The Scarlet Letter

What is ironic about the fact that Reverend Dimmesdale has been given the task of urging Hester to name the father of her child?

• He is the father.

• He is her pastor.

• He is her husband.

• He would be shocked.

The word tremulous means "quivering" or "shaking," but it also conveys the connotation "trembling out of fear." Look at the context in which tremulous appears in paragraphs 3 and 4. What is Hawthorne implying about Dimmesdale?

• that he is concerned about Hester's welfare

• that he is uncomfortable or frightened

• that he is suffering from an illness

• that he is hesitant to expose Hester

What does Dimmesdale's willingness to stand in judgment of Hester say about his character?

• He is vain and arrogant.

• He is modest and reticent.

• He is a man of high principles.

• He is a hypocrite and a coward.

How does Hawthorne build tension in this excerpt?

• by delaying Hester's response

• by including her child in the scene

• by including Hester's husband in the scene

• by placing Hester on the balcony next to Dimmesdale

What do Hester's responses to Reverend Wilson in paragraph 10 and to the voice in the crowd in paragraph 12 suggest about her character?

• She is weak and easily swayed.

• She is superficial and capricious.

• She is strong and compassionate.

• She is judgmental and humorless.

In paragraphs 7 and 14, Hawthorne refers symbolically to the scaffold Hester is standing on as the "pedestal of shame." What is ironic about symbolizing the scaffold in this way?

• Scaffolds bear no resemblance to pedestals.

• The inappropriate nature of the symbol emphasizes Hester's shame.

• Ordinarily, someone or something placed on a pedestal is being admired.

• It highlights the fact that Hester is positioned where everyone can see her.

The word insensibility has several meanings. Which meaning best fits the context in which the

word is used in paragraph 14?

• subtlety

• indifference

• meaninglessness

• unconsciousness

Which is the best interpretation of the metaphor "her spirit could only shelter itself beneath a stony crust of insensibility" in paragraph 14?

• Hester's spirit and physical faculties are being compared to a stony crust

• Hester's insensibility is being compared to the condemnation she receives.

• Hester's indifference to the condemnation is being compared to a stony crust.

• A stony crust is being compared to the condemnation of the elders and townspeople

Which choice explains why the townspeople, in paragraph 14, imagine that the letter Hester wears "threw a lurid gleam" as she returned to prison?

• The sun is illuminating the gold embroidery on the letter

• They think the letter has come alive and is smiling at them

• Hester's footsteps cause the letter to move from side to side.

• They liken its red color to the flames of hell and think it is glowing.

What is the theme of this excerpt?

• Individuals who are hypocritical will suffer

• Individuals who judge others are hypocritical

• An individual will suffer for defying the moral code of a society

• An individual who defies the demands of a community is being foolhardy