Chapter 1

1. What types of imagery are used to introduce the puritan townsfolk in "The
Prison Door"? What is the effect of this imagery and how does the narrator
further this portrayal in "The Market Place"?
- When the puritan townsfolk are introduced the narrator says how they are
dressed in sad-color garments, this shows that it is dark and gloomy and the
prison door is said to be old and a heavy oak which shows how their would be
nothing coming in or out of the doors. This whole scene is gloomy and dark, which
does not show happiness but the opposite, darkness and sadness. This is carried
thought to "The Market Place" with the same idea of how it is dark and gloomy
and the people still wearing dull colors. The narrator also says how this was used
for hanging people and the gallows could be seen in the background which would
add to the eradesants of the scene.

2. What is the significance (symbolic, thematic, or otherwise) of the rosebush

outside the prison door?
-The rose-bush is a sigh of the earth being kind to you before you go and rote in
a cell for the rest of your life. It also shows how people are too. For example every
person has two sides: a mean side and a good side. Well the rose-bush is the
same way, on one side you have a beautiful flower and on the other side you have
this thorns that will hurt you if you were to touch one.

Chapter 2:
3. What traits characterize the women of Salem? How might their collective
demeanor be a product of Puritan society? What is the artistic function of the
"young wife" within this group?
-The women of Salem do not have a voice in certain things but are very
judgmental. A man in the crowd comes up to a group of women as says "I'll tell ye
a piece of my mind. It would be greatly for the public behoof, if we women being
of mature age and church-members in good repute, should have the handling of
such malefactresses as this Hester Prynne. What think ye, gossip? If the hussy
stood up for judgment before us five, that are as the worshipful magistrates have
awarded? Marry, I trow not!" Then the women continue to talk about Hester with
this man and he even joins in.

4. What is Hester's first action in the novel and what does it reveal about her
character? Describe her demeanor as she emerges from the prison.
-When the prison door opens their is a guard that is their to lead Hester out of
the prison into the open air; Hester repelled him off he shoulder and stepped into
the crowd free-willing. This shows that Hester is a women who is not afraid of
what she did and is not going to hide behind her scarlet letter ever. Hester
demeanor is was almost carefree. Hester walks out of the jail freely with no
shame in what she did and if she does she does not let the world know she is
upset with what she did.

5. According to the narrator, what is our greatest "outrage...against our

common nature"? do you agree? How might this opinion on the part of the
narrator shape the telling of this story?
According to the narrator, the greatest outrage is to "forbid the culprit to hide his
face for shame;as it was the essence of this punishment to do". I disagree with
the narrator because if one did a sin like Hester did, they should be punished and
made feel shame. Committing a sin like Hester, has to have its conscuenses. This
opinion of the narrator will shape the telling of the story because it will use the
character of Hester to reveal how one who commits a sing, shows their courage
and how one is strong enough to face the humiliaton of the townspeople and still
show weakness inside without letting anybody notice.

6. While she is on the scaffold, Hester's memory runs through a brief summary
of her past. What significant events are referred to, however vaguely?
While on the scaffolding, Hester's mind is sent into a whirlwind of memories. She
remembers events from her youth in England regarding sports and"childish
quarrels" (55). She saw the village and house in which she grew up in, her father
and mother's face, her own face, and a young man in great detail. Her memories
then shifted towards more recent events in her American life. Her new home and
village as well as the surrounding scenery. Her last memory returned her back to
the marketplace where realization struck back.

Chapter 3:
7. Describe the stranger standing next to the Indian during Hester's punishment.
-This man who Hester sees when she is when she is executing her punishment
is someone she must be connected to. They said that when the man saw her
looking at her in a way that showed she know him, he put his finger to his lip so
she would not say anything. This man did not want Hester to reveal something
about him so he must be a bad person or he is hiding something.

8. Why does the stranger call Hester's punishment "a wise sentence"?
The man believes that Hester has been appropriately sentenced for her crime. He
believes that Hester will be a walking representation against sin. The "A"
embroidered on her dress will serve as a reminder for any townspeople that see
her. The man disagrees with sentencing her to death, but rather agrees with the
concept of forcing her to live with her sin for the rest of her life.

9. Describe Reverend Dimmesdale. What are his most significant physical

features and what do they suggest about his personality and even his soul?
Reverend Dimmesdale's physical features include an "impending brow" and large
melancholy eyes. His lips were described as "apt to be tremulous", meaning slight
trembling. His overall presence appeared to be that of a cautious, semi-frightened
man. These physical features portray Dimmesdale as a nervous character, despite
is overwhelming amount of knowledge. The town sees him as an intellectual
superior, especially when it comes to religion. The common phrase "with
knowledge comes power" seems to contradict Dimmesdale. Though he is highly
involved in the church and understands his leadership role, it appears as though
he is still nervous. We later learn Dimmesdale Hester's lover whom she
committed adultery with.

10. What argument does Dimmesdale use to try convince Hester to name her
"fellow-sinner"? How does Hester respond? how does her child respond?
-Dimmesdale says "thou headrest what this good man says, and seest the
accountability under which I labor. If thou feelest it to be for thy soul's peace,
and that thy earthly punishment will thereby be made more effectual to
salvation, I charge thee to speak out the name of thy fellow-sinner! Be not silent
from any mistaken pity and tenderness for him; for, believe me, Hester, though
he were to step down from a high place, and stand there beside thee, on thy
pedestal of shame, yet
better were it so, than to hide a guilty heart through life. What can thy silence do
for him, except it tempt him,- yea, compel him, as it were - to add hypocrisy to
sin? Heaven hath granted thee an open ignominy, that thereby thou mayest work
out an open triumph over the evil within thee, and the sorrow without. Take
heed how thou denies to him - who, perchance, hath not the courage to grasp it
for himself - the bitter, but wholesome, cup that is now presented to thy lips!"
What he was trying to say to Hester was that trying to save him from the wrath of
people will not help him because living in sin is far worse than letting it out and
that Hester would be doing this man a favor if she was to say his name. Hester
refuses to say the name of her fellow sinner to save him. Hester's child rose up
one of its arms to the young clergy man and cried out a little cry.

11. Why does Hester say the scarlet letter can never be removed from her
breast?
-Hester says that the scarlet letter is part of her and she can never remove it.
Even if they could remove the actual letter she would still have it on her because
eit is in her soul.

12. How does the sermon delivered by John Wilson begin to expand the
symbolic significance of the scarlet letter? How does town gossip and
superstition do the same?
Reverend Wilson exclaims that by giving up the name of Pearl's father, Hester will
be repented of the sin and can therefore remove the scarlet letter from her dress.
This further emphasizes the belief that the town believes that a physical
representation of sin is equivalent to that of other just punishments. Wilson
believes that once Hester "corrects" her sin and give up the name of her lover,
she will no longer have to deal with physical representation of her sin. However,
he fails to acknowledge the emotional and mental toll this symbol and sin has had
on Hester. The way the town gossip, superstition, and Reverend Wilson focuses so
strongly on the scarlet letter and name of the father implies that they carry more
weight on having the power to control punishments instead of correcting the
moral compass in sinners. They fail to look beyond the surface. For a town so
focused on religion, it's ironic that they believe something so shallow as the
removal of the scarlet letter and the admittance of the father would make the
sinner innocent again.
Chapter 4
13. What does Chillingworth mean when he says to Hester, "We have wronged
each other"?
This statement is one of many in a conversation between Hester and
Chillingworth. This dialogue is the first they've had since they were separated and
thus carries great emotion. Chillingworth acknowledges that he was wrong to
assume that he, a physically deformed man, would be able to maintain a happy
wife. Hester later mentions that she never lied about her feelings, indicating that
the marriage was primarily Chillingworth's doing. The conversation also explains
that Chillingworth was eager for love. Chillingworth also takes responsibility for
not reuniting with Hester sooner, even though it was implied that he might have
been captured by Native Americans. Of course, this statement also highlight's
Hester's wrongdoing of adultery. She has hurt him significantly, fueling his
determination to seek revenge on the baby's father.

14. Why does Chillingworth ask Hester to keep his identity a secret? Why is this
ironic in the light of his profession?
The novel frequently mentions Chillingworth as a scholar and one who has spent
his life obtaining knowledge. The emphasis on Chilllingworth's job as a scholar
contradicts his desire to remain anonymous. As one who embraces knowledge,
it's expected that he would want to inform others of his name and enlighten them
with the knowledge of his identity. The irony of withholding knowledge despite
his profession gives the reader even more insight to Chillingworth's malicious
personality.
Chapter 5
15. How does Hester's life change once her public humiliation is over?
In many ways, Hester's life changes dramatically. First she moves to a small
cottage house between the wilderness and town. This self seclusion further
intensifies the sense of loneliness that Hester feels. People view her as a walking
embodiment of sin. When familiar faces see the scarlet letter on Hester's chest,
the stare they give consistently reminds Hester of this sin. Strangers also give a
harsh, judging gaze at the letter. Through the course of several years, Hester is
often viewed as an outcast, yet still remains a constant symbol of sin.
16. The narrator gives two reasons for Hester's refusal to leave New England,
one that is authentic and one that Hester fabricates as a "self-delusion." Explain
each one and what it reveals about Hester's character.
Hester does not flee New England after her sentence. She considers New England
her home, a place where she has established herself and a place where several
meaningful events take place. The story describes this as the place where some
"marked event has given the color to their lifetime." The importance of these
events have driven Hester to stay. This shows that Hester remembers important
events and isn't shy about letting the importance of events dictate her actions.
Another reason, described as half delusional involves her sin. Hester believes that
she must remain where her sin was committed to fulfill her punishment. This
shows that Hester, despite the harsh punishment by Puritan society, still abides
by the strict moral code instilled by Puritan beliefs.

17. Where does Hester live after her leaving the prison? What is significant
about this location?
Hester lives in a house on the outskirts of the peninsula. The house is located just
outside the town, but before the wilderness. The house isn't so secluded from the
town that she can't interact with anybody, but is just hidden enough to make her
feel lonely. This further emphasizes the belief that her sin ostracizes her from the
townsfolk, but not enough for her to be completely banished. The townsfolk want
her involved with the town so they can use her as a symbol of what not to do, but
don't want her so involved so she feels the pain of her punishment.

18. How does Hester support herself and Pearl? What does her profession
reveal about Puritan society? What is the one job she is never asked to do and
why?
Hester uses her ability needlework skills to support herself and Pearl. The detail
and beauty she incorporated in her letter A showed off her unusual ability to
create finely made garments. These items were described as extremely beautiful
and worn by the town officials, including the governor. This highlights the
hypocrisy in Puritan society. For a town so focused on isolating and judge Hester
for her sin, they are highly dependent on her skill. Hester is never asked to make
anything related to marriage. It is believed that a tarnished person such as Hester
shouldn't taint the purity of marriage.

19. Apart from wearing the scarlet letter, in what specific ways is Hester
isolated from the townspeople? How is she made to suffer by this?
Hester is isolated because she is a spectacle of sin. When she attends church, the
sermon often reflects her and her sin. When people stare at her, she is
consistently reminded of her actions and therefore feels the burning guilt. Her
home secludes her from the town, but still often attracts unwanted attention,
especially by children. When Hester performs charity work, the poor often ridicule
her. The harsh attitudes by the townsfolk isolate her from them.

