The Scarlet Letter and Hester

A CHAPTER-BY-CHAPTER READING GUIDE FOR THE orange red LETTER A 1636 Plymouth Colony law required both bingle convicted of adultery to conduct two Capital earns viz AD cut out in cloth and sowed on theire upper close to Garments on their arme or backe and if att any succession they sh any(prenominal)bee interpreted without the said letters whiles they are in the Govrment soewarn to bee forthwith interpreted and unrestrictedkly whipt. 1 Other Massachusetts colonies had their own versions of this law.In item, The Capit tout ensemble Lawes of New-England, as they stand at wholeness time in force in the Common-wealth, by the Court, in the eld 1641, 1642, established deep down the jurisdiction of Massachusetts, proclaim that if any person committeth adultery with a matrimonial or espoused wife, the Adulterer, and the Adulteresse, shall currently be put to death. Chapter 1The Prison ad drop downion Paragraph two apologizes the typical allotment of land in a Puritan tow nship. What three establishments are first accounted for on Isaac Johnsons lot? What does this instruction tell us rough Puritan values?How does Hawthorne describe the prison? Identify a signifi hind cobblers lastt metaphor in the molybdenum divide. A pathetic fallacy is a literary device in which reputation appears to earn human flavoring and resolve accordingly. An example is believing that the sunbathe is shining because you are happy, or that a day is dark and rainy because you are ruling depressed. Hawthorne employs a significant pathetic fallacy in this opening rendering. Can you locate it? What grows near the prison? What does Hawthorne hypothecate it symbolizes? Chapter 2The Market Place 1. When does the story take place? . For what take aims did people fewtimes gather in front of the prison door? 3. Who calculates especially arouse in the punishment that is about to take place? 4. Pay aid to conversation among the women. What is their billet toward H ester? atomic number 18 they unanimous? 5. tear down the description Of Hester, the legends heroine. What look atm to be her out stand up casefulistics? What is unusual about her? What do people bill poster for the first time when fall uponing her (the indicate which drew all spirits)? 6. Note again the womens conversation. What appears to be their opinion of Hester in a flash? 7.The beadles words, A benevolence on the righteous colony of the Massachusetts, w here(predicate) iniquity is dragged out into the sunshine, tycoon engender whatsoever guessing about values. Does it seem to you that exposing iniquity is worthy of a blessing? Do we seem to feel it proper today to expose private behavior, especially wrongdoing, to public view? 8. What is Hesters punishment that day? What does Hawthorne formulate about this kind of punishment, the kind that does not allow the culprit to hide his or her shame? 9. What is purpose of contrasting Hester and her tiddler to the imag e of Divine gestation? 0. Pay particular attention to the description of the man well smitten in years. Who do you think he is? Chapter 3The Recognition require aidfully the second carve up. Who is the man at the Indians side? Imagine that you are this man. What information do you, a stranger to Boston, learn from the townsman with whom you peach? The townsman says that the magistrates of Boston hit, in their mercy and tenderness of heart, softened Hesters punishment. What do you think of this mercy? For what precedent do G everywherenor Bellingham and the looks speak to Hester? why does Mr. Wilson think Mr.Dimmesdale should speak to Hester? What is Dimmesdales emotion about this job? Note with care the first description of Dimmesdale. 5. What effect do Dimmesdale swords kick in on Hester? On the baby? 6. What kind of father does Hester say her baby forget piddle? 7. Contrast the two ministers different reactions to Hesters refusal to name her fellow sinner. Chapter 4T he irresolution 1. why did the jailer send for a doctor for Hester? 2. You ought to hunch forward for certain, by the seventh or eighth paragraph of this chapter, just who this man is. What clues (in old chapters) has Hawthorne given you as to his indistinguishability? wherefore, do you suppose, does Chillingworth want to keep his identity a secret? 3. It would be so easy for Chillingworth to kill Hester. why does he want her to live? 4. Upon whom does Chillingworth put the blame for Hesters sin? How practically is her fault? How much is his own? 5. How much revenge does Chillingworth plan to brace on Hester? (A particular line in their conversation tells us exactly. ) Who is the in truth object of Chillingworths revenge? 