Here are the questions for chapter 19.  Please answer all in your reading journal.  Be prepared to discuss the contents of 17, 18, 19 on Tuesday. As you finish reading 17 & 18, continue to take notes on Hester's actions and descriptive language for Dimmesdale.  This type of close reading/note-taking is an essential academic skill to have.

1. Beyond Hester’s explanation, why won’t Pearl come to Hester without the scarlet letter?
2. What is significant about the fact that Pearl will not bring her the scarlet letter, but makes her pick it up for herself?
3. Why won’t Pearl show any affection to Dimmsdale? Why does she want him to walk with them hand-in-hand in the marketplace?
4. This chapter begins on the same optimistic note that ends the previous chapter. On what kind of note does the chapter end? Why?

Extra credit:
Here is a quote for you to think about:

“Man has been called a rational being, but rationality is a matter of choice—and the alternative his nature offers him is: rational being or suicidal animal. Man has to be man—by choice; he has to hold his life as a value—by choice; he has to learn to sustain it—by choice; he has to discover the values it requires and practice his virtues—by choice. A code of values accepted by choice is a code of morality.”

How does this relate to our characters (Hester, Chillingworth, Dimmesdale)? How does this relate to your life in the next year? Do you agree with it? Disagree? Why? Thoughts, feelings, comments, arguments, rants are welcome.  

Think about the legacy of Dr. King and his message.  Spend a meaningful and reflective Monday.  

Homework for 01.09-10 weekend

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Read Chapters 13 & 14. Choose ONE questions to answer in your reading logs. 

What social and philosophical changes is Hawthorne describing in this chapter?

›What social and philosophical changes is Hawthorne describing in this chapter?

›Compare the initial intent behind the scarlet letter to the actual effect on Hester.

›What image is Hawthorne evoking with Chillingworth, old, one shoulder higher than the other, digging up roots and collecting leaves, etc. in the forest?

›What is Hester’s response to the announcement that the Council had debated allowing her to remove her scarlet letter?

›How is the doctrine of predestination reflected in this conversation between Hester and Chillingworth?

›What pleas of Hester’s arouse sympathy and admiration in Chillingworth?

Saturday Regents prep - 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. We will concentrate on multiple-choice questions: types, tricks, format, etc.  Come!

January 26th is the ELA Regents day. I am celebrating at the Met. Join me! Turandot is playing at 8 p.m.

For more information, Metropolitan Opera