The Scarlet Letter Practice Test

These questions are part of the practice quiz. Start practicing

• What does Dimmesdale mean by his line about Pearl's face reflecting his own features?
• Which statement best describes the townspeople's description of Pearl?
• The master of the ship tells Hester that Chillingworth will do what?
• What prior reference in Chapter 2 foreshadows the presence of this man?
• Which group is described as interpreting Dimmesdale's conduct as an act with a moral purpose?
• Which event demonstrates Dimmesdale's inner turmoil most clearly?
• Which statement best summarizes the description of Puritan women?
• Hester's transformation is signaled by which image?
• Why are Hester and Pearl out at midnight?
• How are the Scarlet Letter and Pearl alike?
• What foreshadows Hester's transformation?
• What revelation is she going to make to Reverend Dimmesdale?
• Describe the Puritan women using a quoted description from the text.
• Why is Pearl upset when her mother calls her?
• What does Dimmesdale mean by describing their sin as violating 'our reverence for each other's soul'?
• Where have Hester and Dimmesdale decided to go when they leave Boston? Europe rather than New World?
• The A on Hester's bodice is described as which of the following?
• What mark does Dimmesdale bear on his chest as a sign of his guilt?
• How much time has elapsed since the opening scene?
• In Hester's final lines, which symbol is introduced to represent Chillingworth?
• Which sentence from the chapter associates Chillingworth with evil?
• Why does Dimmesdale think it's fortunate that the ship won't depart for four days?
• What new identity has Chillingworth assumed in Boston? Why is he successful?
• What is a vigil?
• Where do Hester and Dimmesdale intend to go to begin anew?
• How has Hester's appearance changed over the years?
• Name one reason Hester does not leave the colony?
• Which best describes the moral consequence of Dimmesdale and Hester's sin as implied in the text?
• What investigation consumes Chillingworth?
• How do the poor, the ladies of Boston, the clergy, and the children treat Hester?
• Name three crimes and the punishments that the Puritans might witness.
• What two possible symbols does the rose have for the reader?
• What is Dimmesdale's reaction to the truth?
• Which consequence does Dimmesdale fear if he confesses his sin?
• Mistress Hibbens mentions a "yonder potenate you wot of" to whom is she referring?
• What explanation do Dimmesdale's friends offer for Election Day to make him seem blameless?
• Who excommunicated Anne Hutchinson from the Puritan church?
• How does Pearl react when Dimmesdale calls Hester and Pearl to mount the scaffold with him?
• What questions does Pearl ask her mother? Why does this trouble Hester?
• The forest setting for truth-telling is chosen because it offers what?
• In the Governor's house scene, which of the following is NOT listed as a visitor?
• How is Hester Prynne's home described?
• Dimmesdale's action in urging Hester to keep Pearl demonstrates which trait?
• How old is Pearl in this chapter [13]?
• What is astonishing about the "A" on Hester's bodice?
• Where did the doctor learn his skill?
• Pearl's reaction to Dimmesdale? How is Pearl a symbol for Hester and Dimmesdale?
• Why are Hester and Pearl seen outside at midnight in this chapter?
• How has Chillingworth changed since Hester last saw him?
• Hester is not allowed to sew which type of garments?
• What unwelcome news does the master of the ship have for Hester?
• Which of the following is a reason Hester stays?
• Where does Hester stand during the procession and Dimmesdale's sermon in the church?
• Election Day pageantry is described as a pale imitation of which English ceremony?
• What does Hester resolve to do?
• Which statement best describes the reason for Dimmesdale's posture after the sermon?
• How are Hester's dress and Pearl's dress described?
• Where does Hester plan to meet Dimmesdale? Why?
• What is Hester's sin, and what punishments did she face?
• What punishments would the Puritan women have given Hester Prynne if it were left to them?
• Quote a line that directly associates Chillingworth with the devil.
• What promise does Dimmesdale refuse to make to Pearl?
• According to the text, where is the one place Dimmesdale could have escaped Chillingworth?
• What term describes Hester's status among the colonists?
• What is Dimmesdale's "secret poison his malignity, infecting all air about him"?
• Why does Pearl think the minister holds his hand over his heart? How is there symbolic truth in what she says?
• Which literary device is used in the description of Chillingworth with the red glare and beast imagery?
• Which memories does Hester recall while on the scaffold?
• Near the forest? How is Pearl's wildness explained?
• What discovery does Chillingworth make when Dimmesdale falls into a deep sleep?
• What gesture has become Dimmesdale's habit?
• What action shows Hester's charitable nature?
• Who is identified as the father of Hester's baby?
• What is the purpose of Dimmesdale's conduct on Election Day according to his friends?
• What is Pearl's relationship to Hester?
• What general symbol has Hester become?
• Who is Anne Hutchinson, and how does Hawthorne feel about her?
• To whom in the colony does Chillingworth attach himself as a medical adviser?
• How many years have passed since Chillingworth began his guarded, ominous appearance?
• What emblem marks Hester's sin?
• The scaffold is located in which area of town?
• How does Dimmesdale appear as he leaves the church after his triumphant sermon?
• What does the Scarlet Letter mean to Pearl?
• Why is Hester taken to the scaffold in the market-place?
• Who pleads successfully for Hester to keep her child?
• Read Hester's description of Chillingworth carefully. How does she feel about him?
• In the scene with Hester and Pearl bathed in sunlight, what does the sunlight symbolize?
