The Scarlet LetterThe Scarlet LetterA Literary AnalysisA Literary Analysis

Wuerth, Allyson. “From the Prison Door: A Unit on Wuerth, Allyson. “From the Prison Door: A Unit on The Scarlet LetterThe Scarlet Letter. Nov. . Nov. 2008. October 2008 2008. October 2008

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The Prison DoorThe Prison Door

►What does it look like?What does it look like?►What may be the intention of the iron What may be the intention of the iron

spikes?spikes?►Where might doors that look like this Where might doors that look like this

otherwise be found?otherwise be found?► Is the door most likely keeping people Is the door most likely keeping people

out or keeping people locked in?out or keeping people locked in?►What may this door foreshadow as we What may this door foreshadow as we

continue to read?continue to read?

““The founders of a new colony, The founders of a new colony, whatever Utopia…” p. 45whatever Utopia…” p. 45

► establishes the tone of the narratorestablishes the tone of the narrator► Is it possible that the narrator marks the Is it possible that the narrator marks the

Puritans as hypocrites? Why or why not?Puritans as hypocrites? Why or why not?► Is it possible that the narrator would like Is it possible that the narrator would like

readers to adopt his interpretation of the readers to adopt his interpretation of the events he is about to relate?events he is about to relate?

► J: Why do the Puritans allot a portion of land J: Why do the Puritans allot a portion of land for a cemetery and a portion for a prison? for a cemetery and a portion for a prison? What does this tell us about their values and What does this tell us about their values and expectations?expectations?

““But on one side of the portal, But on one side of the portal, and rooted almost…” p. 46and rooted almost…” p. 46

►What is the significance of the red rose bush What is the significance of the red rose bush that grows at the prison door?that grows at the prison door?

► Compare and contrast a wild rose bush with Compare and contrast a wild rose bush with the door to the prison.the door to the prison.

►Does this foreshadow a conflict between Does this foreshadow a conflict between man and nature?man and nature?

► Could the “fragile beauty” of the rose be Could the “fragile beauty” of the rose be meant as a symbol for human life, the meant as a symbol for human life, the fragile beauty of it? Could this rose be fragile beauty of it? Could this rose be meant to illuminate the strength of meant to illuminate the strength of humanity in the face of temptation, humanity in the face of temptation, persecution, and despair?persecution, and despair?

““Finding it so directly on the Finding it so directly on the threshold of our narrative…” p. threshold of our narrative…” p.

4646►Could this novel be a doorway, an Could this novel be a doorway, an

entrance? If so, to where?entrance? If so, to where?► Is the reader meant to be a prisoner of Is the reader meant to be a prisoner of

the narrative? Why?the narrative? Why?►Could the narrator be suggesting the Could the narrator be suggesting the

reader enter the prison and read the reader enter the prison and read the novel from that place? If so, are we novel from that place? If so, are we prisoners? Prisoners of what?prisoners? Prisoners of what?

A Plucked RoseA Plucked Rose

As an experiment, As an experiment,

I present to you a I present to you a plucked rose. Over plucked rose. Over the course of our the course of our discussions, we’ll discussions, we’ll see what happens see what happens

to your thorny gift. to your thorny gift.

Chapters 2 and 5Chapters 2 and 5

► Compare Compare The Marketplace The Marketplace andand Hester with Hester with her Needleher Needle

► explore the use of symbol and themeexplore the use of symbol and theme What may the marketplace symbolize in the What may the marketplace symbolize in the

narrative?narrative? Explore the following themes:Explore the following themes:

►The “Other” becomes society’s scapegoatThe “Other” becomes society’s scapegoat►Society’s marketing of sinSociety’s marketing of sin►Strength results form weakness or fragilityStrength results form weakness or fragility

► J: So far, has the marketing of Hester’s sin J: So far, has the marketing of Hester’s sin been successful?been successful?

Chapters 6-8Chapters 6-8

►Define stereotype.Define stereotype.►Where do they come from? What are Where do they come from? What are

some social stigmas today? Can they some social stigmas today? Can they be shaken off?be shaken off?

►What are the effects of gossip and What are the effects of gossip and stereotype in the novel?stereotype in the novel?

►Can we draw any similarities between Can we draw any similarities between what happens today and in the novel?what happens today and in the novel?

““Morally, as well as materially, there was a coarser fibre in Morally, as well as materially, there was a coarser fibre in those wives and maidens of old English birth and breeding, those wives and maidens of old English birth and breeding, than in their fair descendants, separated from them by a series than in their fair descendants, separated from them by a series of six or seven generations; for, throughout that chain of of six or seven generations; for, throughout that chain of ancestry, every successive mother has transmitted to her child ancestry, every successive mother has transmitted to her child a fainter bloom, a more delicate and briefer beauty, and a a fainter bloom, a more delicate and briefer beauty, and a slighter physical frame, if not a character of less force and slighter physical frame, if not a character of less force and solidity, than her own.” (p. 48)solidity, than her own.” (p. 48)

Discuss the following within the context of how women are Discuss the following within the context of how women are most critical of Hester and her crimemost critical of Hester and her crime► the letter “A” as a symbol for Pearl, for sinthe letter “A” as a symbol for Pearl, for sin

The irony of Pearl’s nameThe irony of Pearl’s name►Pearl=purityPearl=purity►Did Hester mean to be ironic?Did Hester mean to be ironic?

Pearl as an externalized sinPearl as an externalized sin► the transformation of the symbol “A”the transformation of the symbol “A”

How does it go from meaning “Adulterer” to “Able”?How does it go from meaning “Adulterer” to “Able”? Who is responsible for this transformation?Who is responsible for this transformation?

““Pearl,” said he, with great solemnity, “thou must Pearl,” said he, with great solemnity, “thou must take heed to instruction, that so, in due season, thou take heed to instruction, that so, in due season, thou mayest wear in thy bosom the pearl of great price. mayest wear in thy bosom the pearl of great price.

Canst thou tell me, my child, who made thee?”Canst thou tell me, my child, who made thee?”

►Who does Mr. Wilson believe made Pearl?Who does Mr. Wilson believe made Pearl?► If Pearl is suspected to be the product of If Pearl is suspected to be the product of

such a deep evil sin, could Mr. Wilson such a deep evil sin, could Mr. Wilson believe that Pearl is a child of the devil?believe that Pearl is a child of the devil?

► ““The Lamb” and “The Tyger” activityThe Lamb” and “The Tyger” activity

Chapters 9-13Chapters 9-13

►What does the leech symbolize?What does the leech symbolize?►How are the following themes How are the following themes

developed?developed? science v. naturescience v. nature internalized v. externalized sininternalized v. externalized sin

Chapters 14-18Chapters 14-18

► alchemy and transformation?alchemy and transformation?► the motif of light and darkthe motif of light and dark► forest vs. marketplaceforest vs. marketplace► the sexuality of Hesterthe sexuality of Hester

The close of the novelThe close of the novel

► Chillingworth character analysisChillingworth character analysis►Dimmesdale’s revelation and deathDimmesdale’s revelation and death►Hester’s life and deathHester’s life and death►Hester’s tombstone in accordance with Hester’s tombstone in accordance with

common Puritan grave markerscommon Puritan grave markers