6. The paragraph beginning Never, sayest thou? if look at well, can reveal exactly what kind of person Chillingworth is.Read it with a touch of abhorrence in thy voice and thou must sine qua nons quake with relate at the plan this mis-shapen scholar. ( Do you see how easy it is to get carried off? ) 7. Hester says something interest about how a persons words may lead to unrivaled description of his character and his actions may lead to an some other(a). How do Chillingworths words present him? His actions? 8. What supplicate does Chillingworth make of Hester? What is his reason? Chapter 5Hester at Her Needle How does Hester feel upon exit prison? What does the future return in store for her?You dexterity converse why Hester doesnt leave Boston, since it is exclusively in Boston that she must breach the ruby letter. What are her reasons? Be sure not to overlook the most of the essence(p) of them. What features of Hesters home seem most give up? How does Hester make a spiritedness? In what humorous way does she advertise her skills? 5. Who were the only if ones who make no use of Hesters services? why? 6. What does Hester do with the extra bullion she earns (her superfluous think abouts)? What does this tell us about her character? 7. Hawthorne compares Hesters ruby-red letter with the mark on Cains forehead.If you dont know about Cains mark, you can read about it in the Bible in Genesis 41-16. scriptural allusions are not uncommon in publications, so a wise to(p) person is familiar with the major stories of the Bible. This familiarity has nothing to do with a persons apparitional beliefs. 8. What specific tortures (the innumerable throbs of anguish) does Hester endure? 9. In the intermediate (that is, the undermentioned to the last) paragraph of the chapter, Hawthorne begins to suggest that there might be some positivistic feature of Hesters wearing the ruddy letter.What is it? 10. Observe how Hawthorne uses one of his favorite devices, lettered ambiguity, in the last paragraph. Chapter 6 dip wherefore does Hester name her baby driblet? Pearl is a significant character in this novel, so pay attention to the detailed description of her. Isnt it a paradox that Pearl, the elaps e of sin, is worthy to stimulate been brought forth in Eden? In the fourth paragraph, the Scriptural authority is Proverbs 1324, which reads, He that spareth his rod hateth his son alone he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes. (In modern English, parents who withhold punishment actually hate their electric razorren, scarcely those that love them correct their behavior early. ) What is Hawthorne saying about the way parents raise their children in Puritan times? How does Hester raise Pearl? wherefore does Pearl seem not to be a human child? why is Pearl an outcast of the infantile world? What kind of games did the Puritan entertain permit children to play? Do they seem same(p) fun to you? What is the military position of the Puritan children toward Pearl? 9. What does Pearl use for playthings? Hawthorne calls them the puppets of Pearls witchcraft, a profound phrase. ) 10. The denotation to dragons teeth (in the alike paragraph) is an allusion to a Greek myth in which Cadmus kills a dragon and plants his teeth. The teeth grow into warriors who fight each other until only few are left alive. This myth, incidentally, is the beginning of the story that eventually deals to concern Oedipus Rex, but there is no association to be do amidst that story and this one. 11. What was the first thing Pearl noticed in her perplex? 12. What happens when Hester sees her reflection in Pearls eyes?This is still another example of knowledgeable ambiguity. 13. Who do the gossiping neighbors claim is Pearls father? Chapter 7The Governors Hall 1. What two reasons does Hester swallow for visiting the governor? 2. In what way does Pearl prompt Hester of the scarlet letter? 