The Scarlet Letter – Ch. 13-15

Chapter 13 is another of Hawthorne’s quiet chapters, a time for further characterization of Hester and Pearl. Note the changing meaning of the letter A and be able to account for the change. Note, too, any foreshadowing of what will happen next, what conflicts will probably be resolved.

Think about the third-person omniscient point of view used in the novel. What are the advantages that this point of view offers Hawthorne as he depicts his characters? How does this point of view affect his tone? Hawthorne often pauses in the narration of the action to make a general moral comment on human nature. Mark examples of such comments as you read these chapters.

Draw some conclusions about Hawthorne’s attitude toward Hester. Is it positive or negative?

Chapter 13

  1. gibe
  2. obviate
  3. ethereal
  4. chasm
  5. acquiesce
  1. Hester seems shocked about something as this chapter starts. What is she surprised about and what does she decide to do to change things?
  2. Consider the name of this chapter. How many years after Chapter One is Chapter 13? This chapter begins by describing some aspects of Hester’s actions. As the chapter continues, we get a description of Hester that is quite different from the first few paragraphs. What’s going on?
  3. “The scarlet letter had done its office.” Explain this quote. The scarlet letter has caused Hester to question things rather than merely accept them. How has the scarlet letter NOT WORKED?
  4. What does Hester now think of Dimmesdale? Why? Can you blame her?
  5. Who does Hester see at the end of this chapter and what are her plans for him?

Chapter 14

  1. behest
  2. rankle
  3. propinquity
  4. usurp
  5. retribution
  1. Where does Hester send Pearl at the beginning? Why?
  2. “ ‘It lies not in the pleasure of the magistrates to take off this badge,’ calmly replied Hester. ‘Were I worthy to be quit of it, it would fall away of its own nature, or be transformed into something that should speak a different purport.’ ”This is a very Puritanical idea. Explain what is going on in the chapter at this point.
  3. Again Hester is shocked at something in this chapter. What is it? Use quotes as support.
  4. Chillingworth “lifted his hands with a look of horror, as if he had beheld some frightful shape.” What is happening in the chapter at this time? What does this quote mean, how is it explained?
  5. Chillingworth: “Was I not all this?”

“All this, and more,” said Hester.

“And what am I now?” demanded he, looking into her face, and permitting the whole evil within him to be written on his features.”Can we feel pity for Chillingworth? Is any of this his fault, or is it fate (“hadst thou met earlier with a better love than min, this evil had not been”)?

  1. Hester and Chillingworth pity each other. Why?
  2. What is Hester’s purpose in talking to Chillingworth? What is decided?

Chapter 15

  1. sere
  2. verdure
  3. sedulous
  4. petulant
  5. precocity
  6. acrid
  7. enigma
  8. propensity
  9. asperity
  10. upbraid
  1. What are Hester’s feeling toward Chillingworth? Why does she feel this way?
  2. What does Pearl wear a green letter?
  3. “Dost thou know, child, wherefore thy mother wears this letter?”  What is Pearl’s explanation? What do you think of this?
  4. What relationship does Hester want from Pearl? Why does Hester want to tell Pearl about the letter?
  5. “In all the seven bygone years, Hester Prynne had never before been false to the symbol on her bosom.”  Explain the significance of this quote.