The Scarlet Letter Discussion Questions
Leader--Leiser
Chapter 17
1. Why do you think Hawthorne had Dimmesdale recognize Hester by her letter?
2. Paragraph 8: “It was no wonder that they thus questioned one another’s actual and bodily
existence, and even doubted of their own.” What does it mean?
3. Hawthorne mentions ghosts a lot, what does it symbolize or connect to?
4. Why are Hester and Arthur able to be so comfortable with each other?
5. Why does Hester finally decide to tell Arthur the truth about Chillingworth?
6. Why does Hester beg for Arthur’s forgiveness?
7. How does Dimmesdale react to the news?
8. What does Hester mean when she says “Let God punish! Thou shalt forgive!”
9. Why do you think Hawthorne had Hester pull Dimmesdale to her chest?
10. Paragraph 32: What is Hester talking about when she asks “Hast thou forgotten it?”
11. Paragraph 35: What does the golden light symbolize?
12. What does Dimmesdale think of Chillingworth now?
13. Fallen Leaves: What does it symbolize?
14. Paragraph 51-55: What does it mean and what do you think its foreshadowing?