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Quiz about The Scarlet Letter Obscurities

"The Scarlet Letter" Obscurities Quiz

Nathaniel Hawthorne's, "The Scarlet Letter" is regarded as one of the greatest exemplifications of the Romantic novella. Let's see how well you know the book.

A multiple-choice quiz by unbelievable1 . Estimated time: 3 mins.

Author
unbelievable1

Time
3 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
281,946

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
1249

Awards
Top 35% Quiz

Last 3 plays: Guest 84 (0/10), Guest 111 (1/10), Robinsgirl28 (5/10).

Question 1 of 10

1. How old is the sin-born daughter, Pearl, at the beginning of the FIRST scaffold scene? Hint

4 months

5 months

3 months

2 months

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Question 2 of 10

2. Which of the following events in the book is not a remembrance of Hester's as she stands on the scaffold? Hint

The comforting presence of her sister and brother at play.

An older man with a scholarly visage and slightly physical deformity.

Her paternal home in Old England.

Her own girlish beauty as she gazed into a mirror.

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Question 3 of 10

3. What is/are the first word(s) that Hester speaks in the novel? Hint

Never

Don't touch my Pearl!

Leave me be

Cowardice is my teacher, a stern and wild one

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Question 4 of 10

4. Hester named her daughter Pearl because she bore a "calm, white, unimpassioned luster," comparable to that of a pearl.

True

False

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Question 5 of 10

5. How much time passes between the first and last scaffold scene? Hint

5 years

4years

6 years

7 years

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Question 6 of 10

6. Which of the following is an incorrect representation of the Scarlet Letter throughout the course of the novel? Hint

Able

Adultress

Avowal

Angel

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Question 7 of 10

7. In the chapter, "The Forest Walk," what does Pearl say to her mother that "does not love" her? Hint

Her father, Dimmesdale

The sunshine

The woodland creatures

The "wildness" of the river

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Question 8 of 10

8. A black _________________ was found the next day after the death of the Governor. Hint

and white photograph

veil

stamp

glove

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Question 9 of 10

9. When was this book first published? Hint

1750

1950

1850

1955

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Question 10 of 10

10. Which of the following characters passes away first, at the end of the book? Hint

Hester

Dimmesdale

Pearl

Chillingworth

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Most Recent Scores

Oct 25 2024 : Guest 84: 0/10
Oct 20 2024 : Guest 111: 1/10
Oct 15 2024 : Robinsgirl28: 5/10

Score Distribution

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. How old is the sin-born daughter, Pearl, at the beginning of the FIRST scaffold scene?

Answer: 3 months

At the beginning of Hawthorne's novel, it is mentioned that Pearl is three months old.

2. Which of the following events in the book is not a remembrance of Hester's as she stands on the scaffold?

Answer: The comforting presence of her sister and brother at play.

All these occurred. In the novel, it is not even mentioned that Hester had any brothers or sisters, or any siblings at all. Upon the scaffold, Hester sees a man of "slight physical deformity," who is later learned to be her husband, Chillingworth.

3. What is/are the first word(s) that Hester speaks in the novel?

Answer: Never

These words are the first said by Hester in the novel. She says them to Reverend Wilson, who demands that she name her co-adulterer.

4. Hester named her daughter Pearl because she bore a "calm, white, unimpassioned luster," comparable to that of a pearl.

Answer: False

Hester calls her daughter Pearl, as the daughter represents something of great price. Her mother's only treasure, and, interestingly, a reference from The Bible.

5. How much time passes between the first and last scaffold scene?

Answer: 7 years

From beginning of the novel to the end, in which Dimmesdale dies of his insurmountable guilt, seven years have passed.

6. Which of the following is an incorrect representation of the Scarlet Letter throughout the course of the novel?

Answer: Avowal

The Scarlet Letter undergoes three transformations of meanings. The first being "Adulteress," the second being "Angel" (declared as Governor Winthrop passes away and the "A" is seen in the night sky.) and the third being "Able," as Hester proves herself to be a very strong-willed and an all-around-able person.

7. In the chapter, "The Forest Walk," what does Pearl say to her mother that "does not love" her?

Answer: The sunshine

Pearl says that "the sunshine does not love you (Hester)." Throughout this scene, the sunshine symbolizes happiness. Hester will never be able to grasp happiness, so, in effect, Pearl is telling her that happiness does not love Hester.

8. A black _________________ was found the next day after the death of the Governor.

Answer: glove

The morning following the meteor sighting, the town's old sexton picks up a black glove and solemnly explains that "Satan had dropped it there intending a scurrilous jest against your (Dimmesdale) reverence." The glove symbolizes the evil and the state of mind that Dimmesdale is in for committing adultery.

9. When was this book first published?

Answer: 1850

"The Scarlet Letter" was first published in 1850. The book is still considered a "Classic," and is lauded by literary figures even to this day.

10. Which of the following characters passes away first, at the end of the book?

Answer: Dimmesdale

Dimmesdale is the first to pass away (as he reveals the "A" of his own on his chest to the town), followed by Chillingworth, then Hester, then Pearl. At the end of the book, it is learned that Hester is buried next to Dimmesdale where "On a field, sable, the letter A, guiles." (Translates to on a black background, the red "A" burns.)

Source: Author unbelievable1

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