The Scarlet Letter Questions on Chapter 3
The Scarlet Letter
Key events and developments in "The Scarlet Letter."
Key events in The Scarlet Letter include Hester Prynne's public shaming and punishment for adultery, the revelation of Pearl's father as Reverend Dimmesdale, and the eventual exposure of Roger...
The Scarlet Letter
Character Development and Significance in The Scarlet Letter
In The Scarlet Letter, Arthur Dimmesdale emerges as the most significant character in the final chapters, grappling with his guilt and ultimately confessing his sin before dying. The scarlet letter...
The Scarlet Letter
What does the glowing letter imply at the end of chapter 3 in The Scarlet Letter?
At the end of chapter 3 Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter, Hester Prynne wears the scarlet letter on her breast as a sign of her adultery. To the Puritans and minister, Rev. Dimmesdale, it is...
The Scarlet Letter
Where did Hester and Chillingworth live before coming to America? Who did Chillingworth live with before Boston?
Before coming to America, Hester and Chillingworth lived in England, and Chillingworth had also resided in Amsterdam. Hester arrived in the New World ahead of Chillingworth, who was delayed by being...
The Scarlet Letter
Who says, "It irks me...that the partner of her iniquity should not, at least, stand on the scaffold by her side" in...
The quote "It irks me...that the partner of her iniquity should not, at least, stand on the scaffold by her side" is spoken by Hester's husband, who is later known as Roger Chillingworth, in Chapter...
The Scarlet Letter
What is ironic about Dimmesdale's reaction to Hester's refusal to name her child's father in The Scarlet Letter?
The irony in Dimmesdale's reaction lies in his contradictory behavior. Although he urges Hester to reveal her fellow sinner's identity, claiming it would be better than hiding a guilty heart, he is...
The Scarlet Letter
In The Scarlet Letter, who does Hester recognize in the crowd and what vow does she make?
Hester recognizes her husband, Roger Chillingworth, in the crowd while she stands on the scaffold. He was believed lost at sea but has returned after being held captive by natives. Despite his...
The Scarlet Letter
Significant Quotes and Details from Early Chapters of The Scarlet Letter
In the early chapters of The Scarlet Letter, Nathaniel Hawthorne uses symbolism and irony to explore themes of sin, punishment, and societal judgment. The prison door symbolizes the harshness of...
The Scarlet Letter
Overview of Hester's Family Background and Childhood in The Scarlet Letter
Hester Prynne's family background and childhood in The Scarlet Letter are not described in great detail. She comes from a modest English family and was married to an older scholar, Roger...
The Scarlet Letter
Compare the introductions of Dr. Chillingworth and Mistress Hibbins in The Scarlet Letter.
In both cases, the characters are introduced with a swift and vivid physical description. In the case of Chillingworth, this description carries a sense of decay—his presence is one that is...
The Scarlet Letter
Why does Chillingworth change his name in The Scarlet Letter?
Chillingworth changes his name to conceal his identity as Hester Prynne's husband, preventing her from being sentenced to death for adultery, which would be certain if he were known to be alive....
The Scarlet Letter
Find a quote in chapters 1-8 of The Scarlet Letter that illustrates text-to-self, text-to-world, and text-to-text...
Chapter 3 and chapter 8 provide examples.
The Scarlet Letter
Explain the allusion in Chillingworth's riddle from The Scarlet Letter.
Chillingworth's riddle in The Scarlet Letter alludes to the biblical figure Daniel, known for interpreting dreams and supernatural writings. This reference suggests the need for someone with divine...
The Scarlet Letter
How does Hester feel about the stranger on the scaffold?
Hester feels a deep sense of dread and terror upon seeing the stranger, Roger Chillingworth, on the scaffold. Though humiliated before the crowd, she fears being alone with him. In private, she...
The Scarlet Letter
In The Scarlet Letter, how does the stranger explain his mix of "civilized and savage costume"?
The stranger, later revealed as Roger Chillingworth, explains his "civilized and savage costume" by recounting his shipwreck and subsequent capture by Native Americans. He states he was held in...
The Scarlet Letter
What does "speak and give your child a father" mean to Hester in The Scarlet Letter?
In "The Scarlet Letter," the phrase "speak and give your child a father" is a plea for Hester to reveal the identity of her child's father, thereby allowing him to take responsibility. Despite...
The Scarlet Letter
Describe the scene in chapter 3 of The Scarlet Letter. Why does Chillingworth stay hidden?
In Chapter 3, Hester Prynne is publicly humiliated on the scaffold while a crowd watches, including her estranged husband, Roger Chillingworth. Chillingworth stays hidden to avoid punishment for...
The Scarlet Letter
How does The Scarlet Letter depict the effects of Dimmesdale's societal isolation?
Dimmesdale's societal isolation in The Scarlet Letter is depicted through his psychological turmoil and self-imposed punishment, resulting from his hidden sin with Hester. This isolation leads to his...