20. What new and special power does the scarlet letter seem to give Hester?
What is Hester's reaction to this newfound ability?
Hester claims the scarlet letter gives her the ability to sense others' sin. She even
claims that the letter pulses sympathetically when she comes across one hiding a
sin. She despises this ability, for it creates even more pain and agony on top of the
amount she already has to deal with for her own actions. The pressure and
responsibility she feels for knowing other's sin overwhelms her and she feels
guilt.
Chapter 6
21. Why does Hester name her child Pearl? Why does she worry about Pearl's
character?
Hester names her daughter Pearl to symbolize the extreme price Hester payed
that resulted after the birth of Pearl. Pearl was born and revealed Hester's act of
adultery. This sin completely changed Hester's life, making the price of Pearl
considered very expensive. This is similar to the materialistic pearl's naturally high
expense. Hester worries about Pearl's character because of the circumstance in
which she was born. Since Pearl was born out of sin, Hester worried that this
darkness of sin could manifest itself in Pearl.

22. How does the narrator account of Pearl's wild and untamed character?
The narrator describes Pearl as an out of control child similar to a spawn of the
devil. Puritan society believes that a child born from sin has the potential to
embody sin. Hester worries the truth in this belief as Pearl grows to become an
unruly child. The narrator also describes Pearl as a mirror of Hester. Pearl
represents a constant physical reminder of her sin. Pearl shares Hester's
rebellious character. The two are constantly together, therefore their actions
reflecting upon each other. When Pearl refuses to make friends with the town's
children, the crude comments Pearl makes is reflected onto Hester. This reflection
further isolates Hester from the town.

23. What success does Hester have in controlling Pearl? How does Pearl interact
with the other children in the village? What rumor circulates about Pearl's
paternity?
Hester has very little success in controlling Pearl. Various methods are tested,
with only physical compulsion showing mild effectiveness. Pearl interacts with
other children very negatively. She throws stones at them or insults them with
cruel words. Instead of reaching out and attempting to make friends, Pearl
chooses to create enemies. Even in her imaginative play, Pearl creates fictitious
versions of enemies just so she can destroy them. This further emphasizes the
devilish spirit within Pearl. When Hester asks Pearl a question, Pearl responds by
demanding to know where she came from. Hester responds by exclaiming that
Pearl came from their Heavenly Father. Again, displaying devilish traits, Pearl
responds with, "I have no Heavenly Father!"

24. What purpose might the mother-daughter conflict play in the novel?
Hester often sees herself in Pearl. As the novel develops, it can be assumed that
Pearl will consistently serve as both a symbol of herself and her sin. This is bound
to have an emotional toll on Hester as she tries to mother her child. The conflict
between the two may also be seen as an internal conflict within Hester. Due to
the amount of emphasis Hawthorne places on the resemblance between mother
and daughter, it may be possible that their conflict is an external symbol of
Hester's internal symbols. When Hester argues with Pearl for being a sinful, angry
child, it could also be seen as Hester criticizing sin, and therefore criticizing her
self for committing a severe sin.
Chapter 7
25. For what two purposes does Hester go to Governor Bellingham's mansion?
Hester goes to Governor Bellingham's mansion to deliver a pair of fancy gloves
she made for him and discuss the possibility of her losing custidy of Pearl. The
town has rumored that Pearl truly is a devil child due to her being born out of sin.
It doesn't help that Pearl frequently displays odd and potentially cruel behaviors
and remarks.

26. Describe Pearl's dress and comment on its significance.

Hester made Pearl a dress with a color strikingly similar to the scarlet A Hester is
forced to wear. The dress is a deep scarlet with gold decoration. The A found on
Hester's dress is practically identical. The narrator even states that Pearl, in this
dress, is a living copy of the scarlet letter. This indicates how profound of an
impact the scarlet letter has had on Hester. She refuses to hide from it, but she
seems to let it the concept of the letter consume her and led her to make a dress
modeled after it.

27. Describe the construction and furnishing of Governor Bellingham's mansion.

What does it reveal about Puritan culture?
Governor Bellingham's mansion is bold and bright. The narrator describes it as
more fitting to Aladdin than that of an old Puritan leader. It's a large wooden
house that hasn't be touched by the presence of death, the narrator explains.
Instead, the bright lights emulating from the house insist that life thrives inside
the mansion. It reveals that Puritan culture focuses strongly on leading
government officials. The fact that such a beautiful mansion housed a governor
shows that Puritans respected and expected only the best for their leaders. The
strict severity of Puritan culture is exemplified in this mansion description.

28. What possible symbolic meanings are associated with sunshine and the suit
of armor in Chapter 7?
The sunshine and suit of armor represent a focus on the scarlet letter on Hester's
dress. When Pearl encourages Hester to look at herself in the suit of armor,
Hester only sees the exaggerated, distorted proportions of the scarlet letter. The
narrator describes the look as if the Hester was hidden behind the letter itself.
The sunlight can be seen as spotlight on the scarlet letter. The constant patches of
sunlight that attract Pearl highlight the letter on her dress and therefore seem to
bring the letter into prominence.
Chapter 8
29. What reason does the Governor give for taking Pearl from her mother? How
does he "examine" Pearl and for what purpose? How do Pearl's responses
strength the elders' biases against her and Hester?
The governor believes that it is his right to remove the child from a women so
tainted with sin. He, and many others, don't believe that a woman guilty of
adultery can raise a child of God. To examine the child, the governor requests that
Mr. Wilson observe her. Wilson inquires about the origins of Pearl's existence.
Despite her true knowledge of her Heavenly Father, Pearl's inner rebellious side
takes over and she gives a sarcastic response of being plucked from a bush of
roses. This helps develop the idea that Pearl is unable to be raised a true
Christian. Since she was unable to name the Heavenly Father that created her, the
governor and Mr. Wilson argue that no religion is within her.

30. What reason does Hester give for her need to keep Pearl? Who supports her
plea and why?
Hester argues that she needs to keep Pearl to keep her sanity and vitality. Hester
claims that without Pearl, she might as well be dead. In fact, she even threatens
to kill herself before they remove Pearl from her custody. Hester explains that
Pearl serves not only as a reminder of her punishment, but also a recipient of her
love and affection. Hester, though pained by the constant reminder and
representation of her crime, deeply loves Pearl. According to Hester, Pearl can
learn from Hester's crime of adultery by observing the penalties in which she
faces. Dimmesdale is the only of the elders to support Hester. As far as we know
up to this point, the only reason is the fact that Dimmesdale knows Hester the
best by being her pastor. He has witnessed more of Hester's qualities than
anybody else, and therefore is more capable of making an accurate judgement of
her character. We later learn that this sympathy is most likely linked to him being
the father of Pearl.

31. How does Pearl behave towards Dimmesdale in the garden?

Pearl responds well to Dimmesdale in the garden. For the first time, Pearl shows
love and compassion by approaching Dimmesdale. She stuns bother the reader
and Hester by taking Dimmesdale's hand and caressing it upon her cheek. This
action of love proves a sense of humanity in Pearl. It contrasts the wild and hectic
aspects of her personality that we, the reader, have been exposed to. It further
supports Dimmesdale's theory that the child can overcome the sin of her mother
and be a good Christian, loving human.

32. What is the purpose of the interaction between Hester and Mistress Hibbins
at the end of Chapter 8?
This interaction shows that Hester has not fallen to sin, most likely due to Pearl.
Hester claims that she would attend the witch gathering had she not have to look
after Pearl. This shows that without Pearl, Hester would have been more likely to
commit more sin other than adultery. This helps build the concept that Pearl acts
not as just a negative reminder, but a positive instigator for Hester's actions.
Hester is forced to consider her daughter in her actions and will likely chose the
best for Pearl. This means that Hester will likely avoid sinful actions to preserve
Pearl's image as best as possible. It also emphasizes Hester's resistance to sin.
Chapter 9
33. How does Chillingworth make a place for himself in Boston society? Why are
we as readers suspicious of his professional and social motivations? Why does
this suspicion seem to be absent from the narrator's tone?
Chillingworth is noted as an intellectual whose knowledge surpasses most of the
townsfolk. Due to his intellectual superiority in the field of medicine, he is
welcomed by the community. The town of Boston has very little access to
effective health care, and with the decreasing health of their beloved minister,
Chillingworth's arrival is thought of as a miracle. As readers, we are informed of
Chillingworth's hidden evil in Chapter 4 with Hester. Chillingworth has been
portrayed as a vicious character set on revenge and this new profession seems to
be exactly on his path of finding the father of Pearl. The narrator doesn't have a
heavy emphasis on Chillingworth's sinister motivations because the focus of the
chapter is to introduce the relationship between Dimmesdale and Chillingworth.
We have already been exposed to the evil within Chillingworth so the narrator
takes this time to build of the neutral theory of Chillingworth's presence.

34. How do Dimmesdale and the people of the town take differing views
towards his failing health?
The townsfolk accredits Dimmesdale's failing health to be a result of over
dedication towards his religious studies. They believe that Dimmesdale has delved
so deep into his work that he has driven himself ill. A lack of sleep and exhausted
mind is to blame, according to the townsfolk. This helps build the idea that
Puritan society practically worshiped their religious officials and believed they
could do no harm. Dimmesdale, however, disagrees with this belief. He believes
that, if God were to take him, it would be due to his lack of morals and sin. This
highlights Dimmesdale's inner guilt and moral weakness.

35. How does Chillingworth come to be Dimmesdale's personal physician? What

do the two men have in common as a basis for friendship? Whose idea is it that
they should live together?
Chillingworth has presented himself to be a very informed scholar and physician
of rare talent. Due to the lack of better health care, Chillingworth is able to worm
his way into Dimmesdale's life by becoming his physician. The two develop a
friendship due to their intelligence. Both men continue to seek out knowledge
and wisdom. The two grow from each other and enjoy intellectual converstaion.
Chillingworth encouraged the idea that the two should move in together due to
Dimmesdale's refusal to marry. According to Chillingworth, since Dimmesdale
opts to live without a wife to care for him, Chillingworth should be in charge of
that task.

36. What biblical stories are portrayed in the decorations of Dimmesdale's

room? What themes or issues are suggested by these stories?
The biblical stores portrayed in the paintings of Dimmesdale's room show
adultery and the punishment for the crime. The adultery relates to the story of
Hester Prynne's sin. It's ironic that a minister of a woman convicted of adultery
flaunts the sin in a decorative fashion in his home.

37. What two conflicting ideas did the townspeople hold about Chillingworth?
Originally, the townsfolk admired Chillingworth for his intelligence. They
respected his knowledge and appreciated his arrival to help the minister.
However, as Dimmesdale's and Chillingworth's relationship builds, the town
grows cautious. Physical features of evil have grown on Chillingworth's face. The
town rumors that Chillingworth is either the Devil or a worker of the Devil
charged with pestering Dimmesdale's spirit. Despite the malicious theory, the
town still believes that the good heart of Dimmesdale will overcome any potential
Devilish attempts. This further develops the concept of worship that Puritans had
on their religious officials. Again, this worship proves how heavily religion is
viewed in Puritan society.
Chapter 10
38. How has Chillingworth changed since Hester first knew him? How does the
narrator use imagery or description to reveal the nature of Chillingworth's
metamorphosis? What is the cause of this change?
Chillingworth has developed into a character riddled with determination and
secret evilness. He is eager to discover the real reason behind Dimmesdale's
illness. Once he concludes that Dimmesdale is hiding a sin, Chillingworth rudely
persists the matter. The narrator describes the sinister motivation behind
Chillingworth's actions as that similar to the Devil. The narrator elaborates on
other's beliefs that a Devilish presence is within Chillingworth to give the reader
the idea that Chillingworth is truly evil. The change from a passive character to a
more determined, evil character was first touched upon when Chillingworth was
very angry over Hester's sin. In the past couple of chapters, this was heavily
drawn on. Chillingworth is know portrayed as a man driven mad by his desire for
the truth.

