1. Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter Global Introductions

2. Surviving High School
Discuss one unwritten rule for surviving in high school?
What might be an unwritten rule to survive in a Puritan town?

3. Clique What comes to mind when you hear the word “clique”?
What cliques are present in The Scarlet Letter?

4. Left Out
How would you feel if you were ostracized from the members of your school or community? What would you do about it?

5. Puritan Era
List one characteristic of the Puritan era and briefly explain how things are now similar or different.

6. Conformity
In what ways do you conform to what is expected of you?

7. New Girl
A new girl has transferred to your school. As she passes through the hall, you overhear some boys and girls in your class whisper that she is promiscuous. What is your response?

8. Fitting In
Given the generalization “Everybody wants to fit in,” identify a specific example where you have seen this to be true or identify an example that refutes the generalization.

9. Guilt
What does guilt look like? If you had to draw a symbol of guilt, what would it be?
Who “shows” guilt in the novel thus far?

10. Parental Influence
How instrumental is a parent’s influence on their child’s development?
Is Hester responsible for Pearl’s behavior?

11. Angry Friends
Your friends are angry at you. Would you rather get the silent treatment or be angrily confronted. Explain your choice.

12. Scapegoat
What is a “scapegoat”? Who appears to be a scapegoat in this novel?

13. Silent
What are some possible reasons someone might not speak up for themselves when they are being treated unfairly or are simply misunderstood?

14. Worst Sin
In your opinion, who has committed the “worst sin” in the novel? Hester, Dimmesdale, or Chillingsworth? Explain your answer

15. Novel’s End
As we approach the end of the novel, what do you predict will happen? Consider the following elements:
Hester and Dimmesdale’s relationship
Chillingsworth and Dimmesdale’s relationship
Pearl

16. Running Away
Chillingsworth is about to reveal the truth to the community. Dimmesdale is ready to give up and die instead of facing the truth. Hester proposes that they run away to a different country.
Do you agree with Hester’s plan? Will it solve their problems?

17. Book Banning The Scarlet Letter is ranked #4 on “Banned Books.”
Why do you think the book was banned when it was first published in 1850?
Why would individuals try to ban the book even in the 1970’s?
Should books be banned? Why or why not?

18. Theme/ Life Lesson
What is one “life lesson” that we can learn from this novel?

19. Chillingsworth’s Plan
Now that we know Chillingsworth plans to go to England with Hester, Dimmesdale, and Pearl, what do you think he’ll do once he’s on the ship? What is his plan?

20. End of Novel How do you feel about Dimmesdale’s death?
Do you agree with the way Hawthorne ended the book? Why or why not?

21. Character Descriptions
Choose a character from the novel (Hester, Pearl, Dimmesdale, or Chillingsworth)
Write down as many descriptions of this character that you can (mischievous, courageous, kind, coward, etc.)

22. Symbolism
Hawthorne uses symbolism throughout the book. How could the following items be a symbol?
Pearl’s name
The Rose Bush beside the prison door
The Scarlet Letter
The constant use of light and dark (sunlight and shadows)

23. Favorite Character
Who is your favorite character in the novel? Explain your answer.
Who is your least favorite character in the novel? Explain your answer.