... stands out, "But on one side of the portal, and rooted almost at the threshold, was a wild rosebush, covered with its delicate gems" (Hawthorne). This rosebush is like Hester, for it too stands out as wild and different. She wears her scarlet letter among the solemnly dressed Puritans as this rosebush wears its scarlet blossoms amidst a small plot of grass and weeds. They both stand ... separate from their surroundings. Later in the book we hear a conversation between Dimmesdale and Roger Chillingworth (Hester's unknown husband). They are discussing ... escape together. In a moment of jo...

• Word Count: 1118
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School

... so involved in finding out Hester's lover that he loses his Puritan principles and devotes his life to "burrow into the clergyman's intimacy and plot against his soul" (p124). The Puritan law also contributes to Chillingworth's villainy. He cannot forgive Dimmesdale because in the 1600's the Puritans were extremely strict and unforgiving. Puritans usually had a passion for what they did, and his passion was to ... plays an important role in The Scarlet Letter. It helps Hawthorne portray his beliefs on sin and the worst kinds of it. Chillingworth is a villain in the novel, and his charac...

• Word Count: 670
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

Much of the novel, "The Scarlet Letter" centers around determining the identity of Hester's lover, Pearl's father. While Hawthorne is not gratuitous with this information, he does give the reader subtle hints as to the man's identity. Using plot points, dialogue, or other specific descriptions from the text, pick out at least three places from the first half of the novel (through "The Leech") that lead the reader to believe what is ... ultimately true: that Arthur Dimmesdale has a very big secret. Hawthorne gives the reader subtle hints throughout the first half of the novel that ... ...

• Word Count: 582
• Approx Pages: 2

... one of the most important reasons that The Scarlet Letter is so well known is the way Hawthorne leaves the novel open to be interpreted several different ways by his abundant use of symbolism. This background, together with a believable plot, convincing characterization, and important literary devices enables Nathaniel Hawthorne in The Scarlet Letter to describe the purpose of the novel when he ... says, "Be true! Be true! Be true! Show freely to the ... world, if not your worse, yet some trait whereby the worst may be inferred!" ----------------- End Essay ---------------- ... ...

• Word Count: 964
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School