39. What does Chillingworth suggest is the cause of Dimmesdale's "illness"?

Chillingworth believes that Dimmesdale is ill due to a secret sin that Dimmesdale
refuses to confess. Dimmesdale states that it's an illness of his soul. Once
Chillingworth notices that medicine does not help, he agrees with Dimmesdale.
This leads to constant pressure by Chillingworth on Dimmesdale to reveal the
truth. This further agonizes Dimmesdale who is so distraught over the secret sin.

40. Summarize the disagreement between Chillingworth and Dimmesdale over

the confession of sin. What are the points of view offered by each man? Why
does Dimmesdale leave the room? What is the larger significance of this
conversation?
Chillingworth believes that it is better in all circumstances for man to confess sin
while on earth so he may be presented to God in a pure manner. Dimmesdale
immediately disagrees, insisting that a man my not be able to confess his sin. This
is direct reflection on Dimmesdale's internal conflict of housing his own hidden
sin. Chillingworth, not knowing this hidden sin, counters this with arguing that
revealing sin can heal the beholder of agony and allow them a better afterlife.
Dimmesdale holds his opinion that the decision of confession should be between
God and the beholder. After Chillingworth crosses the line with constant nagging,
Dimmesdale leaves the room out of rage. The two quickly make up and become
friends again.

41. What misbehavior does Pearl indulge in below Dimmesdale's window? How
does this scene suggest a link between the child and the minister?
Pearl is seen hooking burrs onto the scarlet letter upon Hester's chest. Once Pearl
takes note of the two men, she tells her mother that the Devil has already
touched the minister and they must leave to avoid being taken by the Devil. This
implies that Chillingworth, Dimmesdale's constant companion, is an embodiment
of evil of the Devil. The fact that Pearl has caught onto this relationship shows a
unique perspective that the adults have been unable to see. This statement by
Pearl also seems to indicate some relationship towards the minister. She
identifies him as the victim and therefore implies sympathy. If the child were to
have no relationship to either man, she most likely would have ignored the prying
eyes as both Hester and Pearl are used to being stared at.

42. What important discovery does Chillingworth make while Dimmesdale is

sleeping? How does the narrator describe Chillingworth's joy and why is this
description meaningful?
While Dimmesdale is sleeping, Chillingworth sneaks up and moves Dimmesdale's
shirt to expose his chest. Chillingworth is amazed at the discovery and begins to
dance about in a prideful way. The narrator notes that if any man were to have
seen Chillingworth's celebration, they would surely associate it as some sort of
dance of the Devil. This helps imply that the discovery benefits Chillingworth's evil
plan and most likely will cause harm to Dimmesdale's reputation. In this chapter,
Chillingworth has been stern on discovering the sin which as caused the minister's
ailment. Due to the exaggerated celebration, the reader can infer that the
discovery somehow answers that question. However, the chapter ends without
identifying what the discovery was.
Chapter 11
43. How and why does Chillingworth change his purpose in light of his
discovery?
Chillingworth does not show any outward change, but his evil motives have
intensified. Though Chillingworth appears calm and normal, he has malicious
intentions. The sudden change in Chillingworth's attitude is caused by the
discovery of something regarding Dimmesdale's chest. At the end of the previous
chapter, Chillingworth ecstatically dances at the discovery. Chillingworth believes
he has found the hidden sin in Dimmesdale in which he has been searching for.
This gives the reader further insight to Chillingworth's true, evil intentions.

44. How does Dimmesdale's suffering affect his work as a clergyman? What is
the public reaction when Dimmesdale "confesses" his sinfulness from the
pulpit? Describe and analyze the narrator's tone toward Dimmesdale as he
describes this confession.
Dimmesdale is unable to keep up with other high ranking church officials. The
narrator explains that there are others who are older that contain more
knowledge than Dimmesdale. However, the public refuses to change their view of
Dimmesdale. When he makes a rather vague confession, the audience praises
him. They see his sermons that resemble his own sin as proof of his holiness. The
narrator depicts the scene of Dimmesdale's confessions in a somewhat
sympathetic way. The narrator focuses strict detail on the agony in which
Dimmesdale submits himself to. The narrator reinforces the physical and
emotional abuse Dimmesdale inflicts upon himself. This emphasis sparks
sympathy in the reader. The narrator states that the speech in which Dimmesdale
delivers was so plain and honest that the audience should stand from their seats.
The exact opposite happens and the audience ends up loving Dimmesdale even
more. This segment has a very exaggerated tone. The narrators focus on the
audience's presumed reaction of rebellion is countered with the true reaction of
admiration. This could be taken as either sarcastic (due to the extreme variation),
or honest shock. Since the narrator has a history of criticizing the public, it's likely
that he truly doesn't understand how the audience could admire a man that was
attempting to admit sin.

45. Through what practices does Dimmesdale seek penance for his sins? What is
the narrator's tone toward Dimmesdale as he relates these practices?
Dimmesdale forces himself to punishment. He whips himself, often leaving trails
of blood. He attends night vigils that force him to remember his sin. Due to his
mental and emotional struggles and poor health, he begins seeing visions. These
visions play on Dimmesdale's fear, furthering his agony. He subjects himself to
physical pain as well as mental pain. The narrator depicts sympathy by detailing
the extremeness of these punishments. At the same time, the narrator reminds
the reader that the sin and punishments are self-inflicted. The narrator is
sympathetic enough to emphasize the minister's agony, but isn't blind to the sin
in which Dimmesdale committed.
Chapter 12
46. Why does Dimmesdale go to stand on the scaffold?
This is another way Dimmesdale attempts to relieve his agony. He believes that
subjecting himself to the same punishment as Hester Prynne had years ago, he
would feel better. However, due to his intense shame and weakness, he opts to
stand on the scaffold at night. This emphasizes Dimmesdale's inability to admit his
sin in public, yet reminds the reader he himself will never forget it. Dimmesdale
stands on the scaffolding for quite some time. This time allows the minister to
imagine the reaction of the morning crowd if they had awoken to see him
standing on the scaffold.

47. Which two people come to their window when Dimmesdale shrieks? What
symbolism might be involved in the author's choice of these two characters?
Governor Bellingham and his sister, Mistress Hibbins awake in the night due to
Dimmesdale's shriek. Mistress Hibbins most likely attributes the source of the
noise as witches flying with the Devil. The governor, after some inspection,
retreats back inside to resume sleeping. The author may have picked these two
characters because they contrast each other. The governor assumes the shriek is
nothing abnormal and pays little attention to it. Mistress Hibbins accurately
assumes the shriek comes from a sinful source, but inaccurately assumes it
involves witchcraft.
48. Why are Rev. Wilson and, later, Hester and Pearl out at night? Why Does
Rev. Wilson miss seeing Dimmesdale?
The reason that Reverend Wilson, Hester and Pearl are walking home late the
night that Dimmesdale is on the scaffold is that they have been to see
Governor Winthrop. The first Governor of the Colony is dying and Reverend
Wilson was sitting by his bedside comforting the dying man.Hester was there
to measure the Governor for his burial clothes since she is an excellent
seamstress. Reverend Wilson misses seeing Dimmesdale because he is
walking home deep in thought and the sky has not yet brightened with the
scarlet letter shining in the clouds.
49. What question does Pearl ask Dimmesdale? What is his answer? Why is this
interaction significant?
Pearl asks Dimmesdale if he would remain on the scaffold with her and Hester
until noon tomorrow. The minister replies that he will one day, but not tomorrow.
This short scene of dialogue portrays the minister's refusal to publicly come forth
about his sin. He acknowledges his participation in the sin, but will not own up to
it until "Judgement Day". Dimmesdale's inability to come clean, even to his
daughter, further re-emphasizes his moral weakness.

50. What "sign" appears in the sky? How is it described? What two
interpretations are offered by which characters?
A meteor flies by and leaves a bright letter "A" illuminating the sky. It is described
as intensely bright. The light the meteor gives off shines down on the scaffold, as
if bring the minister's sin out of darkness and into the light. The meteor's light also
shines brightly on several homes in the town. Dimmesdale and Hester assume the
letter "A" refers to the sin that they share. They believe that the timing of the
meteor gives enough probable cause for them to assume that it's about them.
The sexton at the end of the chapter offers an alternative meaning. He explains
that many of the townsfolk attributes the letter "A" to Governor Winthrop. Since
Winthrop passed away that night, the town believes it represents his presence in
heaven as an angel.

51. What is Chillingworth's reaction to finding Dimmesdale on the scaffold?

Dimmesdale describes Chillingworth's presence by the scaffold as terrifying. The
minister begs Hester to reveal the identity of the man for he scares him. Hester,
remember her promise to Chillingworth, refuses to tell. Dimmesdale is frightened.
Chillingworth approaches Dimmesdale in a calm, casual manner. He says nothing
evil or malicious. Instead, he acts sympathetic towards the minister. He coaxes
Dimmesdale to return with him. Chillingworth even remarks that Dimmesdale
should spend less time studying for it contributes to his poor health. The reader,
however, knows not to trust this innocent dialogue.

52. How does his experience on the scaffold affect Dimmesdale's sermon the
next day? How does the Sexton interpret his discovery of Dimmesdale's black
glove on the scaffold?
Dimmesdale's sermon the next day is described as his most powerful yet.
Supposedly, it saved many lives. After the moving sermon, the Sexton approaches
Dimmesdale with a black glove. The Sexton explains that the glove was found on
the scaffold where sinners stand. He believes that the Devil most of placed it
there to antagonize the minister. Dimmesdale is forced to remember the previous
evening, fighting with his mind to separate illusion with reality. The Sexton tells
Dimmesdale that he should no longer fight back the Devil with gloves. Instead, his
pure, bare hand should be used.
Chapter 13
53. How has Hester's position in the community changed? How is this linked to
any change in the townspeople's perception of the scarlet letter's symbolism?
Explain the narrator's comment that "the scarlet letter had not done its office."
Hester, over the years, has gained respect from her fellow townspeople. The
initial reaction the letter and her sin brought her has increasingly diminished as
time went on. She bothers nobody, nor does she beg. Her consistently innocent
life has been displayed for the town ever since her sin. She is known for her
generous, charitable work no matter what the circumstance. This has allowed her
peers to view her with more positive light than the little negative the scarlet letter
brings. The townsfolk began to associate the letter with the new meaning of
"able" instead of it's original terminology of "adultery". Again, this shows a shift in
the town's perception of Hester. They are now able to see the benefit that has
come out of the sin, further exploring the theme of good coming from evil. The
narrator says that the letter had not been doing it's job. The letter has had an odd
effect on Hester. It eventually granted her the respect of the town, but she has
mentally shut down and socially isolated herself into sadness. The letter was
intended to make Hester remember her sin and better herself, but instead it has
led her to question her existence and the mere point of it.

54. Describe the changes in Hester's appearance and temperament that have
come as a result of wearing the scarlet letter. Include an explanation of how her
view on womanhood has changed.
Hester's appearance is extremely simple compared to her beautiful potential. She
dresses in dreary boring attire, as if in an attempt to avoid sticking out among a
crowd. Despite the town no respecting and admiring her helpfulness, she still
refuses to take advantage of that. When people confront her to converse, she
merely points to the letter A. The town has given her a stage for her social
growth, but Hester has not taken the journey to climb the stage. She prefers to
continue helping people, but not necessarily get the recognition for it. When
thinking about womanhood, Hester realizes the immense hurdles women would
have to overcome. First women would have to prove themselves and gain
equality. Then, they would have to prove themselves even more to take
advantage of that equality. Not only would external factors have to be changed,
but also internal. Women would need to overcome the socially constricting
concept of women's inferiority to men. A woman would have to realize that she is
equal and overcome the social stigma that says otherwise to truly become equal.
If a woman is allowed to have a respectable role, the woman would have to grow
enough courage to attempt that feat. Hester has difficulty in finding hope among
these variables.

