Work: The Scarlet Letter – Nathaniel HawthroneName:Jeremy Roberts

Moment (Page) / 2 Quotations (Page) / Literary Device(s) / Significance / Connection
Hester is led out of the jail with Pearl in her arms. (p.51) / “At the very least they should have…” (p.51) / Symbol - rosebush
Archaic Diction
Description of Hester / This is the first example of Puritan hypocrisy through the gossiping matrons of Boston. “Let him without sin cast the first stone.”
“The young woman was tall, with a…” (p.52)
Minister Dimmsdale interrogates Hester at the scaffold. (p.65) / “The young pastor’s voice was sweet…” (p.65) / Foreshadowing
Symbol – the ‘A’ / This first interrogation is significant because it foreshadows the revelation of Dimmsdale as the father of Pearl.
“She will not speak…with his hand…” (p.66)
Chillingsworth interrogates Hester in the jail. (p.70) / “I have thought of death, have…” (p.70) / Theme – Sin v. Evil
Theme – Social Facade / This dialogue introduces Hester’s estranged husband. It introduces two mains themes of the novel through his manifestation of evil.
“Art thou like the Black Man, that…” (p.74)
Hester’s ‘A’ is a profound symbol throughout Boston. (p.82) / “Sometimes the red infamy upon…” (p.82) / Symbol – the ‘A’
Symbol – Pearl
Theme – Social Facade / The effect that Hester’s badge has on the community as well as her daughter reflects the point that sin lives within everyone – appealing to all young girls.
“And looking up, she would detect the eyes of a young maiden glancing at the…” (p.82)
Chillingsworth is called the “leech” throughout Boston. (p.112) / “His form grew emaciated; his…” (p.112) / Foreshadowing
Symbol – the “leech” / This section serves to foreshadow Dimmsdale’s death. Chillingsworth is a “leech”, feeding off Dimmsdale’s guilt and conscience.
“At first, his expression had been…” (p.118)
The meteor falls as the three are together. (p.140) / “While standing on the scaffold…” (p.140) / Symbol – the meteor
Symbol – the ‘A’
Foreshadowing / The meteor is important in representing the Puritan tendency to instill symbols with meanings that are appropriate at that time – such as Hester’s ‘A’.
“Which we interpret to stand for…” (p.144)
Hester meets Chillingsworth in the forest. (p.155) / “In a word, old Chillingsworth…” (p.155) / Description
Symbol – the forest
Theme – Sin v. Evil / When Hester sees Chillingsworth in the forest, he is described in a devil-like manner, showing bias against him in the authors themes.
“He has been conscious of me. He…” (p.157)
The plan to elope/Dimmsdale kisses Pearl by the stream. (p.184) / “The stigma gone, Hester heaved a long, deep sigh in which the burden of shame…” (p.184) / Theme – Knowledge
Symbol – light
Symbol – Pearl
Foreshadowing / Pearl refuses to approach Hester until she puts on her ‘A’. She is hesitant to kiss Dimmsdale. With Pearl being a symbol of knowledge and truth, this foreshadows a flaw with the plan to elope to Europe.
“There was both truth and error in…” (p.189)
Election Day festivities fill Boston with joy and fun. (p.216) / “It was as Hester said, in regard…” (p.216) / Theme – Social Façade
Description
Foreshadowing / This is a final show of hypocrisy. The Puritans left sinful Europe in hopes to purify themselves. The Election Day festivities are full of sin.
“But we perhaps exaggerate…” (p.216)
Dimmsdale shows his “mark”, Pearl kisses him, and he dies. (p.231) / “With a convulsive motion he…” (p.231) / Climax
Symbol – the ‘A’
Theme – Social Facade / In the climax, Dimmsdale reveals his secret, shows his ‘A’, and dies. The entire mood of Boston changes with the revelation of their flawed Minister. Sin, even in the purist of people, is inevitable.
“Pearl kissed his lips. A spell…” (p.231)