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An Inspector Calls
Frankenstein
The Book Thief
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The Scarlet Letter
Nathaniel Hawthorne
Study Guide
NO FEAR
Translation
Infographic
Study Guide
NO FEAR
Translation
Infographic
Summary
Summary & Analysis
The Custom-House: Introductory
Chapters 1–2
Chapters 3–4
Chapters 5–6
Chapters 7–8
Chapters 9–10
Chapters 11–12
Chapters 13–14
Chapters 15–16
Chapters 17-18
Chapters 19–20
Chapters 21–22
Chapters 23–24
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Character List
Hester Prynne
Roger Chillingworth
Arthur Dimmesdale
Pearl
Governor Bellingham
Mistress Hibbins
Literary Devices
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Motifs
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Protagonist
Antagonist
Setting
Genre
Allusions
Style
Point of View
Tone
Foreshadowing
Metaphors & Similes
Questions & Answers
Did Hester ever love Chillingworth?
What type of work does Chillingworth take on in New England?
What does Dimmesdale believe he sees when the meteor lights up the night sky?
How does Pearl react when she first sees her mother without the scarlet A?
What does Hester do after Dimmesdale’s death?
What is the purpose of “The Custom-House”?
What is the first clue that Dimmesdale is Pearl’s father?
What are Hester Prynne’s secrets?
What is Reverend Dimmesdale’s illness?
Why is Roger Chillingworth called “the leech”?
How does Hester Prynne’s reputation change in the course of the novel?
What makes Hester and Reverend Dimmesdale finally feel hope about their future?
Why does Hester choose the forest to meet Dimmesdale and Chillingworth?
What events mark the novel’s climax?
What does the last sentence of the novel mean?
Quotes
Important Quotes Explained
By Theme
Female Independence
Guilt
Nature vs. Society
Empathy
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The Custom-House
Chapters 1 – 2
Chapters 3 – 4
Chapters 5 – 6
Chapters 7 – 8
Chapters 9 – 10
Chapters 11-12
Chapters 13 – 14
Chapters 15 – 16
Chapters 17 – 18
Chapters 19 – 20
Chapters 21 – 22
Chapters 23 – 24
By Character
Hester Prynne
Arthur Dimmesdale
Roger Chillingworth
Pearl
Governor Bellingham
By Symbol
The Scarlet A
The Meteor
Pearl
By Setting
Boston in the 1600s
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The Custom-House: Introductory
Chapters 3-4
Chapters 5-6
Chapters 7-8
Chapters 9-10
Chapters 11-12
Chapters 1-2
Chapters 13-14
Chapters 15-16
Chapters 17-18
Chapters 19-20
Chapters 21-22
Chapters 23-24
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Character List
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Themes, Motifs, and Symbols
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Historical Context Essay
Literary Context Essay
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A+ Student Essay
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What Does the Ending Mean?
Further Study
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Related Links
Movie Adaptations
Nathaniel Hawthorne and The Scarlet Letter Background
Quick Quizzes
Chapters 19-20 Quiz
Quick Quizzes
Chapters 19-20 Quiz
1
of 5
Why does Pearl wash off Dimmesdale's kiss?
He smells funny.
She is afraid of him.
He refuses to acknowledge her in public.
He is a stranger.
2
of 5
Why doesn't Pearl recognize Hester?
Hester has flowers in her hair.
Hester is wearing a mask.
Pearl is pretending not to know who she is.
Hester is not wearing the scarlet letter.
3
of 5
How does Dimmesdale react to the idea of running away with Hester?
He is afraid God will punish them both.
He becomes suspicious of everyone he meets.
He is hardly able to contain his excitement.
He becomes melancholy at the thought of leaving his home.
4
of 5
What does Dimmesdale do after leaving Hester in the forest?
Speaks blasphemously to two ministers he meets on the street
Discusses the immorality of man with a sad old woman
Whispers depraved things to a young maiden
Rewrites his Election Day sermon
5
of 5
What does Mistress Hibbins accuse Dimmesdale of?
Fathering Hester's child
Consulting with the Black Man
Not truly believing in God
Lying to his congregation
Previous section
Chapters 17-18 Quick Quiz
Next section
Chapters 21-22 Quick Quiz
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