3. Contemplate the tremendous significance of Hesters looking into the armour, which reflects the scarlet letter disproportionately and hides Hester behind it. 4. The description of the garden recalls the Garden of Eden, an appropriate suggestion since we have already seen references to the Gard en of Eden earlier in the novel.Pearls crying for a red rose may suggest the appetite for forbidden fruit, and the refusal by Hester (I hear voices in the garden) may correspond to Genesis 216-17 and 36-8 (the voice of the Lord graven image walking in the Garden). A comment here about allusions, biblical and otherwise it can be frustrating to the student to encounter several(prenominal) allusions and need to have all of them layovered out. A common reaction is other(prenominal) to reject them or to express doubt that the author intended the allusion. Students need to be reminded that they are relatively inexperienced in reading literature intended for literate and educated readers.Instead of being defensive about it, they pass on aim it much to a greater extent productive to accept whatever economic aid is offered. The more they read the breach they allow become at recognizing references to other literature and history. In the meantime, they do best to keep their eyes and minds open. biblical allusions present a particular problem among people who are susceptible about the presence of the Bible in the school. While that sensitivity is understandable, it is important for instructors, especially teachers of challenging academic programs, to remember and remind others of the enormous turn the Bible has had on western culture.If we communicate the Bible as literature, we eliminate a huge portion of mature literature, art, music, architecture, theatre, and all the other humanistic discipline as well. Chapter 8The Elf-Child and the minister 1. Who arc Bellinghams guests? Which is not in good health? why? Which is the medical advisor to the sick one? 2. every of the descriptions of Pearl by Bellingham and his guests remind the reader of what important visual fact? 3. What matter were Bellingham and his guests discussing before Hesters arrival? 4. Be sure you understand two sides of the argument betwixt Hester and Bellingham. 5. How does Wilson p olitical campaign Pearl?How does she do on this test? 6. Specifically, what is Pearls answer? How did she get such a strange idea? What else do you know about the prison rosebush? Think back to chapter 1, where Hawthorne said it was a symbol, and see if you cant work out the symbolic significance of this incident. 7. How has Chillingworth potpourrid over the years? 8. To whom does Hester turn for assistance in her attempt to keep Pearl? Why does she feel he can help? 9. Dimmesdale says that Pearl is both a blessing and a torture for Hester. How is this true? 10. Pay special attention to Dimmesdales words beginning, his boon was meant. 11. As Hester and Pearl leave, it is averred that something happened. Hawthorne likes to include hearsay, gossip, rehearsal, legend, and so on in his story. Where have we seen it already in this novel? Keep an eye open for other instances as we read on. 12. Who stops Hester as she departs? For what purpose? Chapter 9The Leech When you look up leech in the dictionary, you ordain find several definitions. Which of the many possibilities seems most appropriate here? The first three paragraphs explain how Chillingworth sets up his medical practice in Boston. Who becomes Chillingworths rush patient?What is his illness? What is Dimmesdales most characteristic communicate? Why do you suppose he makes this gesture? 5. Observe how typically the people of Boston, when they are unable to explain Chillingworths arrival out of the blue, create a rumor about him. 6. So Roger Chillingworth begins a truly important section, describing the relationship that develops amongst Chillingworth and Dimmesdale. 7. What happens afterward a time, at a hint from Roger Chillingworth? 8. The penultimate paragraph (you had that word in chapter 5, question 9) compares or associates Chillingworth with whom?Chapter 10The Leech and His enduring 1. Dimmesdale develops a characteristic similar to Hesters in that he was suspicious of all mankind. The conv ersation betwixt Chillingworth and Dimmesdale concerning confession of sin is worth special attention. manifestly Dimmesdale is concealing some sin. What might that sin be? Really? What situation interrupts this conversation? What is unusual about Pearls behavior? Do you see any symbolic meaning in Pearls placing the prickly burdock on Hesters scarlet letter? If not, think some more until you do. When Dimmesdale refuses to open he outrage or trouble in his heart to Chillingworth, to whom does he say he will bare his soul? Hawthorne makes a joke It doesnt happen often, so lets not let this one get by. Dimmesdale falls asleep over a book which must have been a work of immense ability in the somniferous school of literature. (The humor depends on your knowing what somniferous sum. ) The final two paragraphs are exceptionally important. Hawthorne does not say what Chillingworth saw, but maybe you can imagine. Anyhow, you might wonder what could have made Chillingworth so happy. Can you think of a fairy tale character that Chillingworth resembles here?Chapter 11The Interior of a Heart 1. What has become of Dimmesdales attitude toward Chillingworth? 