... of the Puritans. They believe that the forest was "the Devil's last preserve."33 Hence, when the Salem minister, Reverend Parris, discovers a group of girls from the town, including his daughter, Betty, and niece, Abigail, dancing and "conjuring up spirits"34 with his slave girl, Tituba, "the rumor of witchcraft [spreads] all about."35 Betty will not wake from what seems ... ?"38 This clearly illustrates how instinctive and deeply entrenched was this desire for the supernatural. Exasperated, Reverend Parris calls on Rev. Hale, who is an expert in the "demonic arts,"39 to evaluate the sit...

• Word Count: 3126
• Approx Pages: 13
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... lover, settles in Boston, while Hester, supporting her family by working as a seamstress, moves to a small cottage on the outskirts of town. Hester's daughter Pearl grows up into a capricious, precocious, and very observant child. Pearl delights in the scarlet letter and enjoys emphasizing the symbol on her mother's breast. ... mean, mother? and why dost thou wear it? and why does the minister keep his hand over his heart?" Hester is surprised by her daughter's ability to connect the scarlet letter to the minister's ailment; in response, the mother denies the true meaning of the letter...

• Word Count: 3653
• Approx Pages: 15
• Grade Level: High School

... , goes so far as to advocate death for Hester. Hester emerges from the prison with elegance and a lady-like air to her movements. She clutches her three month old daughter, Pearl. She has sown a large scarlet "A" over her breast, using her finest skill to make the badge of shame appear to be a decoration. Several of the women ... his arrival. Hester looks out over the crowd and realizes for the first time that her life condemns her to be alone. She looks at her daughter and then fingers the scarlet letter which will remain a part of her from now on. At the thought of her future, she sque...

• Word Count: 5572
• Approx Pages: 22
• Grade Level: High School

... hope that her girl has capacity for strong affection, which needs only to be awakened by sympathy" (4) but Hester wants so much more for her daughter. Never did it occur to me that Hester wanted to keep Pearl from her father though it may appear that way at times during the novel. ... her. Hester provides Pearl with a childhood full of self-discovery, free imagination, and love that knew no boundaries. Any woman who can provide that for her daughter is a heroine, especially given the beliefs and laws or that time period. The legacy left to Pearl was that of a being a strong, passionate, ...

• Word Count: 3565
• Approx Pages: 14
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... rest of her life. Instead of the society sympathizing toward her and forgiving her, they shun her and humiliate her whenever she does choose to go out in public. Her daughter, who was born as a result of the adulterous relationship, is treaded with the same disrespect. This connection between personal integrity and a responsive social relationship is vital given the novel's basic ... ...

• Word Count: 3188
• Approx Pages: 13
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... townspeople of Boston and, as a result, becomes a slave to the public opinion. His sin against Hester Prynne and Pearl is that he will not acknowledge them as his lover and daughter in the daylight. In the Puritan religion any one sin could be punished severely, whether it is a minor infraction or an offense condemnable by death. He keeps his dreadful secret ... ...

• Word Count: 2932
• Approx Pages: 12
• Grade Level: High School