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Scarlet Letter ~ Ch 16-19

Vocabulary:

Choose your own! Pick 10 words from chapters 16-19 and provide the original sentence, Webster's definition, and a sentence of your own.


Chapter 16: “A Forest Walk”

  1. Where does Hester plan to meet Dimmesdale? Why?
  2. Describe the scene with Hester and Pearl in the sunlight. What symbolic meaning could the sunlight have? Why does sunlight shine on Pearl and not on Hester?
  3. What story has Pearl heard about the “black man”?
  4. What does Hester mean when she says, “Once in my life, I met the Black Man. This scarlet letter is his mark.”
  5. Why does Pearl think the minister holds his hand over his heart? How is there symbolic truth in what she says?
Chapter 17: "The Pastor and His Parishioner"

  1. How has Dimmesdale’s secret sin affected his life? Use a quote to support your answers and cite the page number.
  2. What is Dimmesdale’s “secret poison his malignity, infecting all air about him?”
  3. From what does Hester hope to save Dimmesdale by telling him the truth about Chillingworth?
  4. Does Hester still love Dimmesdale? Use a quote to support your answer. Cite a page number.
  5. What is Dimmesdale’s reaction to the truth?
  6. What future plans does Hester suggest to Dimmesdale as a way to escape Chillingworth?

Chapter 18: “A Flood of Sunshine”

  1. What is Dimmesdale’s decision in response to Hester’s plea that they leave the colony? Cite a quote and page number to support your answer.
  2. Why is the chapter called, “A Flood of Sunshine” ?
  3. What does Hester do that symbolizes putting the past behind them?
  4. What is the sunshine a symbol of?
  5. When Hester throws down her scarlet letter, the transfiguration foreshadowed Chapter 13 occurs, and Hester’s beauty returns. What is the “magic touch” that effects the transformation?
  6. Near the end of this chapter, the forest creatures are naturally drawn to Pearl and recognize her as “a kindred wildness.” How do you account for this wildness in Pearl ?

Chapter 19: “The Child at the Brookside ”

  1. What does Dimmesdale mean when he says, “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!”
  2. Why is Pearl upset when her mother calls her?
  3. What is Pearl ’s reaction to Dimmesdale? How is Pearl a symbol for Hester and Dimmesdale?

Chapters 16 & 17 due WED
Chapters 18 & 19 due THURS
Vocabulary due THURS (must be typed)

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