Scarlet Letter Quiz 3

Ch. 12-20
Chapter 12
1. Why is Hester out at night when she passes the scaffold?

2. What promise does Dimmesdale make to Pearl while they stand on the
scaffold together? What promise will he NOT make?

3. What do Hester, Dimmesdale, and Pearl see in the sky as they stand on
the scaffold?

4. What does that sight seem to symbolize for Dimmesdale? What do the
villagers believe it symbolizes?

5. Who is watching the three as they stand upon the scaffold?

6. What was found upon the scaffold the next day? Who does the sexton (a
town guard) believe left it there?

Chapter 13
7. How much time has passed between the beginning of the novel and the
start of ch. 13?

8. What do some villagers say Hester’s “A” stands for?

9. Do the townspeople still revile Hester? How do they treat her now, seven
years later? What does Hester think about how they treat her?

10.What have Hester’s tribulations done to her appearance?

11.What things cause Hester to question whether or not having Pearl was a
good thing?

12. What decision does Hester make at the end of the chapter?

Chapter 14
13.The magistrates have been debating whether or not to allow Hester to
remove the ‘A’ from her chest. But what does Hester have to say about
that?

14.What has happened to Chillingworth’s face over time? What does he seem
to be transforming into?

15. Hester implores Chillingworth to stop torturing Dimmesdale, because who

does she believe that Chillingworth should really be torturing? Include a
QUOTE:
Chapter 15
16.What symbol has Pearl made to adorn her clothing while her mother is
away?

17. Why does Hester believe that Chillingworth has committed a greater sin
than she or Dimmesdale?

18.What lie does Hester tell Pearl? Why does she lie to Pearl?

Chapter 16
19.Pearl is compared to a brook in this chapter—why? (see page 163)

20.How is Pearl UNLIKE the brook?

Chapter 17
21.What secret does Hester finally tell Dimmesdale?

22.What ideas does Hester set forth for Dimmesdale to escape his torment
and live? List at least 3:

23.How does Dimmesdale respond to Hester’s ideas? Does Dimmesdale seem

to desire to live?

24.How is Hester finally able to convince Dimmesdale to leave the

settlement?

Chapter 18
25.What act of freedom does Hester do after she and Dimmesdale have
decided to leave together? What does this do to Hester’s appearance?

Chapter 19
26.Why won’t Pearl come over to Hester and Dimmesdale?

27.What does Pearl do when Dimmesdale tries to show her affection?

Chapter 20
28.What city are Hester, Dimmesdale, and Pearl going to escape to?

29.How soon does the ship leave? Why is this a good thing for Dimmesdale?

30.What temptations arise for Dimmesdale on his way home from the woods?
Why do these temptations arise?

31.What does Dimmesdale tell Chillingworth when he returns? What does

Chillingworth then know?

32.What does Dimmesdale do with his first draft of the Election Day sermon?