2. Even though his health is failing, how are Dimmesdales fortunes as a minister? 3. Interestingly, Dimmesdale is annoyed by the high regard his parishioners have for him (the agony with which this public veneration tortured him). Here is another example of intentional ambiguity, a form of irony. Dimmesdale is not what the people think he is. 4. Its almost zany how the congregation mistakes Dimmesdales statements of his sinfulness. (Almost, but not quite. ) 5.Compare the visions Dimmesdale has in his lengthened vigils with Hesters reminiscence in chapter 2. Why does Hester appear in Dimmesdales vision? What is important about her gesture? Chapter 12The Ministers Vigil Where does Dimmesdale go? Probably its not just accidental that its been seven years since Hester stood on the platform. Seven has been a magical enumerate since ancient times. Why does Hawthorne say that many culprits have ascended the platform? With what is he asking us to associate it? In other words, what is he qualification the platform a symbol of? Do you know by now why Dimmesdale is climbing it?No one comes when Dimmesdale screams. Why? What does Dimmesdale see from the sustain? Where has Wilson been that night? Where have Hester and Pearl been? Do you think it is a adjustment place for a seven-year-old girl to be? Maybe she had to come on because her mother couldnt get a babysitter. What does Dimmesdale invite Hester and Pearl to do? How does Dimmesdale feel as he touches Pearls hand? Why do you suppose he feels this way? The paragraph beginning But before Mr. Dimmesdale had make speechmaking is very important. Read it carefully. Most of the novels important symbols are brought together at this moment.What is the light in the sky? What does this unnatural light reveal? How is Pearl a connecting link between Hester and Dimmesdale? (You might have two answers, one literal, one figurative. ) Why does Dimmesdale have his hand over his heart? 10. Who is standing across the way watching the pic? How does Dimmesdale feel about him? Are you surprised to hear him say so? 11. What does the sexton give to Dimmesdale? How does the sexton account for Dimmesdales loss of this item? 12. How does the sexton (speaking for the townspeople) interpret the light in the sky? 13. This chapter is the halfway point in the novel.Because of the novels rigorous construction, the midpoint is the climax. From this point on, we are heading toward the resolution. Chapter 13Another View of Hester 1. Can you explain why Hester feels an obligation toward Dimmesdale? 2. Hawthorne writes in the middle of the second paragraph that It is to the trust of human nature, that it loves more readily than it hates. Do you think hes right? Has he illustrated this theme anywhere in the novel? 3. This chapter, which discusses Hes ters life, explains why the townspeople change their views of Hester. Although it is mostly descriptive, be sure you understand why they do. 4.The sentence Had she travel among thieves, the scarlet letter would have kept her safe is an allusion to the parable of the Good Samaritan, told in Luke 1030-37. Its worth reading. 5. What is the sad transformation that has come over Hester? 6. scar that Hawthorne says of Pearl that her nature had something wrong in it, which continually betokened that she had been born amiss. What other characters outward coming into courts suggest their inner natures? This is a significant feature of romanticist literature, one that continues through our own time, especially in the movies. 7. This chapter is typical of Hawthornes rotary style.He begins by discussing Hesters attitude toward Dimmesdale, and then wanders into related matters until he eventually returns (Now, however, her interview with the Reverend Mr. Dimmesdale) to the first thought. He did this before when Hester stood on the hold in chapter 2. Hawthorne builds entire chapters, as this one, around this device or, more often, he constructs his lasting paragraphs this way. This observation might help you to read the longer paragraphs with more comprehension. 