The Scarlet Letter Essay Topic Guides Read the next TWO slides carefully, then review the suggestions for your essay topic.

How long does my essay need to be? We are trying to move away from the formulaic 5 paragraph essay. Since this is a lengthy text and our topics are complex, most of you will have more than 5 paragraphs. Well...HOW MANY do I need?!? Answer: You will need as many as it takes to address your prompt fully. Most people will need 4-6 body paragraphs, and you must have an introduction and conclusion.

What is a thesis statement? 1. a short statement, usually one sentence, that summarizes the main point or claim of an essay, research paper, etc., and is developed, supported, and explained in the text by means of examples and evidence. (dictionary.com) How do I construct a thesis statement? One effective strategy involves taking the questions/tasks outlined in the prompt and turning them into a statement that makes a CLAIM. Find your topic on the next slides to view the questions/tasks associated with your topic.

A. Sin Big Questions/Tasks: What are the sins presented in the novel? What are the effects of the sins presented in the novel? According to Hawthorne, how should humans cope with their inherently flawed nature? IN YOUR PAPER, YOU MUST… Symbols: Explain each symbol’s message about sin. Communicate Hawthorne’s message about sin. One Character: Explain the character’s sins. Explain how the character copes with sins. Explain the consequences that character faces. Communicate Hawthorne’s message about sin(s). Two Characters: Explain each character’s sins. Explain how each character copes with sins. Explain the consequences that each character faces. Communicate Hawthorne’s message about sin(s).

B. Gender Big Questions/Tasks Is Hester a sinner, a victim, an object, but ultimately a winner? How does she struggle against her society’s gender norms? What victory does she gain in her struggle against society’s gender norms? IN YOUR PAPER , YOU MUST… Explain how Hester breaks her society’s gender norms and gains/does not gain personal power. Explain how society views her/responds to her. Explain how Hester achieves victory (or not), either temporarily or permanently.

C. Transfiguration You MAY focus on more than one character. Big Questions/Tasks (Character) How does the character(s) change throughout the novel? What forces drive the change of the character(s)? What is the character(s)’s beginning state, changes, and final state of the character(s)? IN YOUR PAPER, YOU MUST… Explain the character’s beginning state. Explain what facilitates the change in the character. Explain the character’s change in its many stages. Explain the character’s final state of being.

C. Transfiguration Big Questions/Tasks (Symbol) How does the symbol trigger a transfiguration in one or more of the characters? How does the symbol connect to the character(s)? How does the symbol affect the character(s)? IN YOUR PAPER, YOU MUST… Explain the symbol and what it represents. Explain how/why the symbol triggers a change in the character(s). Explain why/how the character(s) is connected to the symbol. Explain how the symbol affects the character(s)’s life.

D. Character Analysis Roger Chillingworth Big Questions/Tasks: What is Roger Chillingworth’s appearance, personality, and influence on the plot? Is Roger Chillingworth an absolute devil, or can readers find elements to pity in his character? Explain. IN YOUR PAPER, YOU MUST… Explain what Roger looks like and how that changes. Explain his personality (motivations, gestures, goals). Explain his influence on the plot (how does he affect the other characters?) Explain whether he is an absolute devil or if readers can find something to pity.

D. Character Analysis Rev. Arthur Dimmesdale Big Questions/Tasks What are Dimmesdale’s character traits and influence on the plot? What psychological and physical journeys does Dimmesdale experience throughout the novel? Does Dimmesdale achieve redemption/purification at the end of the novel? Why or why not? IN YOUR PAPER, YOU MUST… Describe Rev. Dimmesdale’s character. Explain how he influences the plot. (what happens to others as a result of his actions/lack of actions?) Explain his psychological and physical journeys. Decide whether he gains redemption/purification at the end of the novel.

D. Character Analysis Pearl Big Questions/Tasks: What are Pearl’s character traits? What is Pearl’s function in the novel? Does her fate amend the mistakes made by her mother and father? Why or why not? IN YOUR PAPER, YOU MUST… Describe Pearl’s character traits. Explain her function in the novel? (Does she expose sin? Does she serve as a symbol?) Decide whether her fate amends the mistakes made by her mother and father.