The Scarlet Letter

The questions inside

One per chapter, across all 24 chapters — every question is editable before you print.

1. Chapter 1: The story begins near a prison door with a wild rosebush beside it. How do these two details make the setting feel, and what might they suggest about the town?
2. Chapter 2: When Hester stands on the scaffold, what do you learn about her from the way she acts in front of the crowd?
3. Chapter 3: A stranger in the crowd asks questions about Hester. What clues make him seem important to the story?
4. Chapter 4: Chillingworth visits Hester in prison and asks her to keep his identity secret. Why do you think he wants this secret kept, and what problems might it cause later?
5. Chapter 5: Hester chooses to stay in the same town instead of leaving. What does this choice show about her character?
6. Chapter 6: Pearl is described as both beautiful and difficult to guide. How does Pearl make Hester's life harder and also more meaningful?
7. Chapter 7: Hester and Pearl visit the governor's house. How do Pearl's bright clothes and the fancy house show a difference between Hester's family and the leaders of the town?
8. Chapter 8: Hester has to argue that she should be allowed to keep Pearl. What reasons does she give, and what do they show about her as a mother?
9. Chapter 9: Chillingworth becomes close to Reverend Dimmesdale so he can study him. How is Chillingworth changing, and why might that change be dangerous?
10. Chapter 10: Chillingworth keeps trying to discover Dimmesdale's secret pain. Why can digging into someone else's secrets become harmful?
11. Chapter 11: Dimmesdale is loved by the townspeople, but he feels terrible inside. Why might a person hide pain from others, and how can that make the pain worse?
12. Chapter 12: Dimmesdale stands on the scaffold at night instead of in the daytime. How is private bravery different from public bravery in this chapter?
13. Chapter 13: Over time, many people begin to see Hester differently. What actions help change the community's opinion of her?
14. Chapter 14: Hester notices that Chillingworth has become harsh and revengeful. How has revenge changed him?
15. Chapter 15: Hester thinks about Chillingworth, and Pearl asks about the scarlet letter. What does this chapter show about honesty and secrets?
16. Chapter 16: Hester and Pearl walk into the forest to meet Dimmesdale. How does the forest make the story feel different from the town?
17. Chapter 17: Hester finally tells Dimmesdale the truth about Chillingworth. How does Dimmesdale react, and what choice do they begin to consider?
18. Chapter 18: Hester and Dimmesdale plan to leave together, and Hester takes off the scarlet letter. Why does this moment feel hopeful, and what worries still remain?
19. Chapter 19: Pearl refuses to come to Hester until Hester puts the scarlet letter back on. What do you think Pearl understands about the letter and her mother?
20. Chapter 20: After leaving the forest, Dimmesdale feels changed and confused. Why might making a big decision make a person feel both excited and troubled?
21. Chapter 21: On Election Day, Hester sees a busy, cheerful crowd, but she also hears troubling news. How do her hopes change during this chapter?
22. Chapter 22: Dimmesdale gives a powerful sermon while Hester watches from the crowd. What is the difference between what the townspeople see and what Hester knows?
23. Chapter 23: Dimmesdale finally stands with Hester and Pearl in front of everyone. Why is telling the truth in public so important in this chapter?
24. Chapter 24: Looking back at the whole story, what lesson do you think the book teaches about kindness, guilt, and forgiveness?

Example answers

Printed at the front of the booklet, so your reader can see what a strong answer looks like.

Chapter 6: Pearl is described as both beautiful and difficult to guide. How does Pearl make Hester's life harder and also more meaningful?

I think Pearl makes Hester's life harder because she is wild, curious, and not easy to control. People also judge Hester more because Pearl reminds them of the scarlet letter. But Pearl also gives Hester someone to love and care for every day. To me, Pearl helps Hester keep going when she feels lonely.

Chapter 12: Dimmesdale stands on the scaffold at night instead of in the daytime. How is private bravery different from public bravery in this chapter?

Private bravery is when Dimmesdale goes to the scaffold at night, even though almost no one sees him. He is trying to face his guilt, but he is still afraid to tell the whole town. Public bravery would mean speaking the truth when everyone is watching. I think this chapter shows that Dimmesdale wants to be brave, but he is not fully ready yet.

Chapter 24: Looking back at the whole story, what lesson do you think the book teaches about kindness, guilt, and forgiveness?

I think the book teaches that guilt can hurt people when they keep it hidden for too long. It also shows that judging others harshly can make their lives even harder. Hester becomes stronger because she keeps helping people, even when they are unkind to her. I think the story wants readers to be more forgiving and kinder to people who have made mistakes.