8. How do you explain, in the first sentence of the final paragraph, the phrase her former keep up? How did he get to be her former husband?Did I miss a divorce somewhere? Or is there another account statement? Chapter 14Hester and the Physician 1. Hawthorne says again that a great transformation has come over Chillingworth. He has changed himself into a devil. We have seen before how Chillingworth has been compared to Satan. 2. The conversation between Hester and Chillingworth should be self-explanatory. Notice Hesters request Forgive, and leave his further retribution to the top executive that claims it. Perhaps this is a theme of the novel. 3. Chillingworth says, Let the benighted flower unfold as it may. Do you remember what the black flower is? What does he mean here?Chapter 15Hester and Pearl 1. Hester declares that she hates Chillingworth. Do you think she has good reason? 2. How has Pearl been amusing herself? 3. Pearl makes a letter to wear herself. You might bring what significance the two colors of the two letters have scarlet for Hester and green for Pearl. What might green symbolize in fellowship with Pearl? 4. Why is Pearls response to her mothers questions concerning why she wears the scarlet letter ironic? 5. For what reasons does Hester consider telling Pearl why she wears the letter? 6. You can see how Pearl is getting on her mothers nerves. How would you have answered Pearl?Do you believe, as Hester does, that There are many things in this world that a child must not ask about? Notice that Hester, at the end of the chapter, answers Pearl with an asperity that she had never permitted to herself before. Chapter 16A Forest fling This chapter begins what is for many readers the most memorable part of the novel. Remember that Hawthorne has called his novel a tale of human frailty and sorrow. In chapters 16-19 you will be evaluate to respond to this sorrow. control especially how every possibility for happiness is eliminated. Watch also how Hawthorne uses images of light and dark in the forest.If you are a romantic, you will find this scene especially moving. 1. Why wont Hester visit Dimmesdale in his piece of work? 2. Notice how the sunlight withdraws as Hester approaches it. What does the sunlight symbolize here? Why is there none for Hester? If you have forgotten about the pathetic fallacy, return to chapter 1, question 3 for a reminder. 3. What stories has Pearl heard? What does Pearl think Hesters letter has to do with the Black Man? 4. Notice how Hawthorne compares Pearl to the brook. exhibit people and temper as one was a favorite proficiency of Romantic writers. 5. Observe, too, how sorrowfully Dimmesdale approaches.Chapter 17T he Pastor and His Parishioner How do Hester and Dimmesdale approach each other? Notice the things they speak ofthe weather, their health. Why is it so herculean for them really to communicate with each other? Just before Hester tells Dimmesdale that Chillingworth was her husband (again she uses the past tense), she stresses the value of truth. Of what significance should this speech be to Dimmesdale? Hester asks Dimmesdale to forgive her and let immortal take care of her punishmentthe same request she made of Chillingworth. Why does Dimmesdale consider Chillingworth to be the worst sinner of the three?Hester speaks here one of the most important lines of the novel What we did had a consecration of its own. Be sure you understand all the implications of this sentence. She (and Dimmesdale) considered their sin to be morally acceptable (it was consecrated) in a system of laws higher than those of the church. Hester is trying to justify herself by saying that in some cases state laws are imperfect and do not, or should not, have in all cases to all people. But she cannot think that she was following Gods laws, because adultery is forbidden by the Ten Commandments. Then is she placing her individual law preceding(prenominal) even Gods law?Can she do this? Does Hester consider her love for Dimmesdale to be more important or holier than the Ten Commandments? This is a topicthe contravene between personal law and public law that appears in a great number of important literary works, such as Antigone, offence and Punishment, and The Crucible, to name just a few. What courses of action does Hester suggest to Dimmesdale so that he can rid himself of Chillingworths menace? Why is none of them satisfactory to him? Chapter 18A flood of Sunshine 1. Again Hawthorne gives a positive terminus of the scarlet letterit was Hesters passport into regions where other women dared not tread. 2. Was Dimmesdales sin a sin of passion or of principle? 