The Scarlet Letter: Key Concepts

The Scarlet Letter, a novel by Nathaniel Hawthorne, explores the consequences of adultery in 17th-century Puritan Massachusetts. Hester Prynne, publicly shamed and forced to wear a scarlet 'A', raises her daughter Pearl in solitude. Her estranged husband, Roger Chillingworth, seeks revenge on Pearl's father, Arthur Dimmesdale, by tormenting him. Dimmesdale eventually confesses his sin publicly and dies. Chillingworth's revenge is thwarted, and he dies soon after. Hester and Pearl leave town, but Hester returns years later, continuing to wear the scarlet letter until her death.

Who is the author of 'The Scarlet Letter'?

• Nathaniel Hawthorne

• Mark Twain

• Herman Melville

• Edgar Allan Poe

In which century is 'The Scarlet Letter' set?

• 19th century

• 18th century

• 17th century

• 16th century

What is the main focus of 'The Scarlet Letter'?

• The American Revolution

• The affair itself

• The effects of the affair

• The Puritan religion

What punishment does Hester Prynne face for her crime?

• Fines

• Public shaming

• Imprisonment

• Exile

What symbol must Hester wear as a mark of her sin?

• A scarlet 'A'

• A green 'D'

• A blue 'C'

• A red 'B'

Who is Hester's husband?

• John Proctor

• Arthur Dimmesdale

• Reverend Wilson

• Roger Chillingworth

What is Chillingworth's main goal after arriving in Boston?

• To become a minister

• To leave the town

• To start a new life

• To find Pearl's father

How does Hester support herself and Pearl?

• By sewing

• By farming

• By teaching

• By writing

What is Pearl's behavior like as she grows up?

• Calm and obedient

• Shy and reserved

• Studious and quiet

• Wild and disobedient

Who convinces the governor to let Pearl stay with Hester?

• Roger Chillingworth

• Arthur Dimmesdale

• Reverend Wilson

• Governor Bellingham