Chapter 4
1. Why doesn't Hester condemn Roger Chillingworth by revealing his name? Is there something in it for her if she doesn't reveal his name?
2. Chillingworth says, "from the moment when we came down the old church-steps together, a married pair, I might have beheld the bale-fire of that scarlet letter blazing at the end of our path." (67). Why did he say this? Does he claim that he should have seen this because of Hester or because of him?
Chapter 5
1. After Hester gets out of jail, she has the option to leave town and escape much of the shame that comes along with wearing a scarlet letter. She chooses not to leave because "the chain that bound her here was of iron links, and galling to her inmost soul, but never could be broken" (72). Why is this "chain" so strong? Does it have anything to do with the father of her child and his location?
2. Does Hester wish the other sinners in the Puritan society were publicly shamed for their sins?
Chapter 6
1. At the beginning of the chapter, the author brings the reader closer by starting off with "we". Why does Hawthorne choose this moment to pull the reader in another step?
2. Pearl is described as "her mother's only treasure" (80). Does this suggest that Hester is happy that Pearl was born?
Chapter 7
1. When Hester looks in the suit of armor and sees that the scarlet letter makes up most of the reflection, why is she so horrified by this? Is this how other people see her (figuratively)?
2. To go to the Governor's Mansion, Hester puts Pearl in a crimson tunic. Did Hester do this to connect their fates? Was she unaware of the connection between her letter and the tunic?
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