The Scarlet Letter- End Discussion
Now that we gave finished reading excerpts from The Scarlet Letter, please take some time to reflect on the following questions.
Now that we gave finished reading excerpts from The Scarlet Letter, please take some time to reflect on the following questions.
- The narrator writes, “Be true! Be true! Be true! Show freely to the world, if not your worst, yet some trait whereby the worst may be inferred!” (Hawthorne 177). If as readers we are to take this as the moral of the story, explain how it is fitting. Make at least three connections to the novel and make a personal connection as well. (What does the quote mean to you personally?
- What happens to Roger Chillingworth? Has he done anything to redeem himself? Pretend you are a defense attorney. Argue a case for Chilingworth…try to persuade a jury to take pity upon him. Use specifics from the novel to support your response.
- Finally, spend some time thinking about Hester. Critics have hailed her as the first literary heroine in American literature. How do you feel about this, and why? (Reread the bottom of page 179 and page 180 to help in your understanding). Where does Hester end up at the end of the novel? Do you think it odd? Explain. Finally, what about the last line? Explain how you understand the quote.
- What happens to each of the four main players??