The World of Nathaniel Hawthorne: Homework Questions on Chapter Five

The Scarlet Letter (and other stories)

Homework Questions on Chapter Ten ("The Leech and His Patient")

1. Why does the narrator refer to Chillingworth as a leech? What does he do that is similar to a leech?

2. What simile does the narrator use to describe Chillingworth's attempts to learn what is in Dimmesdale's heart?

3. In what respect is it true that all Chillingworth seeks (looks for) is death and decay (rotting)?

4. Why do you think Dimmesdale is becoming paranoid (unnaturally suspicious of people)?

5. Where did Chillingworth obtain the dark flabby leaf he had in his laboratory?

6. Why is that symbolic?

7. According to Dimmesdale, when and to whom should a man reveal the secrets of his heart?

8. How does Chillingworth rebut (answer) his argument?

9. Chillingworth notes that there are men who confess their wrongdoing during their lifetimes. According to Dimmesdale, why do others choose not to?

10. How does Pearl react when she sees Rev. Dimmesdale looking out the window?

Homework Questions on Chapters Eleven and Twelve (to page 231)

1. What does Chillingworth see when he pushes aside Rev. Dimmensdale's robe?
2. How does the narrator describe Chillingworth after he makes this discovery? What power does he hold over Dimmesdale?
3. How do the townspeople feel about Dimmesdale?
4. What paradoxical effect does their admiration have on him?
5.Are Dimmesdale's expressions of self-condemnation successful? Why/Why not?
6. Where does Dimmesdale go to relieve his suffering?
7. How do you explain his actions? Can he really expect to feel better?
8. Why does the narrator call his behavior a "masquerade"?

Monday, November 3, 2008

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?

3 comments:

Anonymous said...: 1. How did living as an outcast affect Hester's view of right and wrong?
It affected her view of right and wrong because Hester always felt as an outcast and all she could feel were her own feelings right at that moment of what she had done.
2. How did people now explain the scarlet letter to mean?
People explained the scarlet letter to mean as asin but in most places it ws a lot of help.
3. Why do you think Hester discouraged people from thanking her?
Hester discouraged people from thanking her because she felt that the scarlet letter was what meant the most.
4. Describe the changes in Hester's appearance caused by the scarlet letter.
Hester felt beautiful before the scarlet letter and now she appears as very unattractive with dull and dark clothes and her hair was covered.
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?
A. The narrator says this because the scarlet letter had made her seem unwanted and now feels that she doesn't belong there.
B. Hester was behaving in a modest way but others didn't think so and it made her feel so outraged inside as if she wanted to not exist.
6. What crime did she think about committing?
Hester thought of killing Pearl and herself to be in heaven.
7. Describe what Hester sees when she looks at Roger Chillingworth. What has caused that change?
Hester used to see him as calm and quiet but now she sees him wild and with a soul of fire in his eyes.
8. Why does Hester say that it would have been better if Rev. Dimmesdale had died?
Hester says it would have been better because he wouldn't have to live with all the torture he is now living with.
9. If she really believed what she said, why didn't Hester give his name to the magistrates as Pearl's father?
She didn't give his name because she didn't want him to be hurt more.
10. According to Chillingworth, why can't he forgive Dimmesdale?
He can't forgive him even if he wanted to because now that evil has started in Hester he can't take that back.; November 3, 2008 at 4:37 PM
Anonymous said...: ms the one who say "el abusador " is my ericher velez i don't know why it came like this sorry; November 3, 2008 at 6:10 PM
estrella said...: Ms. Esltein Name : Estrella Rivera

1) She felt she had a right to help Mr. Dimmesdale. She had no idea of or wrong, only her own feelings. She and the pastor had done wrong together.
2) The people explain the main of the scarlet letter that it is like a candle .the people said that the A meant Able because she is strong.
3) Because she was a helper in the dark night.
4) The scarlet letter had caused a great change in Hester, she had been beautiful, now her beauty seemed burned away by the red hot mark she wore. She seemed cold as stone .the clothes were dull and dark.
5) Because everything were against her. And also b/c Pearl herself had something wrong inside her.
6) She think about his secret enemy had been at his side for a log time. And that enemy was hidden by the promise she made years ago.
7) Hester sees that the doctor was holding a basket and looking for roots and plants.
8) Because she don’t want to her lover sees in the prison. She don’t want to see Chillingworth pointed his finger at her lover.
9) Because she don’t want to be her who tell that Dimmesdale was her lover.
10) Because he asked him many times to tell the secret and he didn’t.; November 4, 2008 at 2:48 PM