RECLUSE: marked by withdrawal from society: solitary.
Chapter 24 Questions
Following Dimmesdale’s death, summarize the fates of these characters:
Chillingworth
Pearl
Hester
What ironies are demonstrated in this chapter?