3. In paragraph 4, Hawthorne g ives a very succinct statement concerning Dimmesdales predicament between fleeing as an swan criminal, and remaining as a hypocrite, conscience might find it hard to strike the balance . This is an example of a dilemma, a choice between two equally unpleasant alternatives. To be in such a situation we say is to be on the horns of a dilemma. If you interpret the metaphor to suggest being tossed by a bull, you see immediately how harmful that can be. 4. What does Dimmesdale, after a struggle, resolve to do? What are his reasons? . What does Hester do to make it as though the past had never been? (Dont let this question go unanswered. Weve been waiting seven years ) 6. How does she feel after she has done this significant thing? Note the line, She had not known the weight until she matt-up the freedom. 7. The paragraph beginning, The stigma gone is important. Hester removes her cap and her letter, and lets her pig fall down. estimate back to chapter 13, where the letter, cap, and hair had been mentioned as symbols of Hesters sad transformation from beauty to plainness. These same symbols are used here to reveal Hesters natural beauty.Notice that this chapter is called A Flood of Sunshine, a title involving a metaphor, Hesters hair is another such flood. What happens, concerning the sunshine, when Hesters hair falls down? This is one the great pathetic fallacies in all of literature. 8. Notice how Nature reacts to the love between Hester and Dimmesdale. Such was the sympathy of Nature Hawthorne uses the word sympathy in its more general sense of feeling the same (sym meaning the same and pathos meaning feeling) rather than feeling sorry for someone. 9. Pearl is standing in a beam of sunshine, of course.The move back and forth light makes her look now like a real child, now like a childs spirit. How Hawthorne loves visual ambiguity How do the animals of the forest work Pearl? Note the hearsay A wolf, it is said but here the tale has surely lapsed int o the improbable. Why does Pearl approach easily when she is called? Chapter 19The Child at the 15 rook side 1. Hester and Dimmesdale ripple very lovingly of their child. 2. What is the effect of the reflection of Pearl in the mob? 3. What does Dimmesdale do when Pearl looks at him? Then, how does Pearl respond to this gesture? 4. Why wont Pearl come to Hester? 5.Does Pearls command Come thou and take it up seem to you as though she were reminding her mother of her guilt? 6. What happens as Hester puts up her hair? Why? 7. Remember that in the second scaffold scene Pearl asks if Dimmesdale will stand with Hester and her in broad daylight. What similar request does Pearl make of Dimmesdale now? 8. What does Pearl do when Dimmesdale kisses her? Chapter 20The Minister in a Maze What arrangement has Hester made for Dimmesdale, Pearl, and herself? Why does Hawthorne consider Dimmesdale so pitiably weak? Note the final sentence of this paragraph (the third), which makes use of ambigui ty.What strange feeling does Dimmesdale have as he returns to the town? Be sure to know the meaning of the word mutability. What three people does Dimmesdale meet? What does he want to do to each of these people? Why? In the paragraph about the old woman, Hawthorne writes that she might have dropped short when she heard Dimmesdales words, as by the effect of an intensely poisonous infusion. You might be interested to know that in the 1600s it was common belief that a person could be killed if poison were poured, or infused, into his ear. Shakespeare, writing in the early 1600s, used this belief as a method of death in Hamlet.What is the importance of the episode between Dimmesdale and Mistress Hibbins? Chapter 21The New England pass 1. The day in the first sentence is three days after the forest scene. The rest of the novels action takes place on this day. 2. How does Hester feel on this particular day? To what does she look forward? 3. Notice that Pearls garb is all of one idea with her nature, suggesting again the relationship between her outer appearance and her inner nature. 4. Why is Pearl confused as she and Hester reach town? 5. Notice the forms of entertainment popular in England that are not to be found in Massachusetts. . Hawthorne writes, the generation which came after the first Puritans wore the blackest shade of Puritanism, and so darkened the national visage with it, that all the subsequent years have not sufficed to clear it up. We have yet to learn again the forgotten art of gayety. Do you agree? 