Discussion: SL

12.3.3.d Listen, ask probing questions, and consider information to generate new ideas and challenge assumption to a topic, text, or issue under study.

12.3.3.e Collaboratively converse with peers and adults on grade-appropriate topics and texts, building on others’ ideas to clearly and persuasively express one’s own views while respecting diverse perspectives. Proficiency Scale HERE

Possible Topics/Questions for discussion

• If Hester and Dimmesdale committed the same sin why were they treated so differently? Is it fair that they received different treatment? Why do you think that this difference occurred? After seeing how Hester and Dimmesdale dealt with their sin who do you think handled the punishment with the most dignity or class? Which character, in your opinion, is moral? Which is not? Are they both moral? Are neither? Why? Use specific evidence from the text.

• Do a close reading of Hester Prynne and her modern day counterpart we chose to research as a class. How are these figures similar? How are they different? How is each character viewed by society/townspeople? How do you view them and feel about them? What are the characteristics ascribed to these two people and are these judgments fair? Do these judgments change over time? Use specific evidence to support your argument.

• Explore Chillingworth’s character. What are his motivations? What role does he play in the novel? What characteristics does he exhibit? How do you feel about him? How does Hester feel about him? How does Dimmesdale feel about him? Why does Hawthorne create this character? What message is Hawthorne trying to give us through this character and his actions?

• When Dimmesdale confesses his sin to the crowd how does Hester react? Does she believe this action was the right one?

• How do you view Dimmesdale as a result of the ending of the book?

• What does the ending of the book suggest? Who is Hester buried next to? What marks their single grave? What is the significance of this image? “It was near that old and sunken grave, yet with a space between, as if the dust of the two sleepers had no right to mingle. Yet one tombstone served for both” (247-my book).

• *What is the significance of depicting the characters as actors in the final “scene”? (on the scaffold)

• Is Dimmesdale a coward or a hero?

• What do you think the townspeople really think about Dimmesdale’s confession?

• Does Dimmesdale wrong Hester by confessing at the last minute right before his death? Does he wrong her by not confessing for seven years? Does he wrong her at all?

• What happens to Chillingworth at the end of the novel? How do you feel about this character by the end of the novel?