55. What stimulus gives Hester the courage to confront Chillingworth, to act on
Dimmesdale's behalf?
Hester noticed the extremely poor health Dimmesdale was in and recognized her
part in contributing to his health decline. She knows that his internal agony of
hiding his secret was causing his external troubles. She knows that her husband is
obsessed with revenge, and therefore should be considered an enemy of
Dimmesdale and not a friend. Realizing her potential mistakes, Hester wishes to
correct her actions and help the one suffering, Dimmesdale.
Chapter 14
56. During his conversation with Hester, what opinion of Dimmesdale's
character does Chillingworth offer? Why does he refuse to leave him alone?
Why does he insist that Dimmesdale has "increased the debt"?
Chillingworth elaborates on his belief that Dimmesdale is a weak coward.
Chillingworth believes that Dimmesdale would not have been able to tolerate the
hidden secret had it not been for the help of Chillingworth. Chillingworth thinks
that he has had a life of good character, giving him reason enough to pester
Dimmesdale. He asks Hester if she remembers the man he used to be, a
determined individual set on acquiring knowledge. These positive traits he credits
himself with makes him believe that he has the right to live alongside
Dimmesdale. According to Chillingworth, Dimmesdale has not received his portion
of punishment yet. Hester was punished via the scarlet letter, and now it was
time for Dimmesdale to be punished. By not openly admitting his guilt and
allowing his enemy to look after him, Dimmesdale has opened the doors for
Chillingworth to administer the punishment he sees fit.
Chapter 15
57. Why does Hester feel Chillingworth "has done me worse wrong than I did
him"?
Hester committed one sin that affected Chillingworth. She cheated on him. Yet,
she is still fulfilling her punishment although it is arguable whether she has
already completed her punishment or not. He is constantly adding fuel to the fire
and receiving no punishment for it. First, he somehow influences her to marry
him and force her to spend years pretending to love him. Second, he leaves her
for a significant amount of time and still holds her to the standards he set years
before. Finally, despite her wishes, he still persists on punishing Pearl's father. He
has affected her negatively many more times than she has. The one time that she
did betray him, she was strictly punished for it. The many incidents he betrayed
her, he is never punished.

58. What object does Pearl make for herself out of grasses and seaweeds? How
is this object given symbolic significance by its differences from the original?
Pearl makes a green letter A to wear on a dress she made for herself out of
grasses and seaweeds. The narrator explains that Pearl has the ability to see and
make beautiful garments, just like her mother. The most notable difference was
the color. Hester's was a vibrant scarlet while Pearl's was a modest, earthly green.
Pearl's letter was made from natural elements, unlike Hester's. The combination
of the color and natural materials made Pearl's letter appear more down-to-earth
and genuine. It carried more simplicity to it than the ornate scarlet letter on
Hester's bosom. Pearl's letter had no meaning, either. It was simply an innocent
mimicry of her mother's attire. The child is relating to her mother without any
concept of evilness.
59. Explain Hester's statement, "if this be the price of the child's sympathy, I
cannot pay it." Later, in chapter 16, what does the narrator say Pearl needs in
order to "make her capable of sympathy"?
Hester makes this statement when Pearl inquires about the meaning of the
scarlet letter. Hester, for the first time, starts to see the potential warmth and
love being returned by Pearl. Hester had always thought that the two shared a
one-way love, and this scene was the start of Hester receiving some love as well.
Somewhat perplexed by the sudden intrigue from her daughter, Hester thinks
about the question. She wonders how much their relationship could grow if she
reveals the truth. However, she comes to a conclusion that a more close mother-
daughter relationship is not worth admitting to her sin.
Chapter 16
60. Why hasn't Hester ever visited Dimmesdale in his study? What does Hester's
desired meeting place suggest about the nature of their relationship?
Hester refuses to meet Dimmesdale in his study because she fears the presence
of Chillingworth. Had she chosen to confront him in his study, the two would be in
close proximity of Chillingworth, an enemy to them both. It would be unwise to
meet in a place so close to somebody who held active hostility towards
Dimmesdale. Hester preferred to meet Dimmesdale in the open woods. This
suggests that Hester needs to feel free and not confined by external forces. She
feels safer in the woods for the likelihood of a peer discovering them
is significantly low. If she were to meet in his study, or anywhere in the town for
that matter, she would risk rumors being spread about the content of the
meeting.

61. According to Pearl, why does the sunshine "love" her and not Hester? Why
is Pearl's observation significant?
Pearl claims that the sunshine fears Hester because of the scarlet letter. Since
Pearl is still youthful and has no letter on her bosom, the sunlight loves her. Pearl
implies that the sunlight doesn't shine down on those who sin, like the letter
represents. This leads the reader to believe that Pearl views the sunlight as pure
and truthful, something that she embodies, but Hester does not. This helps build
the motif of light versus darkness. The novel has emphasized light illuminating
truth and highlighting meaningful moments, yet darkness conceals the evil of sin.

62. How is the brook described? What possible symbolic meanings could be
associated with it?
The brook is described as isolated, quiet, and ultimately sad. Pearl is focused on
the humble nature of the brook. The water streams slowly and without a sound,
giving it a sad atmosphere. The narrator contrasts the brook to Pearl. The two
have each encountered many mysteries in their lifetime. The difference being
their reactions to the mysteries. Pearl responds with her wild and energetic self,
while the brook succumbs to it's surroundings. The brook is described as a place
where it's inhabitants are free of the strict public town, but are somewhat
confined by the lurking sense of mystery and shame the brook brings.

63. What questions does Pearl repeat throughout chapters 15 and 16? What do
these questions suggest about Pearl and about her relationship with her
mother?
Pearl constantly asks her mom about the meaning of the letter A and Hester's
interactions with the Black Man. Hester believes Pearl is too young to understand
the concept of adultery and refuses to risk their relationship by explaining it to
her. This can be taken as Hester's genuine love for Pearl and her desire to
maintain their friendship. It could also be viewed as another step towards
avoidance that Hester takes. Instead of confronting the meaning of the letter,
Hester skirts around truth. Pearl has always been one to question, especially
authority. Hester loves Pearl deeply, but cannot find the right words or time to
express the truth.
Chapter 17
64. How is Dimmesdale described as he comes walking through the forest? How
does his manner change once he realizes he is not alone?
He is described as weak and fragile looking. He uses an old staff to support his
weight as he walks. It's clear that his poor health has taken a toll on his physical
appearance. As he hears a voice, his posture becomes more sturdy and strong. He
attempts to mask his weaknesses and flaunt what little strength he had left. This
shows that he is very conscious of his image and doesn't wish to appear as weak
as he truly is.

65. Describe Hester and Dimmesdale's meeting. How would you describe their
interaction? What important question does Dimmesdale ask Hester?
Hester and Dimmesdale have an emotional conversation while hidden in the
forest. It was emotionally packed, with Hester pleading with Dimmesdale to
runaway and escape the misery of the town. He responds with a pitiful
explanation of his lack of strength and desire to leave. Dimmesdale asks Hester if
she has found peace. This shows that he still cares about her, but his concern is
directed towards her reaction to her sin. This most likely stems from his inability
to find peace over the years. Their conversation has both love and concern mixed
in. They care about each other's well being, but have differing views on how to
handle the situation.

66. How do Dimmesdale and Hester disagree over the quality of Dimmesdale's
pastoral work and its effect on Dimmesdale's life? How do they view repentance
and redemption differently?
Hester believes that Dimmesdale has proven himself worthy of forgiveness and
mental peace. She notes that his overly generous attitude has given appropriate
means to forgive himself. He has justified his one sin by overcompensating with
other pure actions. He completely disagrees, believing that his involvement in
adultery has forever tainted his soul. Dimmesdale refuses to believe that there is
anything he can do on this earth, and has given up on making the situation better.
Hester believes that he has already redeemed himself, but Dimmesdale is awaited
God's judgement.

67. Why does Hester reveal the truth of Chillingworth's identity? How does
Dimmesdale react? What is your reaction to his reaction?
Hester only kept Chillingworth's identity a secret to ensure the safety of her and
Dimmesdale. However, her plan becomes compromised when Chillingworth
discovers that Dimmesdale is Pearl's father. With her secret providing no
protection, she feels that she is a key factor in Dimmesdale's downfall. Feeling this
guilt, she attempts to compensate her mistake by making Dimmesdale aware of
Chillingworth's true identity. Dimmesdale acts only mildly stunned, insisting that
he should have known based on Chillingworth's naturally evil presence.
Personally, I view this as hindsight. Only after the truth is revealed does he take
responsibility of his knowledge. Admittedly, he may have known Chillingworth
was not as pure as he appeared. But with Dimmesdale's health diminishing and
fragile mental state, I doubt he had an inclination that Chillingworth was Hester's
husband. I give Dimmesdale very little credit for he claim of "should have known".
He allowed Chillingworth to be his caretaker, despite the bad vibe he gave off.
Therefore, Dimmesdale brings this upon himself and should own up to his
mistakes.

68. As Hester and Dimmesdale discuss "what to do" to escape Chillingworth,

what does their conversation reveal about the nature of their relationship? How
is each character strong or weak? In what way does each need the other?
The two have a unique relationship. Hester is more adventurous and brave, while
Dimmesdale is more reserved and timid. She spontaneously suggests that they
run away to a safer, new location. Dimmesdale admits that he is too weak to take
this journey and he doesn't want to leave. He would rather stay and help fellow
townspeople than leave. This shows that Hester may lack in logistical planning,
but courageously welcomes new challenges. Dimmesdale claims he would rather
stay to help others, but this only seems to mask his inability to cope. He cannot
and will not embrace new challenges for he has already accepted defeat. Hester
needs Dimmesdale as a friend. She has isolated herself from the community, with
the help of the scarlet letter. He is the only person that knows the whole truth
and can understand her. She is able to express her true concerns and emotions
around him. Dimmesdale needs Hester as an outlet. He can complain to her about
his agony and express his inner distress. Doing so with anybody else could
compromise his secret. The two need each other as companions who share a
similar past.
Chapter 18
69. In the second paragraph of chapter 18, the narrator uses the phrase "a
moral wilderness." What is this intended to describe? What differing views
would the Puritan society and the narrator take regarding this "wilderness"? In
what sense are Hester and Dimmesdale caught in between these two views?
The narrator describes Hester's internal thoughts as a moral wilderness. This
explains that Hester doesn't conform to typical Puritan beliefs. Instead, she thinks
freely and expressively. The narrator further explains that her mind and heart
were at home in uninhabited places. This emphasizes Hester's unrestricted
thinking. The Puritans would most likely assume this "wilderness" as wild, unruly,
and evil. The narrator would think of this wilderness much more forgiving, most
likely the right to free beliefs. Hester and Dimmesdale have ventured beyond the
Puritan belief of sinless citizens. They have sinned and considered running away.
Their free spirit mirrors this moral wilderness that Puritans don't usually
understand. They are still, however, persuaded by the same motives as the
Puritan life. Hester and Dimmesdale accept that they have sinned. Had they truly
been completely free against Puritan-like thinking, they may have assumed
adultery to be a choice from free will and therefore not a sin. They, especially
Dimmesdale, are still guided by Puritan society, yet they frequently find
themselves pushing the limits.

