Chapter 12
Where does Dimmesdale go at the beginning? Why does he go there?
Early on, there is reference to something on Dimmesdale's breast. What is it? A quote would be nice.
" 'It is done!' muttered the minister, covering his face with his hands. 'The whole town will awake, and hurry forth, and find me here!' "
Explain this quote, telling what is going on before "the minister" says this and how this is a significant moment in the chapter.
Who does see him? "The whole town"?
Why is Mr. Wilson out so late?
Does Dimmesdale talk to Mr. Wilson?
Who does Dimmesdale see next?
What does Pearl ask him to do?
Consider the entire conversation between Arthur and Pearl. What happens? Is this important?
"Nothing was more common, in those says, than to interpret all meteoric appearances. . ."
Explain what this has to do with anything going on in the rest of this chapter.
What does the minister see in the sky? Looking through that paragraph, is Hawthorne clear that what Dimmesdale saw was definitely what was in the sky?
Who else is with Dimmesdale?
Why doesn't Dimmesdale recognize him? What is your explanation and what is Hawthorne's?
This chapter ends in the next day. What happens at the end of this chapter? Why do you think Dimmesdale says, "I had not heard of it"?

Homework on Chapters 8 and 9

1. Why has Chillingworth booked passage on the ship Hester and Dimmesdale will be taking?
2. What does Mistress Hibbins intuit (understand) about Reverend Dimmesdale? What does she think they have in common?
3. Why does Chillingworth try to stop Dimmesdale from taking Hester and Pearl's hands?
4. How does Dimmesdale break Chillingworth's power over him?
5. What does the narrator mean when he says that about Pearl that "A spell was broken"? (page 70) What has caused the spell to be broken?

Homework for Chapter Seven

1. In what ways are Hester and Rev. Dimmesdale different in the woods? (Note: your answer should touch on the symbolic importance of the woods in this novel.)
2. What does Hester advise Dimmesdale to do in order to get rid of Chillingworth?
3. Do you think her advise is practical or realistic?
4. What does she mean when she tells Dimmesdale "You will not go alone"?
5. What occurs when Hester throws away her scarlet letter?
6. We have seen, again and again, how Pearl hurts Hester's feelings by treating the scarlet letter like a toy. What does she do when she sees Hester's dress without the scarlet letter?
7. Why does Pearl insist that Hester continue to wear the scarlet letter? Haven't the people of Boston decided that Hester does not have to wear it anymore?
8. Why does Pearl wash off Dimmesdale's kiss? How has he disappointed her (again)?

Second Homework on Chapter Six

As we finish studying Chapter Six, I would like you to write a paragraph with your reflections about the story. We have seen that Hester blames Chillingworth for forcing her to marry him. Dimmesdale blames Hester for seducing him and causing him all his problems. Pearl blames Hester for refusing to tell her about the meaning of the scarlet letter.

In your paragraph (of at least 10 sentences, to be handed in to me tomorrow) discuss your reaction to the way Hester is being treated.

Does she deserve this treatment at the hands of her husband/child/lover?

Explain your answer and your reasons.

Discuss how a woman in Hester's situation would be treated today, in 2008.

REMEMBER: WE HAVE A TEST ON MONDAY ON CHAPTERS 4-6. YOU MUST READ THE CHAPTERS AGAIN AND REVIEW ALL OF THE HOMEWORK QUESTIONS AS WELL AS YOUR NOTES.

Homework on Chapter Six

1. Why does Hester believe that Roger Chillingworth did a greater wrong to her than she did to him? Do you agree? Why?/Why not?
2. How do you explain Pearl's behavior with the bird?
3. What does Pearl do with the seaweed? Does this remind you of another action earlier in the book?
4. Explain the association between Rev. Dimmesdale's action and the scarlet letter on Hester's chest.
5. Why is Hester reluctant to tell Pearl the truth about herself and Rev. Dimmesdale? Does she think Pearl is too young to understand or is there another reason?
6. How does the narrator describe little Pearl?
7. Why doesn't Roger Chillingworth want to inform the magistrates that Dimmesdale is Pearl's father? What does he gain by keeping quiet?
8. What is Chillingworth's motivation (reason for) behaving this way? What does he gain by it?
9. What does the scaffold symbolize?
10. What does going into the woods symbolize?

Homework Questions on Chapter Five

1. How did living as an outcast affect Hester's view of right and wrong?
2. How did people now explain the scarlet letter to mean?
3. Why do you think Hester discouraged people from thanking her?
4. Describe the changes in Hester's appearance caused by the scarlet letter.
5. Why does the narrator say that the scarlet letter had not done its work? Wasn't Hester behaving in a modest and proper way?
6. What crime did she think about committing?
7. Describe what Hester sees when she looks at Roger Chillingworth. What has caused that change?
8. Why does Hester say that it would have been better if Rev. Dimmesdale had died?
9. If she really believed what she said, why didn't Hester give his name to the magistrates as Pearl's father?
10. According to Chillingworth, why can't he forgive Dimmesdale?

Who is right in the debate between Dimmesdale and Roger Chillingworth?

In Chapter Four, Roger Chillingworth and Arthur Dimmesdale have a debate about whether it is appropriate or desirable to reveal the truth about your actions. Dimmesdale says that it is ok to wait until Judgement Day and that some men would not be able to do good if people know the truth about them.

Chillingworth argues that telling the truth will make you feel better and that, if you don't tell the truth you are lying to yourself and to others.

How do you feel about this debate? Whose side are you on and why?