The Scarlet Letter

1. In what century is the story of Hester Prynne set?

2. What is the occupation of the narrator of this story?

3. Where do Hester and Chillingworth live before coming to America?

4. With whom has Chillingworth been living before he appears in Boston?

5. What is situated immediately outside the door of the prison in which Hester is kept?

6. What item in the governor’s mansion shows Hester a distorted reflection of herself?

7. Which of the following is a method Dimmesdale uses to punish himself for his sins?

8. In what city do Hester and Pearl live?

9. Who is Mistress Hibbins?

10. How does Mistress Hibbins eventually die?

11. How does Hester support herself financially?

12. Next to whom is Hester buried?

13. What natural phenomenon comes to symbolize both Dimmesdale’s “sin” and Governor Winthrop’s “virtue”?

14. Why does Pearl not recognize her mother when she sees her with Dimmesdale in the forest?

15. How does Pearl acknowledge Dimmesdale as her father at his death?

16. What mark can supposedly be seen on Dimmesdale’s chest?

17. How do Hester and Dimmesdale plan to escape their suffering?

18. How does Pearl become wealthy?

19. Where does the narrator first encounter Hester Prynne’s story?

20. What item of clothing does Hester make for Governor Winthrop?

21. What color of clothing does Hester always wear?

22. Where do Hester and Pearl live?

23. What does Chillingworth pretend to be?

24. What does Hester’s letter “A” eventually come to represent to the townspeople?

25. Why does the narrator lose his job in the customhouse?