Mastery Assignment: The Scarlet Letter
Luke Sousa
Professor Hogg
Comm-126-1037
2 January 2016
Module Eight Lesson Four Mastery Assignment: The Scarlet Letter Chapters 13-19
a. What do many townspeople now say the A represents?
The townspeople now believe the A stands for “able” rather than the real intention being “adulterer”
b. Why does Hester feel she is to blame for Dimmesdale’s poor condition?
Hester feels that she is to blame for Dimmesdale’s poor condition because while Dimmesdale has been torturing himself over his secret and slowly killing himself, Hester just sat back and witnessed it all and did not help in comforting him.
c. Why does Hester pity Chillingworth?
It is concretely stated in the text that, Hester pities Chillingworth “for the hatred that has transformed …show more content…
When Pearl questions why Dimmesdale is always holding his chest.
4. How is the forest with its many elements—sunlight, brook, and windblown trees—symbolic of the lives of Hester and Pearl?
I believe that the sunlight represents the virtue and goodness in each person. I am not quite sure about the windblown trees, but maybe it could symbolize the tormenting that Hester and Pearl have gone through, especially Hester in the town square, when she was forced to wear her Scarlet letter, and Pearl being ostracized for “being the product of a sin”.
5. Dimmesdale says, “Of penance, I have had enough! Of penitence, there has been none!” Explain how penance and penitence are different. What penance has the minister undergone?
Penance- is self-punishment to show sorrow for having committed a sin. Penitence is regret or sorrow for having committed sin. The penance that the minister has undergone has to do with his night vigils and when he inflicts physical pain on himself.
6. Chapter 17 provides readers with their first glimpse into the couple’s perspective on their indiscretion. How do they view it after 7 …show more content…
7. Why do you think that Pearl is so upset to find that Hester has removed the scarlet letter from her dress?
I feel that Pearl is upset that Hester has removed the scarlet letter from her dress because that is what she grew up with, and it was apart of her mother's identity. Without the scarlet letter, Pearl feels that Hester is not herself and can’t be the person she once was without it.
8. What effect does putting the scarlet letter back on her dress have on Hester?
When Hester has to put the scarlet letter back on her dress, she felt as if she brought back all of the burdens that came along with the scarlet letter. She placed the scarlet letter back on her dress for her daughter, to comfort her.
Extending the Text
9. Hawthorne paints a pessimistic picture of the role of women in Puritan society. Does he strike you as an advocate of women’s rights? In your opinion, have enough changes occurred so that today women are “allowed to assume what seems a fair and suitable
Professor Hogg
Comm-126-1037
2 January 2016
Module Eight Lesson Four Mastery Assignment: The Scarlet Letter Chapters 13-19
a. What do many townspeople now say the A represents?
The townspeople now believe the A stands for “able” rather than the real intention being “adulterer”
b. Why does Hester feel she is to blame for Dimmesdale’s poor condition?
Hester feels that she is to blame for Dimmesdale’s poor condition because while Dimmesdale has been torturing himself over his secret and slowly killing himself, Hester just sat back and witnessed it all and did not help in comforting him.
c. Why does Hester pity Chillingworth?
It is concretely stated in the text that, Hester pities Chillingworth “for the hatred that has transformed …show more content…
When Pearl questions why Dimmesdale is always holding his chest.
4. How is the forest with its many elements—sunlight, brook, and windblown trees—symbolic of the lives of Hester and Pearl?
I believe that the sunlight represents the virtue and goodness in each person. I am not quite sure about the windblown trees, but maybe it could symbolize the tormenting that Hester and Pearl have gone through, especially Hester in the town square, when she was forced to wear her Scarlet letter, and Pearl being ostracized for “being the product of a sin”.
5. Dimmesdale says, “Of penance, I have had enough! Of penitence, there has been none!” Explain how penance and penitence are different. What penance has the minister undergone?
Penance- is self-punishment to show sorrow for having committed a sin. Penitence is regret or sorrow for having committed sin. The penance that the minister has undergone has to do with his night vigils and when he inflicts physical pain on himself.
6. Chapter 17 provides readers with their first glimpse into the couple’s perspective on their indiscretion. How do they view it after 7 …show more content…
7. Why do you think that Pearl is so upset to find that Hester has removed the scarlet letter from her dress?
I feel that Pearl is upset that Hester has removed the scarlet letter from her dress because that is what she grew up with, and it was apart of her mother's identity. Without the scarlet letter, Pearl feels that Hester is not herself and can’t be the person she once was without it.
8. What effect does putting the scarlet letter back on her dress have on Hester?
When Hester has to put the scarlet letter back on her dress, she felt as if she brought back all of the burdens that came along with the scarlet letter. She placed the scarlet letter back on her dress for her daughter, to comfort her.
Extending the Text
9. Hawthorne paints a pessimistic picture of the role of women in Puritan society. Does he strike you as an advocate of women’s rights? In your opinion, have enough changes occurred so that today women are “allowed to assume what seems a fair and suitable