70. How does "Nature" react when Hester removes the Scarlet Letter? What is
the significance of this in light of Pearl's statement in chapter 16 that "the
sunshine does not love" Hester? What thematic message is solidified in this
moment? (You might consider the statement in this same paragraph that
"Love...must always create a sunshine.")
When Hester removes the scarlet letter, the forest seems to open up to allow
ample sunlight to shine through. With the sinful representation of the letter gone,
it was as if nature unraveled itself and reveals life. The light, often symbolizing
truth, shines bright throughout the forest. It illuminates the forest and gives it
vibrant, lively aspects. When Pearl stated that the sunshine doesn't love Hester,
she implies that the light alludes her due to the letter. With the absence of the
letter, the light welcomes Hester and Dimmesdale. The light embodies truth and
purity. With no physical marking of sin, the light can shine down on what appears
to be a pure Hester. The removal of the letter sparks light to shine down,
symbolizing truth and purity.
Chapter 19
71. Why is Pearl unable to share her mother's joy over the Scarlet Letter's
removal? Why does she insist that Hester put the Scarlet Letter on again? Why
does she reject Dimmesdale's kiss?
When Hester called Pearl back to rejoin her parents, Pearl reacted negatively. She
noticed that Hester had removed the scarlet letter and it was laying on the
ground. Pearl was able to see the closeness that Hester shared with Dimmesdale.
It was as if another figure had taken Pearl's role in Hester's life. She interpreted
Dimmesdale as an invader of Hester and Pearl's relationship. The scarlet letter
was Pearl's way of remember her mother. It had been such a focal point and a
topic of interest for her. The fact that her mother removed the letter at the same
time Dimmesdale came into the picture shows Pearl that Dimmesdale was
somehow affiliated with the removal of the letter. She's saddened by both
Dimmesdale's presence and the removal of the letter. Pearl wants Hester to put
on the letter again because to return Hester back to the same image that Pearl
remembered her by. Hester interpreted this as Pearl wishing she carry out her
sentence longer. Hester agreed and put the letter back int place. Pearl rejects
Dimmesdale's kiss because she hasn't warmed up to his presence yet. She knows
that Hester thinks fondly of him and that doesn't sit well with Pearl. Pearl most go
through her own acceptance of Dimmesdale as a part of her life before she shows
that kind of affection towards him.
Chapter 20
72. What is meant by the phrase "duplicity of impression"? How does this
phrase apply to Dimmesdale's own self-perception, and how does the narrator
suggest that this duplicity might be a tragic flaw?
That phrase is meant to describe Dimmesdale's complicated views of the event
that just went down. This phrase occurs as Dimmesdale's walking back from
meeting with Hester. He had wondered if he had been dreaming, but to clear his
mind he reminded himself of their plan to escape to England. Dimmesdale
believes that he is a changed man after this meeting and the narrator agrees.
Dimmesdale is rather enthusiastic and excited, but the narrator notes that this
has led to altered behavior. He is more aware of the temptations as the next
question describes and this could lead to his downfall.

73. What four temptations does Dimmesdale face on his way home? What does
Dimmesdale assume is the source of these temptations? What alternate
explanation does the narrator offer? What further explanations for
Dimmesdale's "temptation" might be apparent to a modern reader?
On his way home, Dimmesdale faces the desires to: shout things at an elderly
deacon, discuss life versus death with an old woman, take advantage of a young
woman, and taint the vocabulary of young children. These are all sinful
temptations that haven't crossed the minister's mind before as far as the reader
knows. Dimmesdale believes that these temptations were caused by selling his
soul to the Devil or interacting with the Devil. The narrator notes that his behavior
is similar to that of Mistress Hibbins. The narrator describes Dimmesdale's
thoughts as being hectic and crazy. Modern readers might assume these thoughts
stemmed from a sleep deprevation and self-imposed emotional turmoil.

74. What does Mistress Hibbins perceive when she meets Dimmesdale? When
contrasted against Hester's meeting with Mistress Hibbins at the end of chapter
8, how does Dimmesdale's response to her further our understanding of the
contrast between the two lovers?
Mistress Hibbins assumes that Dimmesdale met the Devil in the woods. She
claims his erratic behavior indicates interaction with the Devil. Dimmesdale lies to
Mistress Hibbins and tells her he went to meet the Apostle Elliot. He also plays
dumb and claims that he doesn't understand the accusations that the woman
made. Hester rejected Mistress Hibbins' invitation by claiming that Pearl was a
source of purity in Hester's life. Dimmesdale rejects Hibbins' by lying and
assuming that he will always be pure and never taint himself with sin from the
devil. This shows that Hester confronts her problems with more dignity than
Dimmesdale who hides behind lies.

75. Why does Dimmesdale rewrite his Election Sermon?

Dimmesdale rewrites his Election Sermon after talking with Chillingworth.
Dimmesdale, claiming to be a new man, rejects further help from Chillingworth in
a tense conversation. Chillingworth does his typical fake friendly dialogue,
attempting to ease the minister but only causing him confusion. After
Chillingworth leaves, Dimmesdale begins to rewrite the sermon rapidly. It's
almost as though his mind was churning out sentences but his hand was unable to
keep up. He rewrote it to reflect his new personality change and the conversation
with Chillingworth. The narrator says the new writing contains more emotion and
inspiring text. This is likely to reflect the recent events in Dimmesdale's life.
Chapter 21
76. To what degree and for what reason is Hester isolated from Puritan
community during the Holiday? How does Pearl act as a foil to Hester's
condition in this scene? According to the narrator, how is this apparent contrast
the result of an underlying connection between mother and daughter?
During the Puritan holiday, many people gather in the streets dressed rather well
for the governor's inauguration. Hester remains in her dull grey attire to avoid
getting any unwanted attention. The only noticeable thing was the scarlet letter,
which seemed to create an invisible force field around her. People would crowd
and circle around her, but nobody would get too close. Pearl is dressed in
brighter, playful attire. This matches her enthusiastic and youthful personality.
Hester, trying not to stick out in the crowd, is accompanied her daughter who
welcomes the attention. The narrator says that Pearl is similar to the letter. Both
the scarlet letter and Pearl attract attention for their obscure beauty and unique
presence.

77. How do the sailors present at this celebration illustrate the "incomplete
morality of the age"?
The sailor's are well respected despite the crimes they have committed.
Everybody is aware that they've most likely stolen their goods, but they don't
speak of it.In fact, when sailor's landed, they were very well respected. It was as if
the courage they had to commit these crimes at sea rewarded them with respect
on land. The narrator notes that today they would be hanged. The narrator was
highlighting the mixed signals. Hester, who committed adultery and faced long
term punishment, is treated worse than pirates who have a living based off of
crime.

78. What bad news does Hester receive from the ship's captain? How might this
news suggest an impending tragedy to the reader?
The ship's captain alarms Hester that Chillingworth will be on the ship as well.
Chillingworth had spoken to the captain and requested that he be a part of
Hester's party, for he knew both Dimmesdale and Hester very well. This news sets
up the stage for future conflict. Hester and Dimmesdale had planned to escape
and find a new life. However, with Chillingworth on board, the smooth transition
to peace seems impossible. Chillingworth acts as a catalyst for conflict. He
despises Dimmesdale and is determined to bring him down.
Chapter 22
79. What Puritan values are revealed by the procession that parades toward the
church? What makes someone admirable in this culture?
The procession revealed several formal looking men and extravagant details. The
music was described as terrible, but satisfying simply due to the loud intimidating
noise. Puritans seemed to enjoy formality, regardless of whether it was fake or
exaggerated. They also enjoyed power in any form. Loud music, military presence,
and strict orderliness show this trait. A man with knowledge, power, and
confidence would be admired in this culture.

80. How has Dimmesdale's appearance changed? In what way does he appear
separate from the crowd and how does this affect Hester? How does this also
foreshadow a possible tragedy?
Dimmesdale walked with confidence and a natural rhythm. A spectator would not
recognize the diminishing health of the minister based on his appearance.
However, he appears very distant. It was as if his body was there, but his mind
was not. This separates him from the crowd. He's merely going through the
motions, unaware of the situations around him. It pains Hester to see him so
distant. She's offended by his lack of even a glance in her direction. He's able to
walk right past her without any acknowledgement. The disconnect between the
two foreshadow's tragedy. They were so connected in the forest and now they
appear to be strangers. The extreme switch could potentially lead to conflict.

81. What forbidden question does Pearl ask when she sees Dimmesdale? What
important symbolic contrast is highlighted by Hester's response?
Pearl asks Hester if Dimmesdale was the same man that they saw in the woods.
She is aware of the similarity, but she also notices the absence of his spirit. Hester
quickly tries to hush Pearl up. She reacts almost annoyed and angrily. She tells
Pearl to not speak of things that happened in the forest in the marketplace. Pearl,
who represents blunt honesty and truth, is contrasted by Hester who hides the
truth in hopes of benefiting either herself or a loved one. Pearl has always been
one to speak the truth without a filter. Hester, however, decides whether
information can be beneficial or detrimental to a person. Based on the conclusion
drawn from that, she decides whether it'd help to hide the secret or not. For
example, she tried to keep both Chillingworth and Dimmesdale's identity a secret.
When this still protected neither, she felt the need to confess. In the conversation
with Pearl, Hester refuses to speak of Dimmesdale's presence at the forest for it
could negatively impact both Dimmesdale and herself.

82. Why does Mistress Hibbins reproach Hester with "fie, woman, fie!"?
Mistress Hibbins approaches Hester about being in the forest with Dimmesdale.
Hester plays ignorant and denies Mistress Hibbins' accusations. However,
Mistress Hibbins claims that she knows the forest better than anybody due to her
witchcraft taking place there. Hester claims that it is not her place to discuss
Dimmesdale's actions. Mistress Hibbins responds with this quote. This indicates
that Mistress Hibbins doesn't believe Hester and assumes something odd is going
on with Dimmesdale and Hester.
Chapter 23
83. How does Hawthorne further develop the symbolic importance of the
scaffold during Dimmesdale's sermon?
While Dimmesdale is giving his speech, Hester is standing by the scaffold, bearing
the scarlet letter on her bosom. By detailing this scene, the narrator shows a high
contrast by two similarly bound together by sin. Dimmesdale, just as guilty as
Hester, is being loved and praised for his sermon while Hester remains excluded
from the crowd. With Hester standing by the scaffold, she helps build the
symbolic meaning of the scaffold. The scaffold has provided a place where sin is
revealed. While she stands there, it sets up the next scene of Dimmesdale's
confession. He approaches Hester and Pearl and eventually admits to his
involvement in the sin.

84. What did Dimmesdale's sermon foretell for the Puritan people? How do the
people react to this message? How does the narrator draw further attention to
the growing separation between Hester and Dimmesdale?
Dimmesdale claims that the Puritan people will be accepted and chosen by God.
The people are highly moved by this sermon and even claim that it was one of
Dimmesdale's best. There was slight evidence of sadness in his sermon. This raw
emotion further intensified the power of the sermon. The narrator explains that it
was as if Dimmesdale was possessed by a Holy Spirit or was on the verge of
transitioning to one himself. The narrator seemed to emphasize that Dimmesdale
was not himself, or at least not the person that Hester knew. Dimmesdale is being
praised by the community for his holiness when truly, is no more holy than
Hester. Yet, Hester is still being ostracized by the town.

