Monday, May 04th, 2009 | Author: Mystical
Valerie V asked:
Can anyone answer the following questions? I don’t have my book with me
Can anyone answer the following questions? I don’t have my book with me
Chapter 16: “A Forest Walk”
Where does Hester plan to meet Dimmesdale? Why?
Describe the scene with Hester and Pearl in the sunlight. What symbolic meaning could the sunlight have? Why does sunlight shine on Pearl and not on Hester?
What story has Pearl heard about the “black man”?
What does Hester mean when she says, “Once in my life, I met the Black Man. This scarlet letter is his mark.”
Why does Pearl think the minister holds his hand over his heart? How is there symbolic truth in what she says?
ABRAM
Category: Books & Authors
Q1-Hester plans to meet Dimmesdale in the forest to talk to him.
Q2-The light shines on Pearl but when Hester puts her hand in the sunlight it “runs away.” The sunlight symbolizes truth and happiness which is Pearl and Hester does not have this.
Q3- The Gov.’s sister who is a witch told Pearl about the Black Man/Devil. The reader doesn’t know what she said exactly.
Good luck – that’s all I can remember!
Let me give you the book – your issue seems to be that if you had the book then you could read that single chapter and answer (and I love the spirit).
This is all free to read. Hope that gives you the independence you wanted!
1. She is worried about him. She meets him in the forest (important imagery here).
2. Pearl is “of the light”. Darkness and light, wilderness and civilization are important symbols.
3. Pearl is recounting a common superstition, which she heard from an old woman who spoke about it while she thought Pearl slept. The old woman claimed that many people had written their names in the Black Man’s book, including Mistress Hibbins, and that the scarlet letter was the Black Man’s mark on Hester.
4. Sin
5. That he should be open with his sin, as Hester is.
From Shmoop Lit/The Scarlet Letter