The Scarlet Letter

Unit Plan
Pre-reading Activity
Review Questions
Cooperative Learning Activities
Assessments: Tests and Project
Presentation Rubric
 Public Shaming: The Scarlet Letter Pre-Reading
(to be answered after reading newspaper article on public shame)

The concept of “public shaming” is one of many concepts prevalent in The Scarlet Letter. To ready yourselves for the
messages in this text, reflect on this article, then answer the questions below. Think carefully before you answer!

 Is “public shaming” effective in the long-term? Is it humane? Why or why not?

 What are the risks involved with Judge Poe’s philosophy? What are the benefits?

 To what extent should society’s laws govern individual behavior? Is there such a thing as too many rules?

 Do you believe people usually have one type of behavior in public and another in private? Is Judge Poe trying to
merge these public and private identities? Is it possible to reconcile these two sides of the self?

 Are there differences between the concepts of “crime” and “evil”? If so, what are the differences?

 Whom or what should be the ultimate punisher of wrongs – human beings (court/police/law) or a higher power
(God/karma/fate)?

 Finally, think back to a time in which you were expected to follow a rule that you did not philosophically
support. If you followed the rule, how did you feel about following it? If you broke the rule, were you punished?
(possibly even publicly?! ) Reflect on this experience and what it taught you.