85. Describe and analyze the significance of each of the main characters'
reactions to Dimmesdale's confession. How is each one changed by his
confession?
Hester is both shocked and confused by this confession. When asked by
Dimmesdale if this was not better than hiding in the forest, she exclaims, "I know
not!" She offers him support and doesn't discourage his actions, implying that she
wants what's best for him. She knows that it's a personal boundary he must
overcome and she can neither do anything to make it better or worse. She does
ask if they will spend the remaining portion of their lives together. He states that
it's up to God the severity of future punishment he will receive. Chillingworth is in
disbelief that Dimmesdale would confess. He remarks that the scaffold was the
one place that Dimmesdale could escape his grasp. Chillingworth has spent years
building the trust and power in their relationship. When Dimmesdale confesses,
Dimmesdale takes back the control. This was not apart of Chillingworth's plan,
and therefore, troubles him. Pearl reacts warmly to Dimmesdale. She appreciates
Dimmesdale's confession. She had known he was hiding something all along, she
just wasn't sure what exactly that was. Now that he has finally been able to
muster the courage as he's dying, Pearl finds it in her heart to show emotion. She
cries a bit and repays the kiss she wiped away in the forest. Dimmesdale is clearly
relieved at the revelation. He feels that pressure has been removed now that's
he's brought the truth into the light.

86. What are Dimmesdale's last words? Is there anything significant about these
words or situation in which they are spoken?
Dimmesdale's last words were, "By bringing me hither, to die this death of
triumphant ignominy before the people! Had either of these agonies been
wanting, I had been lost for ever! Praised be his name! His will be done!
Farewell!" This shows that Dimmesdale, despite spending several years in agony,
still accepts and praises God. He argues that without these inner demons, he
would've ended up a mess. Personally, I find it ironic that he attributes these
claims to God when it was his personal doing. He forced the constant reminders
on himself through the self-torturing techniques and friendship with
Chillingworth. Dimmesdale is still pointing the blame on somebody other than
himself. Even in time of confession, he cannot take responsibility for his own
misery.
Chapter 24
87. Summarize the concluding chapter in terms of character development and
final thoughts offered by the narrator.
The narrator begins the chapter reflecting on Dimmesdale's death and the
reactions from the town. Nobody could agree on the exact events of the
confession. Many witnessed the symbol on his chest while others flat out denied
it. Some argued that the letter on his chest was placed there by his agony while
others attributed it to his own hand. The general confusion of what happened
explains how powerful the minister was. Though solid proof was given that he
committed sin, it still could not be agreed upon in the general public. The narrator
then moves to Chillingworth. Chillingworth has "wilted" with nothing to work
towards. He dies within a year of Dimmesdale. Describing his death, the narrator
notes the relationship between love and hatred. He notes that the two opposites
are strangely similar. When Chillingworth died, the narrator wondered if the
hatred between the two could morph into love. Hester and Pearl have parted
ways. Hester left, but then returned to her simply village home just outside of the
hectic town. It's decorated very well, indicating that somebody was still looking
after her. It is assumed that Pearl left and is sending her mother fancy gifts
presumably funded by her husband. Of course these are only theories, for nobody
has directly seen or heard from Pearl. Hester remains a helpful person in society,
providing counseling for problems. Eventually, Hester dies and is buried next to
Dimmesdale, but separated enough to distinguish the individuals. The quote, "On
a field, sable, the letter A, gules." is written on the tombstone they share.

UNCLE TOM’S CABIN

THEMES
The Evil of Slavery

Uncle Tom’s Cabin was written after the passage of the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850,
which made it illegal for anyone in the United States to offer aid or assistance to a
runaway slave. The novel seeks to attack this law and the institution it protected,
ceaselessly advocating the immediate emancipation of the slaves and freedom for all
people. Each of Stowe’s scenes, while serving to further character and plot, also
serves, without exception, to persuade the reader—especially the Northern reader
of Stowe’s time—that slavery is evil, un-Christian, and intolerable in a civil society.

For most of the novel, Stowe explores the question of slavery in a fairly mild setting,
in which slaves and masters have seemingly positive relationships. At the Shelbys’
house, and again at the St. Clares’, the slaves have kindly masters who do not abuse
or mistreat them. Stowe does not offer these settings in order to show slavery’s evil
as conditional. She seeks to expose the vices of slavery even in its best-case scenario.
Though Shelby and St. Clare possess kindness and intelligence, their ability to
tolerate slavery renders them hypocritical and morally weak. Even under kind
masters, slaves suffer, as we see when a financially struggling Shelby guiltily destroys
Tom’s family by selling Tom, and when the fiercely selfish Marie, by demanding
attention be given to herself, prevents the St. Clare slaves from mourning the death
of her own angelic daughter, Eva. A common contemporary defense of slavery
claimed that the institution benefited the slaves because most masters acted in their
slaves’ best interest. Stowe refutes this argument with her biting portrayals, insisting
that the slave’s best interest can lie only in obtaining freedom.

In the final third of the book, Stowe leaves behind the pleasant veneer of life at the
Shelby and St. Clare houses and takes her reader into the Legree plantation, where
the evil of slavery appears in its most naked and hideous form. This harsh and
barbaric setting, in which slaves suffer beatings, sexual abuse, and even murder,
introduces the power of shock into Stowe’s argument. If slavery is wrong in the best
of cases, in the worst of cases it is nightmarish and inhuman. In the book’s structural
progression between “pleasant” and hellish plantations, we can detect Stowe’s
rhetorical methods. First she deflates the defense of the pro-slavery reader by
showing the evil of the “best” kind of slavery. She then presents her own case
against slavery by showing the shocking wickedness of slavery at its worst.

The Incompatibility of Slavery & Christian Values

Writing for a predominantly religious, predominantly Protestant audience, Stowe

takes great pains to illustrate the fact that the system of slavery and the moral code
of Christianity oppose each other. No Christian, she insists, should be able to tolerate
slavery. Throughout the novel, the more religious a character is, the more he or she
objects to slavery. Eva, the most morally perfect white character in the novel, fails to
understand why anyone would see a difference between blacks and whites. In
contrast, the morally revolting, nonreligious Legree practices slavery almost as a
policy of deliberate blasphemy and evil. Christianity, in Stowe’s novel, rests on a
principle of universal love. If all people were to put this principle into practice, Stowe
insists, it would be impossible for one segment of humanity to oppress and enslave
another. Thus, not only are Christianity and slavery incompatible, but Christianity can
actually be used to fight slavery.

The slave hunter Tom Loker learns this lesson after his life is spared by the slaves he
tried to capture, and after being healed by the generous-hearted and deeply
religious Quakers. He becomes a changed man. Moreover, Uncle Tom ultimately
triumphs over slavery in his adherence to Christ’s command to “love thine enemy.”
He refuses to compromise his Christian faith in the face of the many trials he
undergoes at Legree’s plantation. When he is beaten to death by Legree and his
men, he dies forgiving them. In this way, Tom becomes a Christian martyr, a model
for the behavior of both whites and blacks. The story of his life both exposes the evil
of slavery—its incompatibility with Christian virtue—and points the way to its
transformation through Christian love.

The Moral Power of Women

Although Stowe wrote Uncle Tom’s Cabin before the widespread growth of the
women’s rights movement of the late 1800s, the reader can nevertheless regard the
book as a specimen of early feminism. The text portrays women as morally
conscientious, committed, and courageous—indeed, often as more morally
conscientious, committed, and courageous than men. Stowe implies a parallel
between the oppression of blacks and the oppression of women, yet she expresses
hope for the oppressed in her presentation of women as effectively influencing their
husbands. Moreover, she shows how this show of strength by one oppressed group
can help to alleviate the oppression of the other. White women can use their
influence to convince their husbands—the people with voting rights—of the evil of
slavery.
Throughout the novel, the reader sees many examples of idealized womanhood, of
perfect mothers and wives who attempt to find salvation for their morally inferior
husbands or sons. Examples include Mrs. Bird, St. Clare’s mother, Legree’s mother,
and, to a lesser extent, Mrs. Shelby. The text also portrays black women in a very
positive light. Black women generally prove strong, brave, and capable, as seen
especially in the character of Eliza. In the cases where women do not act morally—
such as Prue in her drunkenness or Cassy with her infanticide, the women’s sins are
presented as illustrating slavery’s evil influence rather than the women’s own
immorality. Not all women appear as bolsters to the book’s moral code: Marie acts
petty and mean, and Ophelia begins the novel with many prejudices. Nonetheless,
the book seems to argue the existence of a natural female sense of good and evil,
pointing to an inherent moral wisdom in the gender as a whole and encouraging the
use of this wisdom as a force for social change.

MOTIFS
Christ Figures

As befits its religious preoccupation, the novel presents two instances of a sacrificial
death linked to Christ’s. Eva and Tom, the two most morally perfect characters in the
novel, both die in atmospheres of charged religious belief, and both die, in a sense,
to achieve salvation for others. Eva’s death leads to St. Clare’s deathbed conversion
to Christianity and to Ophelia’s recognition and denunciation of her own racial
prejudice. Tom’s death leads to Emmeline and Cassy’s escape and to the freedom of
all the slaves on the Shelby farm in Kentucky. Both Tom and Eva are explicitly
compared to Christ: Ophelia says that Eva resembles Jesus, and the narrator depicts
Tom carrying his cross behind Jesus. This motif of Christ-like sacrifice and death
enables Stowe to underscore her basic point about Christian goodness while holding
up models of moral perfection for her reader to emulate. It also enables her to
create the emotionally charged, sentimental death scenes popular in nineteenth-
century literature.

The Supernatural

Several supernatural instances of divine intervention in the novel suggest that a

higher order exists to oppose slavery. For instance, when Eliza leaps over the Ohio
river, jumping rapidly between blocks of ice without fear or pain, the text tells us
that she has been endowed with a “strength such as God gives only to the
desperate,” facilitating her escape from oppression. Similarly, when Tom’s faith
begins to lapse at the Legree plantation, he is visited by religious visions that restore
it, thus sustaining him in his passive resistance of Legree. Before Eva dies, she
glimpses a view of heaven and experiences a miraculous presentiment of her own
death; these occurrences reinforce Eva’s purity and add moral authority to her anti-
slavery stance.

Instances of supernaturalism thus support various characters in their efforts to resist

or fight slavery. But they also serve to thwart other characters in their efforts to
practice slavery. Thus, as Legree pursues his oppression of Tom, he has an upsetting
vision of his dead mother and becomes temporarily paralyzed by an apparition of a
ghost in the fog. The fear caused by this apparition weakens Legree to the point that
Cassy and Emmeline can trick him into believing that ghosts haunt the garret. This
ploy enables them to escape.
SYMBOLS
Uncle Tom’s Cabin

Near the end of the book, after George Shelby frees his slaves, he tells them that,
when they look at Uncle Tom’s cabin, they should remember their freedom and
dedicate themselves to leading a Christian life like Uncle Tom’s. The sight of Uncle
Tom’s cabin on George Shelby’s property serves as a persistent reminder to him of
the sufferings Tom experienced as a slave. The cabin also becomes a metaphor for
Uncle Tom’s willingness to be beaten and even killed rather than harm or betray his
fellow slaves—his willingness to suffer and die rather than go against Christian values
of love and loyalty. The image of the cabin thus neatly encapsulates the main themes
of the book, signifying both the destructive power of slavery and the ability of
Christian love to overcome it.
Eliza’s Leap

The scene of Eliza’s leap across the half-frozen Ohio river constitutes the most
famous episode in Uncle Tom’s Cabin. The scene also serves as an important
metaphor. The leap from the southern to the northern bank of the river symbolizes
in one dramatic moment the process of leaving slavery for freedom. Indeed, Eliza’s
leap from one bank to the next literally constitutes a leap from the slave-holding
states to the non-slave-holding states, as the Ohio River served as the legally
recognized divide between South and North. The dangers Eliza faces in her leap, and
the courage she requires to execute it successfully, represent the more general
instances of peril and heroism involved in any slave’s journey to freedom.
Geography

Uncle Tom’s Cabin uses the North to represent freedom and the South to represent
slavery and oppression. Obviously the opposition is rooted in history. However,
Stowe embellishes the opposition so as to transform it from literal to literary. Two
main stories dominate the novel—the story of Eliza and George and the story of
Uncle Tom. One story serves as an escape narrative, chronicling Eliza and George’s
flight to freedom. The other story is a slavery narrative, chronicling Uncle Tom’s
descent into increasingly worse states of oppression. Not surprisingly, the action in
the escape narrative moves increasingly northward, with Canada representing its
endpoint and the attainment of freedom by the escaped slaves. The action in the
slavery narrative moves increasingly southward, with Tom’s death occurring on
Legree’s plantation in rural Louisiana, far into the Deep South. This geographical split
represents the wide gulf between freedom and slavery and plays into Stowe’s
general use of parallelism and contrast in making her political points.

