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15 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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What is the setting of the scarlet letter? |
A new colony located in Boston (Puritan colony); 17th Century (1642) |
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Why does Hawthorne begin the story with a reflection about the need for a cemetery and a prison? |
Even though the colony is shown as a utopia, the Puritans still recognize that there will be crime and death, making both necessary (original sin). This also sets up a dark tone & gloomy setting for the novel. The prison is symbolic of condemned and disgraced people. |
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What is the significance of the wild rosebush that grows beside the prison door? |
The prison is a dark and dreary place and the rosebush offers brightness and hope, showing that there is always good in life to offset the bad. |
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Who was Ann Hutchinson? |
She immigrated to Boston in 1634 and became an influential religious leader, arrested because she was seen as a threat by the civil and religious leaders. Her beliefs were unorthodox. She was eventually sent away from the community and killed by Indians. |
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What does Hawthorne achieve by his reference to “the sainted Ann Hutchinson?” |
He shows us how serious the Puritans take their crimes which prepares us for what to expect from the novel. |
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On what note does this chapter begin? |
People are all standing around the prison waiting for someone to emerge. |
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What is Hawthorne saying about the Puritan women of the New World? |
7 |
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For what sin is Hester Payne condemned? |
Adultery |
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What is the Old Testament punishment for adultery? |
Stone to death |
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What is the public view of Hester’s sin as expressed by the women outside the prison? What do their comments suggest about this society? |
They are angry and feel that even killing her would be letting her off easy. They want to have her branded with an iron. Their beliefs reflect the strict adherence to religious values and morals in their society. |
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What is Hester’s punishment? |
She must where a scarlet letter "a" everywhere |
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What is surprising about the “A” Hester has sewn for herself? What might this indicate? |
It was very ornate and artistically done, more so than what is allowed by the colony. The ladies gossip that this makes it seem that she is proud of her sins. |
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What is accomplished by Hawthorne’s allusion to the Madonna and Child? |
There are parallels drawn between Mary and Hester and how they draw their strength from their baby. Also, there are parallels drawn between the baby and Jesus and their innocence. |
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Considering the common use of physiognomy in pre-twentieth-century literature, what might Hawthorne be suggesting by portraying Hester as extremely beautiful? |
14 |
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What does the Flashback reveal about Hester’s past? |
She lived a wealthy childhood and was very educated. |
