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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.
Short Answer Questions
1. What color is the thread that embroiders the scarlet letter?
2. Where was Hester's "happy infancy and stainless maidenhood?"
3. Which character is described as having a "wildflower prettiness?"
4. The title of Chapter 4, "The Interview," refers to the meeting between which two characters?
5. Where does Chillingworth take up residence?
Short Essay Questions
1. How does Hawthorne describe the inhabitants of Boston?
2. Describe the clothing worn by the "throng of bearded men" at the beginning of Chapter 1.
3. What is Dimmesdale's argument for keeping Hester and Pearl together?
4. Of all the finery in the governor's mansion, what does Pearl cry for most of all?
5. Why is "The Leech" an appropriate and significant name for this chapter?
6. Describe the door to the jail.
7. Describe the people referred to as the five in the following quotation: "If the hussy stood for judgment before us five, that are now here in a knot together"?
8. What are some examples of Chillingworth's growing power over Dimmesdale?
9. What is Hawthorne's emotional state in the preface?
10. What does Hawthorne find alongside the scarlet letter?
Essay Topics
Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:
Essay Topic 1
Hester Prynne is a single mother in Puritan New England. Explain and analyze the way Hawthorne characterizes her, using specific examples of his technique, as well as the way he dramatizes her psychology. Be sure to consider the choices Hester makes/is forced to make throughout the novel. Is Hester a strong character or a weak one? What do you think of the way she has conducted herself? Back up your arguments with specific textual examples.
Essay Topic 2
Some critics might characterize parts of this work as feminist, particularly considering the role of Hester Prynne vis-a-vis her interactions with Governor Bellingham and the other public officials who want to take Pearl away from her. Argue this point in an analytical essay: does this particular sequence in the novel represent a feminist approach to custody? Decide whether you think so or not, and construct a well-reasoned argument that makes use of specific textual examples. (Note: there is no "right" answer: you can argue yes, no or maybe, as long as you construct a textual argument with specific and precise reasoning.)
Essay Topic 3
Despite the dark tone and dour mood of this novel, Hawthorne's narrative voice does offer some levity, irony and humor to lighten the mood at key points in this novel, including the irony in some of the chapter titles. Pick several examples of this irony, other forms of irony, archness/humor, and explain how these examples help lighten the mood.
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This section contains 861 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) |
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