• Which detail suggests the baby was born in jail?
• How has Rev. Dimmesdale changed since Hester's public humiliation?
• Who bears the scarlet letter?
• When Dimmesdale invites them to mount the scaffold, what is Pearl's reaction?
• What does the scarlet letter come to symbolize in the townspeople's view?
• How does Reverend Dimmesdale's guilt affect his popularity in the colony?
• Which action signals that the stranger recognizes Hester and wants silence?
• What colony is the setting of the novel?
• Which symbol is used to symbolize the devil?
• Dimmesdale's posture changes from upright to stooped after the sermon; what is suggested as the cause?
• Which statement best describes the community's perception of Dimmesdale's public persona given these events?
• Why does John Wilson question Pearl?
• Does Hester still love Dimmesdale? Quote a line.
• Name 2 reasons Hester visits Governor Bellingham
• Which Chapter 2 reference foreshadows the man standing outside the crowd?
• Name another reason Hester does not leave the colony?
• Which character is identified as the source of Dimmesdale's suffering and illness, as seen by Hester?
• By the end of the described events, how would you describe the relationship between Chillingworth and Dimmesdale?
• Which of the following was NOT a conjecture about the scarlet letter's origin?
• Why does sunlight shine on Pearl and not on Hester?
• Did Hester ever love her husband?
• What is the sunshine a symbol of?
• What story has Pearl heard about the Black Man?
• Of what English ceremony is Election Day pageantry a pale imitation?
• How does Hester become acquainted with the ship's captain currently in port?
• What is Chillingworth's primary occupation in the colony?
• What is miraculous about the meteor?
• What future plans does Hester suggest to Dimmesdale as a way to escape Chillingworth?
• Why is the chapter called 'A Flood of Sunshine'?
• How has Dimmesdale's secret sin affected his life? Quote a line.
• Which object serves as the central stage for the described public appearance?
• What is Hester's ultimate plan with Dimmesdale?
• What does Hester think about while on the scaffold?
• How is Chillingworth's approach to Dimmesdale best described?
• Why should Hester's marriage be considered a failure?
• What double meaning does the rose hold for readers?
• Which character's actions are described as motivated by vengeance against the minister?
• Where in the colony does the opening chapter take place?
• Whose eyes are described as having a red light, signaling a sharp moral implication?
• Which group is described as preaching sin about Hester?
• What does the scaffold function as in the narrative context?
• How has Chillingworth changed in the past 7 years?
• Pearl's affectionate reaction to Dimmesdale indicates which of the following?
• Which statement about Pearl's social treatment is supported by the text?
• Which aspect of Hester Prynne's punishment is described as a public spectacle?
• What does Hester do to symbolize putting the past behind them?
• What secret does Chillingworth believe lies buried in Dimmesdale's heart?
• Who is Chillingworth's main suspect and victim?
• During the procession, which describes Dimmesdale's appearance?
• On which day do Dimmesdale's friends interpret his actions as a moral lesson about sin?
• What talent does Hester use to support herself and Pearl?
• Describe Dimmesdale's health during this period.
• What is the relationship between Chillingworth and Hester?
• What is Dimmesdale's decision in response to Hester's plea that they leave the colony? Quote a line.
• With what creatures of fantasy is Pearl continually compared?
• Which statement about Dimmesdale's health is true after the humiliation?
• What secret does Chillingworth ask Hester to keep?
• In the parishioners' conjectures, which figure is accused of using dark arts to affect Dimmesdale?
• What gesture does the man make to Hester that suggests he knows her?
• What effect has Chillingworth had on Dimmesdale? Quote a line.
• What does Hester want Chillingworth to do?
• How has the townspeople's view changed toward Hester?
• To which visitor does Pearl respond to lovingly?
• From what does Hester hope to save Dimmesdale by telling him the truth about Chillingworth?
• For what two practical necessities did the new colony set aside land?
• Why would Dimmesdale live with guilt and not confess his sin openly?
• What have crowds gathered in the market-place to witness?
• What does Chillingworth vow to discover?
• Which practices does Dimmesdale begin as a result of his guilt?
• What is particularly noticeable about Dimmesdale's demeanor as he walks in the procession?
• Who is described as the core sinner in the minister's realization after the truth?
• Which figure is described as symbolizing evil?
• What is the emotional atmosphere as the sun shines on them?
• How old is Hester's baby?
• Where does Dimmesdale hold his vigil?
• What does Hester mean when she says 'Once in my life, I met the Black Man. This scarlet letter is his mark'?
• Which action does Chillingworth intend to pursue as part of his vow?
• What is the 'magic touch' that causes Hester's transformation when she throws down the scarlet letter?
• What special knowledge does the Scarlet Letter give Hester?
• How is the man standing on the outskirts described?
• Which statement best describes Pearl's wildness as depicted in the forest?
• Which statement best describes the town's view of Hester's public acts despite her charity?
• What is the relationship between religion and law in Puritan New England?
• Which man is the physician in the story who becomes Hester's husband?
• Who are the other visitors at the Governor's house?
• What is the color of the scarlet letter?
• What is a leech and what double meaning does the word have in this context?
• Quote a line that shows Chillingworth as a symbol of evil.
• What does the townsman next to the stranger learn about Hester?
• What item did Hester deliver to Governor Bellingham during the visit?
• Why does Chillingworth desperately try to stop Dimmesdale from confessing his sins on the scaffold?