Assignment: The Scarlet Letter

1. As with the scarlet letter, Pearl functions as a source of salvation as well as a form of continual suffering for Hester. Her personality, as well the source of her birth, certainly reminds Hester of her sin and its consequences. Yet, Pearl is of great value to Hester. In a well-constructed response, explain the duality of Pearl.

2. Hawthorne once again establishes the dual nature of Pearl as a comfort and companion to Hester, while also serving as a constant reminder of her sin and the consequence of a broken law. Explain how in chapters 7-9, how Pearl represents a living emblem of the scarlet letter and how Hester and Dimmesdale assert her positive influence on Hester and her spiritual wellbeing.

3. After Dimmesdale abruptly ends their conversation concerning his health, Chillingworth reflects: "Is it better to have made this step.....? There is nothing lost. We shall be friends again anon. But, see now how passion takes hold upon this man and hurrieth him out of himself? As with one passion, so with another! He hath done a wild thing erenow, this pious Master Dimmesdale, in the hot passion of his heart!" What about Dimmesdale's character is Chillingworth suggesting, and in terms of Dimmesdale's spiritual state, how does this "passion" he speaks of give evidence to Chillingworth's suspicion? What other details are provided in these chapters that hint at the source of Dimmesdale's guilt and poor health?