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Nathaniel Hawthorne
5. What is situated immediately outside the door of the prison in which Hester is kept?
(A) A rosebush
(B) A pine tree
(C) A gallows
(D) A graveyard
6. What item in the governor’s mansion shows Hester a distorted reflection of herself?
(A) An antique mirror
(B) A suit of armor
(C) A stained-glass window
(D) The governor’s eyeglasses
7. Which of the following is a method Dimmesdale uses to punish himself for his sins?
(A) Scourging or whipping
(B) Fasting
(C) Vigils (extended periods of wakefulness and/or prayer)
(D) All of the above
13. What natural phenomenon comes to symbolize both Dimmesdale’s “sin” and Governor
Winthrop’s “virtue”?
(A) A lightning bolt
(B) A meteor
(C) A forest fire
(D) A flood
14. Why does Pearl not recognize her mother when she sees her with Dimmesdale in the forest?
(A) Hester has removed the scarlet letter.
(B) Hester has removed her cap to expose her long hair.
(C) Hester is not wearing her usual plain gray dress.
(D) Mistress Hibbins has cast a spell on Hester, changing her appearance.
15. How does Pearl acknowledge Dimmesdale as her father at his death?
(A) By calling him “father”
(B) By interrupting his sermon
(C) By kissing him
(D) By announcing that she has seen him with her mother
20. What item of clothing does Hester make for Governor Winthrop?
(A) A cloak for his swearing-in
(B) A nightcap
(C) A pair of gloves
(D) A winter hat
24. Why did Hawthorne write the Custom-House introduction to the novel?
24. What gesture does Reverend Dimmesdale make throughout the book?
* a doctor
* a lawyer
* a clergyman
* an infantryman
26. After she is released from prison, Hester goes to live where?
* by growing crops
* by healing other people
* by her needlework
* by selling wood in Boston
* the rosebush
* Hester
* the scarlet letter on Hester's chest
* the inside of a prison cell
30. When John Wilson asks Pearl who her maker is, Pearl replies:
* a witch
* a cruel lady
* a Puritan
* a good mother
* Hester
* Dimmesdale
* Chillingworth
* Pearl
34. How does Chillingworth figure out who Pearl's father really is?
* a torch
* a meteor
* a fire
* a lantern
Aurther Dimmesdale
Mistress Hibbins
Pearl
Hester Prynne
An Indian
A Beetle
A Minister
A Blacksmith
Bible Reciting
Singing
Sewing
Reading
Chillingworth
Dimmesdale
Wilson
The Black Man
The pulpit
The jail
The forest
The scaffold
7. What does Dimmesdale see in the sky as he stands on the scaffold for the second time?
The Devil
Mistress Hibbins dancing
A fire in the church
A red A in the sky
8. Who is Chillingworth married to?
On his robes
Over his heart
On his hat
On his Bible
Three hours
One day
An hour
Five hours
Violet
Pearl
Patience
Hope
Roger Prynne
Roger Chillingworth
Roger Hamilton
Roger Frederickson
Mistress Turner
Mistress Wilson
Mistress Hibbins
Mistress Jackson
True
False
16. Where did Dimmesdale frequently put his hand?
None of these
On his forehead
Over his heart
Over his mouth
Christmas
Easter
New Year's
Election day
Yes
No
19. The novel does not include the death of which character?
Chillingworth
Hester
Pearl
Dimmesdale
21 What is part of the main character's punishment for the sin she committed?
She must never use her needle again.
She must stand at the market square for three hours.
She must move away forever.
She must give up her child as a sacrifice.
22 As the main character is fulfilling her punishment, she sees her husband.
True
False
24 The narrator said he found the idea for this novel at the Salem Custom House.
True
False
Study Questions
2. What reasons are given as to why Hester Prynne was not executed for her crime? What would
the Puritan women have done to her if given the power?
9. Describe Hester’s appearance and mental state during this time period.
11. What are the townspeople’s reactions to Chillingworth’s lodging in the same house as
Dimmesdale?
12. What changes have taken place in Chillingworth over the years?
16. What are the effects of the letter on Hester Prynne over this seven year interval?
17. What crime has Hester committed which, if known to the Puritans, would have resulted in her
death?
18. Why does Hester feel responsible for Dimmesdale’s physical condition?
19. What crime has Hester committed which, if known to the Puritans, would have resulted in her
death?
20. Why does Hester prefer to meet with Dimmesdale in the forest rather than in the settlement?
21. What significance can be attributed to the play of sunlight on Pearl and Hester?
22. What story does Pearl hear of her mother’s involvement with the Black Man of the Forest?
23. What are Dimmesdale’s reactions when Hester tells him Chillingworth’s true identity?