Nathaniel Hawthorne "The Scarlet Letter"

Introduction

Great stories are full of complex emotions and convincing characters, but examination questions will require you to demonstrate your understanding of “The Scarlet Letter” by focusing on how Hawthorne presents one key aspect or theme throughout the text. All of your thoughts and ideas should only refer to the key term of the essay title.

Hester

The experience of Hester Prynne, as presented in “The Scarlet Letter”, has no relevance to the twenty-first century reader.
The twenty-first century reader is always on the side of Hester Prynne.
In “The Scarlet Letter”, Hester Prynne’s actions do not shock us to the same extent that they shocked their first readers.
Modern readers may consider Hester Prynne’s role in “The Scarlet Letter” as a statement about the status of women in society.
In “The Scarlet Letter”, Hawthorne is clearly on the side of Hester Prynne.
“The Scarlet Letter” is little more than a criticism of attitudes towards women.
“The Scarlet Letter” can be viewed as a Feminist novel.
Hester Prynne fails to live up to the responsibilities of seventeenth-century woman in New England.
Hester Prynne can be seen as the first great modern heroine of American Literature.
Hester Prynne’s silent suffering in “The Scarlet Letter” is not heroic.
In many ways, Hawthorne condones the adultery of Hester Prynne.

Dimmesdale

Arthur Dimmesdale is the only character in the novel who can be considered a hero.
Arthur Dimmesdale is the central character of “The Scarlet Letter”.
In many ways, Hawthorne condones the adultery of Arthur Dimmesdale.
Hawthorne positions the reader to sympathise with Dimmesdale’s plight.

Chillingworth

Roger Chillingworth is the character who undergoes the most change in “The Scarlet Letter”.
In many ways, Hawthorne presents Roger Chillingworth as the moral degenerate in “The Scarlet Letter”.
Roger Chillingworth is the true villain of “The Scarlet Letter”.
In “The Scarlet Letter”, Chillingworth represents true evil.

Pearl

Pearl functions as a symbol in the novel and nothing else.

Religion

“The Scarlet Letter” presents an entirely negative view of Puritan religion in New England.
“The Scarlet Letter” is really a novel of religious criticism and protest.
“The Scarlet Letter” is Hawthorne’s attempt to distance himself from his Puritan ancestors.
“The Scarlet Letter” is a criticism of religion.
In “The Scarlet Letter”, Hawthorne presents a clash between the Puritan faith and human nature.

Genre and Style

Hawthorne’s “The Scarlet Letter” is little more than an allegory.
“The Scarlet Letter” is a symbolist novel.
Hawthorne’s “The Scarlet Letter” is nothing more than a Romance.
“The Scarlet Letter” can be read as a psychological novel.
Hawthorne uses a participating narrator to shape the reader’s response.
In many ways, the scarlet letter is one of the most distinctive characters in the novel.