Who Was the Protagonist in the Scarlet Letter
Scarlet Letter Essay Questions---CHOOSE ONE QUESTION TO ANSWER
Please read the following questions carefully, choose one of the questions, think about it and meticulously organize a clear response that includes an effective thesis statement and evidence for support. Your response should be in the form of a five paragraph essay.
1) If Hester and Dimmesdale had the same “teachers” (Shame, Despair, Solitude), why didn’t they learn the same lesson?
2) The life-changing event happens to Hester when she is in the forest away from her community. What do you think this says about the role of community in the outcome of her life?
3) What is Pearl’s function in the story and how does Hawthorne make this evident to the reader?
4) Why did Hawthorne write this novel and how does he use irony to portray his point?
5) Why did Hawthorne write this novel and how does he use symbolism to portray his point?
6) “Pearl kissed his lips. A spell was broken. The great scene of grief, in which the wild infant bore a part, had developed all her sympathies; and as her tears fell upon her father's cheek, they were the pledge that she would grow up amid human joy and sorrow, nor for ever do battle with the world, but be a woman in it.” What is the “spell” that was broken?
7) What was Hawthorne’s purpose for writing this novel and what tools did he use to relay that message to the reader?
8) What is one theme from the novel and how does Hawthorne develop that theme throughout the story?
9) This novel revolves around a strong central female character. Readers may consider her role as a statement about the status of women. What was the status of Puritan women as reflected in The Scarlet Letter and what was the changing status of mid-19th century women, the period in which the novel was written?
10) Some critics say that Hester Prynne was the first American heroine. Others, however, say that her somewhat silent suffering isn’t
Please read the following questions carefully, choose one of the questions, think about it and meticulously organize a clear response that includes an effective thesis statement and evidence for support. Your response should be in the form of a five paragraph essay.
1) If Hester and Dimmesdale had the same “teachers” (Shame, Despair, Solitude), why didn’t they learn the same lesson?
2) The life-changing event happens to Hester when she is in the forest away from her community. What do you think this says about the role of community in the outcome of her life?
3) What is Pearl’s function in the story and how does Hawthorne make this evident to the reader?
4) Why did Hawthorne write this novel and how does he use irony to portray his point?
5) Why did Hawthorne write this novel and how does he use symbolism to portray his point?
6) “Pearl kissed his lips. A spell was broken. The great scene of grief, in which the wild infant bore a part, had developed all her sympathies; and as her tears fell upon her father's cheek, they were the pledge that she would grow up amid human joy and sorrow, nor for ever do battle with the world, but be a woman in it.” What is the “spell” that was broken?
7) What was Hawthorne’s purpose for writing this novel and what tools did he use to relay that message to the reader?
8) What is one theme from the novel and how does Hawthorne develop that theme throughout the story?
9) This novel revolves around a strong central female character. Readers may consider her role as a statement about the status of women. What was the status of Puritan women as reflected in The Scarlet Letter and what was the changing status of mid-19th century women, the period in which the novel was written?
10) Some critics say that Hester Prynne was the first American heroine. Others, however, say that her somewhat silent suffering isn’t