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A Tale of Two Cities
Julius Caesar
King Lear
Of Mice and Men
The Book Thief
Shakespeare
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No Fear Shakespeare Translations
Shakespeare Study Guides
Shakespeare Life & Times
Glossary of Shakespeare Terms
Literature
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No Fear Literature Translations
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How to Write Literary Analysis
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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
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Hester Prynne
Roger Chillingworth
Arthur Dimmesdale
Pearl
Governor Bellingham
Mistress Hibbins
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Protagonist
Antagonist
Setting
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Allusions
Style
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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?
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Female Independence
Guilt
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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
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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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Historical 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
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Nathaniel Hawthorne and The Scarlet Letter Background
Quick Quizzes
Chapters 21-22 Quiz
Quick Quizzes
Chapters 21-22 Quiz
1
of 5
What does the sailor tell Hester that upsets her?
The ship to Europe is being delayed.
Chillingworth is joining them on the journey.
Dimmesdale has decided not to join them.
The ship is infested with rats.
2
of 5
Why is the town gathered in the marketplace?
To elect a new town council
To commemorate the anniversary of Hester's public exposure
To celebrate the new governor
To publicly shame another citizen
3
of 5
Why is Hester disturbed by Dimmesdale's apparent vitality?
It makes him seem distant to her.
She fears he might inadvertently expose himself.
She worries that it will enrage Chillingworth.
Dimmesdale might make himself more sick.
4
of 5
Where does Hester go to listen to Dimmesdale's sermon?
The back of the church
The scaffold
The front pew
She doesn't listen to his sermon
5
of 5
Who does Mistress Hibbins suggest is Pearl's real father?
Chillingworth
The Devil
Dimmesdale
Jesus Christ
Previous section
Chapters 19-20 Quick Quiz
Next section
Chapters 23-24 Quick Quiz
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