CHARACTERS
Aunt Chloe - Uncle Tom’s wife and the Shelbys’ cook. Chloe often acts like a jovial
simpleton around the Shelbys to mask her more complex feelings.

Arthur Shelby - The owner of Uncle Tom in Kentucky, Shelby sells Tom to the cruel Mr.
Haley to pay off his debts. An educated, kind, and basically good-hearted man, Shelby
nonetheless tolerates and perpetuates slavery. Stowe uses him to illustrate that the
immorality inherent in slavery makes villains of all its practitioners—not just the most
cruel masters.

Emily Shelby - Mr. Shelby’s wife, Emily Shelby is a loving, Christian woman who does not
believe in slavery. She uses her influence with her husband to try to help the Shelbys’
slaves and is one of the novel’s many morally virtuous and insightful female characters.

George Shelby - Called “Mas’r George” by Uncle Tom, George is the Shelbys’ good-
hearted son. He loves Tom and promises to rescue him from the cruelty into which his
father sold him. After Tom dies, he resolves to free all the slaves on the family farm in
Kentucky. More morally committed than his father, George not only possesses a kind
heart but acts on his principles.

George Harris - Eliza’s husband and an intellectually curious and talented mulatto,
George loves his family deeply and willingly fights for his freedom. He confronts the
slave hunter Tom Loker and does not hesitate to shoot him when he imperils the family.

Eliza Harris - Mrs. Shelby’s maid, George’s wife, and Harry’s mother, Eliza is an
intelligent, beautiful, and brave young slave. After Mr. Shelby makes known his plans to
sell Eliza’s son to Mr. Haley, she proves the force of her motherly love as well as her
strength of spirit by making a spectacular escape. Her crossing of the Ohio River on
patches of ice is the novel’s most famous scene.

Harry Harris - Eliza and George’s son, a young boy.

Augustine St. Clare - Tom’s master in New Orleans and Eva’s father, St. Clare is a flighty
and romantic man, dedicated to pleasure. St. Clare does not believe in God, and he
carouses and drinks every night. Although he dotes on his daughter and treats his slaves
with compassion, St. Clare shares the hypocrisy of Mr. Shelby in that he sees the evil of
slavery but nonetheless tolerates and practices it.

Eva - St. Clare and Marie’s angelic daughter. Eva, also referred to in the book as Little
Eva (her given name is Evangeline) is presented as an absolutely perfect child—a
completely moral being and an unimpeachable Christian. She laments the existence of
slavery and sees no difference between blacks and whites. After befriending Tom while
still a young girl, Eva becomes one of the most important figures in his life. In death, Eva
becomes one of the text’s central Christ figures.

Miss Ophelia - St. Clare’s cousin from the North (Vermont) who comes to help him
manage the household, Ophelia opposes slavery in the abstract. However, she finds
actual slaves somewhat distasteful and harbors considerable prejudice against them.
After Eva’s death, and through her relationship with Topsy, Ophelia realizes her failings
and learns to see slaves as human beings. Stowe hoped that much of her Northern
audience might recognize themselves in Ophelia and reconsider their views on slavery.

Marie - St. Clare’s wife, a self-centered woman. Petty, whining, and foolish, she is the
very opposite of the idealized woman figure that appears repeatedly throughout the
novel.

The Quakers - The Quakers, a Christian group that arose in mid-seventeenth-century

England, dedicated themselves to achieving an inner understanding of God, without the
use of creeds, clergy, or outward rites. The Quakers have a long history of contributing
to social reform and peace efforts. In Uncle Tom’s Cabin, many Quaker characters
appear who help George and Eliza, as well as many other slaves. Stowe uses them to
portray a Christianity free of hypocrisy, self-righteous display, or bigoted conventions.
This kind of Christianity, she implies, can play a crucial role in the abolition of slavery.

Senator and Mrs. Bird - Mrs. Bird is another example of the virtuous woman. She tries
to exert influence through her husband. Senator Bird exemplifies the well-meaning man
who is sympathetic to the abolitionist cause but who nonetheless remains complacent
or resigned to the status quo.

Tom Loker - A slave hunter hired by Mr. Haley to bring back Eliza, Harry, and George,
Tom Loker first appears as a gruff, violent man. George shoots him when he tries to
capture them, and, after he is healed by the Quakers, Loker experiences a
transformation and chooses to join the Quakers rather than return to his old life.
Mr. Haley - The slave trader who buys Uncle Tom and Harry from Mr. Shelby. A gruff,
coarse man, Haley presents himself as a kind individual who treats his slaves well. Haley,
however, mistreats his slaves, often violently.

Topsy - A wild and uncivilized slave girl whom Miss Ophelia tries to reform, Topsy
gradually learns to love and respect others by following the example of Eva..

Cassy - Legree’s (slave) mistress and Eliza’s mother, Cassy proves a proud and intelligent
woman and devises a clever way to escape Legree’s plantation.

Emmeline - A young and beautiful slave girl whom Legree buys for himself, perhaps to
replace Cassy as his mistress. She has been raised as a pious Christian.

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer

Plot: An imaginative and mischievous boy named Tom Sawyer lives with his Aunt
Polly and his half-brother, Sid, in the Mississippi River town of St. Petersburg,
Missouri. After playing hooky from school on Friday and dirtying his clothes in a fight,
Tom is made to whitewash the fence as punishment on Saturday. At first, Tom is
disappointed by having to forfeit his day off. However, he soon cleverly persuades
his friends to trade him small treasures for the privilege of doing his work. He trades
these treasures for tickets given out in Sunday school for memorizing Bible verses
and uses the tickets to claim a Bible as a prize. He loses much of his glory, however,
when, in response to a question to show off his knowledge, he incorrectly answers
that the first two disciples were David and Goliath.
Tom falls in love with Becky Thatcher, a new girl in town, and persuades her to get
“engaged” to him. Their romance collapses when she learns that Tom has been
“engaged” before—to a girl named Amy Lawrence. Shortly after being shunned by
Becky, Tom accompanies Huckleberry Finn, the son of the town drunk, to the
graveyard at night to try out a “cure” for warts. At the graveyard, they witness the
murder of young Dr. Robinson by the Native-American “half-breed” Injun Joe.
Scared, Tom and Huck run away and swear a blood oath not to tell anyone what they
have seen. Injun Joe blames his companion, Muff Potter, a hapless drunk, for the
crime. Potter is wrongfully arrested, and Tom’s anxiety and guilt begin to grow.
Tom, Huck, and Tom’s friend Joe Harper run away to an island to become pirates.
While frolicking around and enjoying their newfound freedom, the boys become
aware that the community is sounding the river for their bodies. Tom sneaks back
home one night to observe the commotion. After a brief moment of remorse at the
suffering of his loved ones, Tom is struck by the idea of appearing at his funeral and
surprising everyone. He persuades Joe and Huck to do the same. Their return is met
with great rejoicing, and they become the envy and admiration of all their friends.
Back in school, Tom gets himself back in Becky’s favor after he nobly accepts the
blame for a book that she has ripped. Soon Muff Potter’s trial begins, and Tom,
overcome by guilt, testifies against Injun Joe. Potter is acquitted, but Injun Joe flees
the courtroom through a window. Summer arrives, and Tom and Huck go hunting for
buried treasure in a haunted house. After venturing upstairs they hear a noise below.
Peering through holes in the floor, they see Injun Joe enter the house disguised as a
deaf and mute Spaniard. He and his companion, an unkempt man, plan to bury some
stolen treasure of their own. From their hiding spot, Tom and Huck wriggle with
delight at the prospect of digging it up. By an amazing coincidence, Injun Joe and his
partner find a buried box of gold themselves. When they see Tom and Huck’s tools,
they become suspicious that someone is sharing their hiding place and carry the gold
off instead of reburying it. Huck begins to shadow Injun Joe every night, watching for
an opportunity to nab the gold. Meanwhile, Tom goes on a picnic to McDougal’s
Cave with Becky and their classmates. That same night, Huck sees Injun Joe and his
partner making off with a box. He follows and overhears their plans to attack the
Widow Douglas, a kind resident of St. Petersburg. By running to fetch help, Huck
forestalls the violence and becomes an anonymous hero. Tom and Becky get lost in
the cave, and their absence is not discovered until the following morning. The men of
the town begin to search for them, but to no avail. Tom and Becky run out of food
and candles and begin to weaken. The horror of the situation increases when Tom,
looking for a way out of the cave, happens upon Injun Joe, who is using the cave as a
hideout. Eventually, just as the searchers are giving up, Tom finds a way out. The
town celebrates, and Becky’s father, Judge Thatcher, locks up the cave. Injun Joe,
trapped inside, starves to death. A week later, Tom takes Huck to the cave and they
find the box of gold, the proceeds of which are invested for them. The Widow
Douglas adopts Huck, and, when Huck attempts to escape civilized life, Tom
promises him that if he returns to the widow, he can join Tom’s robber band.
Reluctantly, Huck agrees.

Chapter 2: On Saturday morning, Aunt Polly sends Tom out to whitewash the fence.
Jim passes by, and Tom tries to get him to do some of the whitewashing in return for
a “white alley,” a kind of marble. Jim almost agrees, but Aunt Polly appears and
chases him off, leaving Tom alone with his labor. A little while later, Ben Rogers,
another boy Tom’s age, walks by. Tom convinces Ben that whitewashing a fence is
great pleasure, and after some bargaining, Ben agrees to give Tom his apple in
exchange for the privilege of working on the fence. Over the course of the day, every
boy who passes ends up staying to whitewash, and each one gives Tom something in
exchange. By the time the fence has three coats, Tom has collected a hoard of
miscellaneous treasures. Tom muses that all it takes to make someone want
something is to make that thing hard to get.

TOM SAWYER: When the novel begins, Tom is a mischievous child who envies Huck
Finn’s lazy lifestyle and freedom. As Tom’s adventures proceed, however, critical
moments show Tom moving away from his childhood concerns and making mature,
responsible decisions. These moments include Tom’s testimony at Muff Potter’s trial,
his saving of Becky from punishment, and his heroic navigation out of the cave. By
the end of the novel, Tom is coaxing Huck into staying at the Widow Douglas’s,
urging his friend to accept tight collars, Sunday school, and good table manners. He
is no longer a disobedient character undermining the adult order, but a defender of
respectability and responsibility. In the end, growing up for Tom means embracing
social custom and sacrificing the freedoms of childhood. Yet Tom’s development isn’t
totally coherent. The novel jumps back and forth among several narrative strands:
Tom’s general misbehavior, which climaxes in the Jackson’s Island adventure; his
courtship of Becky, which culminates in his acceptance of blame for the book that
she rips; and his struggle with Injun Joe, which ends with Tom and Huck’s discovery
of the treasure. Because of the picaresque, or episodic, nature of the plot, Tom’s
character can seem inconsistent, as it varies depending upon his situation. Tom is a
paradoxical figure in some respects—for example, he has no determinate age.
Sometimes Tom shows the naïveté of a smaller child, with his interest in make-
believe and superstitions. On the other hand, Tom’s romantic interest in Becky and
his fascination with Huck’s smoking and drinking seem more the concerns of an
adolescent. Whether or not a single course of development characterizes Tom’s
adventures, a single character trait—Tom’s unflagging energy and thirst for
adventure—propels the novel from episode to episode. Disobedient though he may
be, Tom ends up as St. Petersburg’s hero. As the town gossips say, “[Tom] would be
President, yet, if he escaped hanging.”

