1. What did you figure out? What do we know about our characters?
Our setting?
Our conflicts?
Questions we can’t answer?

2. Chapter 1 Annotate chapter 1 for the following:
Hawthorne describes the puritans.
Hawthorne describes the setting.
Hawthorne uses figurative language.
Hawthorne alludes to Ann Hutchinson. Who is she?

3. Chapter 2
How are the Puritans described at the opening of the chapter?
On 45, some of the women discuss punishments more befitting of Hester. What are their suggestions? Why do they suggest these alternatives?
How is Hester described on 46?
On 48, Hester is compared to Mary the mother of Christ (“Divine Maternity”). What is the effect of this comparison?
dour, unhappy, quick to punish
brand on forehead, death; brought shame, Bible says to, others might go astray like she
haughty, won’t let them win, beautiful, separate and supernaturally removed from this society

4. Chapter 3 How is Chillingworth described on 52-53?
“The penalty [for adultery] is death” (54). Why then wasn’t Hester executed? Her full punishment comprises of what?
How is Dimmesdale described on 57? What does he demand of Hester?
What is the response to Hester’s refusal to reveal her lover’s name?
How does the crowd perceive the scarlet letter during Rev. Wilson’s sermon? At the close of the chapter?

5. Chapter 4
How does Master Brackett, the jailer, describe Chillingworth to Hester? (60)
How does Chillingworth respond when Hester asks, “ ‘Wouldst thou avenge thyself on the innocent babe?” (61).
In the same, to what animal is Chillingworth compared? (61)
Did Hester ever love Chilly? (63). How does Chilly respond?
Chillingworth claims to have committed “ ‘the first wrong’ ” (63). What was it?
“ ‘[H]e must needs be mine!’ ” (64). Who?
What does Hester promise to do at the end of the chapter? (65)