The Scarlet Letter By Nathaniel Hawthorne Quiz

1. Hester has embroidered what symbol onto her dress?

A bird for freedom.

A rose blossom.

A scarlet letter A.

Hester has embroidered a scarlet letter A onto her dress. This symbol represents her sin of adultery and serves as a public reminder of her transgression. The scarlet letter is a constant reminder of her shame and isolation in the Puritan society. It is meant to publicly humiliate and punish her for her actions, and she is required to wear it at all times as a form of penance.

Explanation

Hester has embroidered a scarlet letter A onto her dress. This symbol represents her sin of adultery and serves as a public reminder of her transgression. The scarlet letter is a constant reminder of her shame and isolation in the Puritan society. It is meant to publicly humiliate and punish her for her actions, and she is required to wear it at all times as a form of penance.

2. Hester removes the scarlet letter whenever she is alone.

True

False

Hester does not remove the scarlet letter whenever she is alone. In fact, she is constantly wearing the scarlet letter as a public symbol of her sin and shame. The scarlet letter is a constant reminder of her past and serves as a punishment imposed on her by the Puritan society. Hester only removes the scarlet letter when she is in private with her lover, Arthur Dimmesdale, during their secret meetings in the forest.

Explanation

Hester does not remove the scarlet letter whenever she is alone. In fact, she is constantly wearing the scarlet letter as a public symbol of her sin and shame. The scarlet letter is a constant reminder of her past and serves as a punishment imposed on her by the Puritan society. Hester only removes the scarlet letter when she is in private with her lover, Arthur Dimmesdale, during their secret meetings in the forest.

3. Hester loses Pearl after visiting Governor Bellingham.

True

False

Hester does not lose Pearl after visiting Governor Bellingham. In fact, Pearl is with Hester throughout the entire visit and remains by her side. Therefore, the statement is false.

Explanation

Hester does not lose Pearl after visiting Governor Bellingham. In fact, Pearl is with Hester throughout the entire visit and remains by her side. Therefore, the statement is false.

4. Hester tries to convince Dimmesdale to do what during their walks in the woods?

To get rid of Chillingworth

Run away and live elsewhere.

Adopt Pearl.

To marry her.

During their walks in the woods, Hester tries to convince Dimmesdale to run away and live elsewhere. This suggests that Hester wants them to escape their current situation and start a new life together, away from the judgment and scrutiny of their Puritan community. By leaving, they can find freedom and happiness away from the constraints of their society.

Explanation

During their walks in the woods, Hester tries to convince Dimmesdale to run away and live elsewhere. This suggests that Hester wants them to escape their current situation and start a new life together, away from the judgment and scrutiny of their Puritan community. By leaving, they can find freedom and happiness away from the constraints of their society.

5. How does Chillingworth figure out who Pearl's father really is?

He never finds out.

Hester tells him one day in the wood.

Dimmesdale tells him.

Chillingworth becomes Dimmesdale's doctor and guesses the secret.

Chillingworth figures out who Pearl's father really is by becoming Dimmesdale's doctor and making educated guesses about the secret.

Explanation

Chillingworth figures out who Pearl's father really is by becoming Dimmesdale's doctor and making educated guesses about the secret.

6. Mistress Hibbins suspects Dimmesdales guilt.

True

False

Mistress Hibbins suspects Dimmesdale's guilt because she is portrayed as a witch who has knowledge of people's secrets and sins. In the novel "The Scarlet Letter" by Nathaniel Hawthorne, Mistress Hibbins is shown to have a supernatural ability to sense and identify sinners. She frequently interacts with Dimmesdale, suggesting that she knows about his hidden guilt and is aware of his involvement in Hester Prynne's sin. This suspicion is further supported by the fact that Mistress Hibbins invites Dimmesdale to join her in the forest at night, which symbolizes secrecy and sinfulness. Therefore, the statement "Mistress Hibbins suspects Dimmesdale's guilt" is true.

Explanation

Mistress Hibbins suspects Dimmesdale's guilt because she is portrayed as a witch who has knowledge of people's secrets and sins. In the novel "The Scarlet Letter" by Nathaniel Hawthorne, Mistress Hibbins is shown to have a supernatural ability to sense and identify sinners. She frequently interacts with Dimmesdale, suggesting that she knows about his hidden guilt and is aware of his involvement in Hester Prynne's sin. This suspicion is further supported by the fact that Mistress Hibbins invites Dimmesdale to join her in the forest at night, which symbolizes secrecy and sinfulness. Therefore, the statement "Mistress Hibbins suspects Dimmesdale's guilt" is true.

7. Dimmesdale feels that vengefulness is worse than cowardice.

True

False

Dimmesdale, a character from Nathaniel Hawthorne's novel "The Scarlet Letter," believes that vengefulness is worse than cowardice. This can be inferred from his actions and beliefs throughout the story. Dimmesdale is a morally conflicted character who struggles with guilt and shame. Despite his own personal suffering, he chooses not to seek revenge on others, showing that he values forgiveness and compassion over vengeance. Additionally, Dimmesdale's cowardice is evident in his inability to publicly acknowledge his role in Hester's sin. This suggests that he views vengefulness as a more morally reprehensible trait than cowardice.

Explanation

Dimmesdale, a character from Nathaniel Hawthorne's novel "The Scarlet Letter," believes that vengefulness is worse than cowardice. This can be inferred from his actions and beliefs throughout the story. Dimmesdale is a morally conflicted character who struggles with guilt and shame. Despite his own personal suffering, he chooses not to seek revenge on others, showing that he values forgiveness and compassion over vengeance. Additionally, Dimmesdale's cowardice is evident in his inability to publicly acknowledge his role in Hester's sin. This suggests that he views vengefulness as a more morally reprehensible trait than cowardice.

8. Only Pearl knows why Dimmesdale holds his hand over his heart.

True

False

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Explanation

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9. Why is the first scaffold scene very ironic?

Because it’s like 10,000 spoons when all you need is a knife.

Because it is the first time that Hester has come into public wearing the scarlet "A" on her chest.

Because Dimmesdale is called upon to ask Hester who the father is.

Because Hester is married to Chillingworth and he has just arrived.

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Explanation

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10. What does Pearl best represent throughout the novel?

The living embodiment of Hester's sin

The unifying force that will bring Hester and Dimmesdale together at the end

A form of punishment for Hester

All of the Above

Throughout the novel, Pearl is portrayed as the living embodiment of Hester's sin. She is a constant reminder of the affair between Hester and Dimmesdale, and the scarlet letter that Hester wears. Pearl's existence is a physical manifestation of the consequences of their actions, and she serves as a constant source of guilt and shame for Hester. Additionally, Pearl's rebellious and wild nature reflects the passion and intensity of Hester's sin. Therefore, the correct answer is that Pearl best represents the living embodiment of Hester's sin.

Explanation

Throughout the novel, Pearl is portrayed as the living embodiment of Hester's sin. She is a constant reminder of the affair between Hester and Dimmesdale, and the scarlet letter that Hester wears. Pearl's existence is a physical manifestation of the consequences of their actions, and she serves as a constant source of guilt and shame for Hester. Additionally, Pearl's rebellious and wild nature reflects the passion and intensity of Hester's sin. Therefore, the correct answer is that Pearl best represents the living embodiment of Hester's sin.