7. Notice that Chillingworth is talking with the captain of the ship. Why do you suppose that he is doing that? 8. What news does the captain bring Hester? How does she respond to it? Chapter 22The Procession The first part of this chapter is a lavish description of the groups performing in the parade.Note the description of Dimmesdale as he marches. What does Mistress Hibbins know that Hester wishes she didnt? The paragraph beginning This vocal organ is a description of Dimmesdales sermon. What subject does the ships captain give to Pearl? It is sad to read in the penultimate paragraph the sentence beginning, Hester saw and recognized. Chapter 23The Revelation of the Scarlet garner 1. What is the townspeoples reaction to Dimmesdales sermon? 2. How does Dimmesdale feel about his career as a minister at this time? (Look in the third paragraph. ) 3. After he gives his sermon, what change comes over Dimmesdale? . Why does Chillingworth try to stop Dimmesdale? After all, hadnt he wanted Dimmesdales guilt to be known? 5. Where is the only place that Dimmesdale could have escaped Chillingworth? What does this mean? 6. What does the crowd see as Dimmesdale tears away his ministerial band? Are you sure? 7. Does Dimmesdale think he and Hester will meet again in Heaven? Why? 8. By big me this burning torture to bear upon my breastis this line meant to be taken literally or figuratively? Note how the alliteration, which makes the line quite poetic, provides emphasis. 9. What happens as Dimmesdale dies?Chapter 24Conclusion As might be expected, there was more than one account of what had been witnessed on the scaffold. What explanations are offered for what had happened? How does Hawthorne feel about those who say that Dimmesdale never said that he was Pearls father? Does the moral beginning Be true Be true Be true seem like a theme to you? Compare it to what Pearl said to Dimmesdale on the scaffold in chapter 12. What happened to Chillingworth? Why might love and hate be really the same thing at bottom? Who is Chillingworths beneficiary? Be sure you know what happens to Hester and Pearl.Who discovers that Hester has returned? 10. What, according to rumor, has become of Pearl? 11. What role does Hester play in the community? What is Hesters firm belief of which she assures unhappy women? For a novel scripted in 1850 this is a remarkably contemporary idea, Beside whom is Hester buried? Gules is the color red . gloomy is black. The final sentence, which summarizes the whole novel in a remarkably cryptic and symbolic way, is the description of Hesters tombstone. Before the days of colored printing, people had to find a way to instruct engravers who were oing to produce coats of arms, banners, flags, and the like. This sentence says that Hesters tombstone, which has a black background (a field sable), will be engraved the letter A in red (gules). Think of all the other things in the novel that can be described with that sentencethe midnight sky in the second scaffold scene Hesters blouse Hesters life, which seems to have been very bleak with only one moment of happiness even the Puritan period of American history, which was a dark period, as Hawthorne tells it, relieved only by one ever-glowing point of light. Let us remember that the name Hesteran archaic form of Esthermeans star. You might remember that Chillingworth said that Hester will be a living sermon against sin, until the igno minious letter be engraved upon her tombstone. Yet the letter can represent something other than Adultery. We have already come to see it represent Able, Art, and Angel. What else might the A have meant to Hester? Remember that in some Massachusetts communities, Plymouth among them, the punishment for adultery was to wear the letters AD.What could AD have represented to Hester? Congratulations. By reading this novel you have accomplished something notable and gained a great dealyou have increased your reading skills, expand your vocabulary, considered value systems that might be different from your own, investigated human psychology, and, it is to be hoped, undergone an unrestrained experience that will never leave you. 1 Here is an opportunity for the teacher to point out that English spelling and usage were not steadfastly fixed in the seventeenth century. Their and theire appear in the same sentence, sowed in modern English would be sewn, and other word forms, while recogniz able, have changed in the last three and a half centuries. NOTE This is only to function as a reading guide to help you better understand the novel. We highly suggest that you use this to check for