The Scarlet Letter, ch. 13-15

Ch. 13 - After seven years, what has the embroidered scarlet letter evolved into for Hester?

• A symbol of her skill as a seamstress

• A symbol of her pure and angelic nature

• A symbol of God's forgiveness for her sin

• A symbol of her newfound acceptance by the community

Answer explanation

In the novel 'The Scarlet Letter', over the course of seven years, Hester's embroidered scarlet letter evolves to become a symbol of her pure and angelic nature. The community starts to interpret it as 'Able', a testament to Hester's strength and goodness. Therefore, the answer is 'A symbol of her pure and angelic nature'.

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Ch. 13 - Having stolen her beauty and spirit, what does Hester's difficult, isolated life push her to do?

• Retreat into the world of her mind

• Doubt whether her own life is worth living

• Contemplate murdering Pearl

• All of the above

Answer explanation

In Chapter 13 of the novel, Hester's life has been made difficult and isolated due to Puritanical rigidity. This has led to her questioning her worth, contemplating extreme actions, and retreating into her mind. She contemplates killing Pearl and then herself as a means of escaping her loneliness. Hence, 'All of the above' is the correct answer as it captures all the ways Hester is dealing with her circumstances.

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Ch. 13 - In her decision to confess that Chillingworth is her husband, how does Hester's treatment of Dimmesdale compare to Dimmesdale's treatment of Hester throughout the novel?

• Hester is trying to hurt Dimmesdale though Dimmesdale never tried to hurt her.

• Hester is trying to hurt Dimmesdale just as Dimmesdale tried to hurt her.

• Hester is trying to save Dimmesdale though Dimmesdale never tried to save her.

• Hester is trying to save Dimmesdale just as he tried to save her.

Answer explanation

In Chapter 13 of the novel, Hester decides to confess that Chillingworth is her husband in an effort to save Dimmesdale. This is a stark contrast to Dimmesdale's treatment of Hester throughout the novel, as he never made any attempts to save her. Hester's actions highlight her protective nature towards Dimmesdale, providing a stark contrast to his passivity.

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Ch. 14 - How does Hester react when Chillingworth informs her that the council might allow her to remove her letter?

• She expresses her willingness to abide by the council's decision.

• She implores Chillingworth to advocate for her in front of the council.

• She feels uneasy about the prospect of not having the letter after all these years.

• She is adamant about removing the letter on her own conditions.

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Ch. 14 - How has Chillingworth's pursuit of vengeance affected his humanity?

• It has brought him closer to God

• It has made him more compassionate and forgiving

• It has improved his relationships with others

• It has turned him into a creature incapable of forgiveness and filled with misery.

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Ch. 14 - How does Hester's admission that she is to blame for Chillingworth's downfall differentiate her from other characters in the novel?

• It proves that she hypocritically judges others for their sins.

• It reveals her ability to manipulate others into doing her bidding.

• It shows that she is willing to take responsibility for her mistakes.

• It exposes her lack of empathy for others who are suffering.

Answer explanation

In Chapter 14, Hester's admission of her role in Chillingworth's downfall is a key character trait differentiator. Unlike other characters in the novel, she acknowledges her mistakes, demonstrating responsibility. This sets her apart as she does not try to evade blame, instead willingly shouldering it which is evident from the correct choice 'It shows that she is willing to take responsibility for her mistakes.'

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Ch. 14 - What does Hester plan to do regarding Chillingworth and Dimmesdale?

• Reveal Chillingworth's true identity to Dimmesdale

• Confront Dimmesdale about his mistreatment of Chillingworth

• Continue to keep Chillingworth's identity a secret from Dimmesdale

• Tell Dimmesdale that Chillingworth is Pearl's true father

Answer explanation

In Chapter 14 of the novel, Hester resolves to reveal Chillingworth's true identity to Dimmesdale. She believes this is necessary to save Dimmesdale from the torment Chillingworth has been causing. This decision marks a significant change in Hester, demonstrating her determination and courage.

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Ch. 15 - What does Hester think of Chillingworth after he departs?

• She hates him for tricking her into thinking she'd be happy as his wife.

• She is angry with herself for not being a faithful wife to him over the years.

• She hatees him for refusing to give their family another chance.

• She laments using the genuine love they shared in the early days of marriage.

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Ch. 15 - What has Pearl done by the seaside while waiting for Hester?

• She has built a sandcastle where she pretends Dimmesdale and Hester can live.

• She has made a necklace out of seashells to give to Hester.

• She has drawn a picture of the letter "A" in the sand.

• She has arranged seaweed to form the letter "A" on her own chest.

Answer explanation

In the 15th chapter of the book, while waiting for Hester by the seaside, Pearl has arranged seaweed to form the letter 'A' on her own chest. This action signifies her connection to the scarlet letter that her mother, Hester, bears. This is not about building a sandcastle, making a necklace, or drawing a letter in the sand.

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Ch. 15 - What does Hester tell Pearl is the reason she wears the scarlet letter?

• Because she is forced to wear it by the town authorities

• To remind her of her connection to Dimmesdale

• Because she committed a sin

• Because of its beautiful gold thread

Answer explanation

In Chapter 15 of The Scarlet Letter, Hester Prynne tells Pearl that she wears the scarlet letter because of its beautiful gold thread. This is a diversion, as the real reason is her sin of adultery. However, to protect Pearl, Hester simplifies the reason to a matter of aesthetics.

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