HUCKLEBERRY FINN: In Huckleberry Finn, Mark Twain created a character who

exemplifies freedom within, and from, American society. Huck lives on the margins
of society because, as the son of the town drunk, he is pretty much an orphan. He
sleeps where he pleases, provided that nobody chases him off, and he eats when he
pleases, provided that he can find a morsel. No one requires him to attend school or
church, bathe, or dress respectably. It is understandable, if not expected, that Huck
smokes and swears. Years of having to fend for himself have invested Huck with a
solid common sense and a practical competence that complement Tom’s dreamy
idealism and fantastical approach to reality (Tom creates worlds for himself that are
based on those in stories he has read). But Huck does have two traits in common
with Tom: a zest for adventure and a belief in superstition.
Through Huck, Twain weighs the costs and benefits of living in a society against those
of living independently of society. For most of the novel, adult society disapproves of
Huck, but because Twain renders Huck such a likable boy, the adults’ disapproval of
Huck generally alienates us from them and not from Huck himself. After Huck saves
the Widow Douglas and gets rich, the scale tips in the direction of living in society.
But Huck, unlike Tom, isn’t convinced that the exchange of freedom for stability is
worth it. He has little use for the money he has found and is quite devoted to his
rough, independent lifestyle. When the novel ends, Huck, like Tom, is still a work in
progress, and we aren’t sure whether the Widow Douglas’s attempts to civilize him
will succeed .

THE ADVENTURES OF HUCLEBERRY FINN

PLOT: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn opens by familiarizing us with the events
of the novel that preceded it, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. Both novels are set in
the town of St. Petersburg, Missouri, which lies on the banks of the Mississippi River.
At the end of Tom Sawyer, Huckleberry Finn, a poor boy with a drunken bum for a
father, and his friend Tom Sawyer, a middle-class boy with an imagination too active
for his own good, found a robber’s stash of gold. As a result of his adventure, Huck
gained quite a bit of money, which the bank held for him in trust. Huck was adopted
by the Widow Douglas, a kind but stifling woman who lives with her sister, the self-
righteous Miss Watson.
As Huckleberry Finn opens, Huck is none too thrilled with his new life of cleanliness,
manners, church, and school. However, he sticks it out at the bequest of Tom
Sawyer, who tells him that in order to take part in Tom’s new “robbers’ gang,” Huck
must stay “respectable.” All is well and good until Huck’s brutish, drunken father,
Pap, reappears in town and demands Huck’s money. The local judge, Judge Thatcher,
and the Widow try to get legal custody of Huck, but another well-intentioned new
judge in town believes in the rights of Huck’s natural father and even takes the old
drunk into his own home in an attempt to reform him. This effort fails miserably, and
Pap soon returns to his old ways. He hangs around town for several months,
harassing his son, who in the meantime has learned to read and to tolerate the
Widow’s attempts to improve him. Finally, outraged when the Widow Douglas warns
him to stay away from her house, Pap kidnaps Huck and holds him in a cabin across
the river from St. Petersburg.
Whenever Pap goes out, he locks Huck in the cabin, and when he returns home
drunk, he beats the boy. Tired of his confinement and fearing the beatings will
worsen, Huck escapes from Pap by faking his own death, killing a pig and spreading
its blood all over the cabin. Hiding on Jackson’s Island in the middle of the Mississippi
River, Huck watches the townspeople search the river for his body. After a few days
on the island, he encounters Jim, one of Miss Watson’s slaves. Jim has run away from
Miss Watson after hearing her talk about selling him to a plantation down the river,
where he would be treated horribly and separated from his wife and children. Huck
and Jim team up, despite Huck’s uncertainty about the legality or morality of helping
a runaway slave. While they camp out on the island, a great storm causes the
Mississippi to flood. Huck and Jim spy a log raft and a house floating past the island.
They capture the raft and loot the house, finding in it the body of a man who has
been shot. Jim refuses to let Huck see the dead man’s face.
Although the island is blissful, Huck and Jim are forced to leave after Huck learns
from a woman onshore that her husband has seen smoke coming from the island
and believes that Jim is hiding out there. Huck also learns that a reward has been
offered for Jim’s capture. Huck and Jim start downriver on the raft, intending to
leave it at the mouth of the Ohio River and proceed up that river by steamboat to
the free states, where slavery is prohibited. Several days’ travel takes them past St.
Louis, and they have a close encounter with a gang of robbers on a wrecked
steamboat. They manage to escape with the robbers’ loot.
During a night of thick fog, Huck and Jim miss the mouth of the Ohio and encounter a
group of men looking for escaped slaves. Huck has a brief moral crisis about
concealing stolen “property”—Jim, after all, belongs to Miss Watson—but then lies
to the men and tells them that his father is on the raft suffering from smallpox.
Terrified of the disease, the men give Huck money and hurry away. Unable to
backtrack to the mouth of the Ohio, Huck and Jim continue downriver. The next
night, a steamboat slams into their raft, and Huck and Jim are separated. Huck ends
up in the home of the kindly Grangerfords, a family of Southern aristocrats locked in
a bitter and silly feud with a neighboring clan, the Shepherdsons. The elopement of a
Grangerford daughter with a Shepherdson son leads to a gun battle in which many in
the families are killed. While Huck is caught up in the feud, Jim shows up with the
repaired raft. Huck hurries to Jim’s hiding place, and they take off down the river. A
few days later, Huck and Jim rescue a pair of men who are being pursued by armed
bandits. The men, clearly con artists, claim to be a displaced English duke (the duke)
and the long-lost heir to the French throne (the dauphin). Powerless to tell two white
adults to leave, Huck and Jim continue down the river with the pair of “aristocrats.”
The duke and the dauphin pull several scams in the small towns along the river.
Coming into one town, they hear the story of a man, Peter Wilks, who has recently
died and left much of his inheritance to his two brothers, who should be arriving
from England any day. The duke and the dauphin enter the town pretending to be
Wilks’s brothers. Wilks’s three nieces welcome the con men and quickly set about
liquidating the estate. A few townspeople become skeptical, and Huck, who grows to
admire the Wilks sisters, decides to thwart the scam. He steals the dead Peter
Wilks’s gold from the duke and the dauphin but is forced to stash it in Wilks’s coffin.
Huck then reveals all to the eldest Wilks sister, Mary Jane. Huck’s plan for exposing
the duke and the dauphin is about to unfold when Wilks’s real brothers arrive from
England. The angry townspeople hold both sets of Wilks claimants, and the duke and
the dauphin just barely escape in the ensuing confusion. Fortunately for the sisters,
the gold is found. Unfortunately for Huck and Jim, the duke and the dauphin make it
back to the raft just as Huck and Jim are pushing off. After a few more small scams,
the duke and dauphin commit their worst crime yet: they sell Jim to a local farmer,
telling him Jim is a runaway for whom a large reward is being offered. Huck finds out
where Jim is being held and resolves to free him. At the house where Jim is a
prisoner, a woman greets Huck excitedly and calls him “Tom.” As Huck quickly
discovers, the people holding Jim are none other than Tom Sawyer’s aunt and uncle,
Silas and Sally Phelps. The Phelpses mistake Huck for Tom, who is due to arrive for a
visit, and Huck goes along with their mistake. He intercepts Tom between the Phelps
house and the steamboat dock, and Tom pretends to be his own younger brother,
Sid. Tom hatches a wild plan to free Jim, adding all sorts of unnecessary obstacles
even though Jim is only lightly secured. Huck is sure Tom’s plan will get them all
killed, but he complies nonetheless. After a seeming eternity of pointless
preparation, during which the boys ransack the Phelps’s house and make Aunt Sally
miserable, they put the plan into action. Jim is freed, but a pursuer shoots Tom in the
leg. Huck is forced to get a doctor, and Jim sacrifices his freedom to nurse Tom. All
are returned to the Phelps’s house, where Jim ends up back in chains. When Tom
wakes the next morning, he reveals that Jim has actually been a free man all along,
as Miss Watson, who made a provision in her will to free Jim, died two months
earlier. Tom had planned the entire escape idea all as a game and had intended to
pay Jim for his troubles. Tom’s Aunt Polly then shows up, identifying “Tom” and “Sid”
as Huck and Tom. Jim tells Huck, who fears for his future—particularly that his father
might reappear—that the body they found on the floating house off Jackson’s Island
had been Pap’s. Aunt Sally then steps in and offers to adopt Huck, but Huck, who has
had enough “sivilizing,” announces his plan to set out for the West.

TOM: Tom is the same age as Huck and his best friend. Whereas Huck’s birth and
upbringing have left him in poverty and on the margins of society, Tom has been
raised in relative comfort. As a result, his beliefs are an unfortunate combination of
what he has learned from the adults around him and the fanciful notions he has
gleaned from reading romance and adventure novels. Tom believes in sticking strictly
to “rules,” most of which have more to do with style than with morality or anyone’s
welfare. Tom is thus the perfect foil for Huck: his rigid adherence to rules and
precepts contrasts with Huck’s tendency to question authority and think for himself.
Although Tom’s escapades are often funny, they also show just how disturbingly and
unthinkingly cruel society can be. Tom knows all along that Miss Watson has died
and that Jim is now a free man, yet he is willing to allow Jim to remain a captive
while he entertains himself with fantastic escape plans. Tom’s plotting tortures not
only Jim, but Aunt Sally and Uncle Silas as well. In the end, although he is just a boy
like Huck and is appealing in his zest for adventure and his unconscious wittiness,
Tom embodies what a young, well-to-do white man is raised to become in the
society of his time: self-centered with dominion over all.

HUCK: From the beginning of the novel, Twain makes it clear that Huck is a boy who
comes from the lowest levels of white society. His father is a drunk and a ruffian who
disappears for months on end. Huck himself is dirty and frequently homeless.
Although the Widow Douglas attempts to “reform” Huck, he resists her attempts and
maintains his independent ways. The community has failed to protect him from his
father, and though the Widow finally gives Huck some of the schooling and religious
training that he had missed, he has not been indoctrinated with social values in the
same way a middle-class boy like Tom Sawyer has been. Huck’s distance from
mainstream society makes him skeptical of the world around him and the ideas it
passes on to him.
Huck’s instinctual distrust and his experiences as he travels down the river force him
to question the things society has taught him. According to the law, Jim is Miss
Watson’s property, but according to Huck’s sense of logic and fairness, it seems
“right” to help Jim. Huck’s natural intelligence and his willingness to think through a
situation on its own merits lead him to some conclusions that are correct in their
context but that would shock white society. For example, Huck discovers, when he
and Jim meet a group of slave-hunters, that telling a lie is sometimes the right course
of action.
Because Huck is a child, the world seems new to him. Everything he encounters is an
occasion for thought. Because of his background, however, he does more than just
apply the rules that he has been taught—he creates his own rules. Yet Huck is not
some kind of independent moral genius. He must still struggle with some of the
preconceptions about blacks that society has ingrained in him, and at the end of the
novel, he shows himself all too willing to follow Tom Sawyer’s lead. But even these
failures are part of what makes Huck appealing and sympathetic. He is only a boy,
after all, and therefore fallible. Imperfect as he is, Huck represents what anyone is
capable of becoming: a thinking, feeling human being rather than a mere cog in the
machine of society.