Study Questions

The Scarlet Letter

Next week’s exam will consist of two sections: 1) Quotation Identification and Reflection, and 2) Short Essay. Two of the nine essay topics below will be on the exam. You will not know which questions will be on the exam until the day of the exam, so prepare for all possible questions.

In order to study for the exam, read through all of your notes, check the webpage links, look through each of the following essay topics, and prepare for a short (1 to 1½ page) essay for each potential topic.

1. Analyze the structure of Hawthorne’s novel, The Scarlet Letter.

2. Discuss the opening scene in “The Prison Door.” How does this scene set the tone for the novel and introduce a central theme of the novel?

3. Choose one character foil from the novel and analyze the foil.

4. Discuss Hawthorne’s social commentary throughout the novel. What philosophical ideas does the novel advocate?

5. Discuss Pearl’s role in the novel. Also discuss how this role is resolved at the end of the novel.

6. Analyze Hawthorne’s use of the motif: civilization vs. wilderness.

7. Discuss Hawthorne’s use of light and dark imagery.

8. Analyze the role of paradox in the novel.