XXIII. The Revelation of the Scarlet Letter Quiz — The Scarlet Letter

by Nathaniel Hawthorne

Comprehension Quiz: XXIII. The Revelation of the Scarlet Letter

What is the subject of Dimmesdale's Election Sermon?

  • The sinfulness of the Puritan community and need for repentance
  • The relationship between God and mankind, prophesying a glorious destiny for New England
  • A detailed account of his own hidden transgressions over seven years
  • The corrupting influence of vengeance and the need for Christian forgiveness

Who first offers physical support to Dimmesdale as he weakens in the procession?

  • Governor Bellingham, who leaves his place in the procession to assist
  • Hester Prynne, who rushes forward from the scaffold
  • Reverend John Wilson, who steps forward hastily
  • Roger Chillingworth, who grabs the minister by the arm

What does Chillingworth say to Dimmesdale when he tries to stop the confession?

  • "Thou hast escaped me! Thou hast escaped me!"
  • "May God forgive thee! Thou, too, hast deeply sinned!"
  • "Madman, hold! What is your purpose? ... I can yet save you!"
  • "The law we broke! The sin here so awfully revealed!"

How does Dimmesdale describe himself to the crowd in his scaffold confession?

  • A humble servant seeking the forgiveness of his congregation
  • A victim of Chillingworth's persecution and Hester's temptation
  • The one sinner of the world who should have stood there seven years ago
  • A man whose heavenly calling made his earthly transgressions forgivable

What does Hawthorne say about describing the revelation on Dimmesdale's chest?

  • He describes a scarlet letter "A" burned deeply into the minister's skin
  • He says "it were irreverent to describe that revelation," leaving it ambiguous
  • He reports that nothing was visible, and the gesture was purely symbolic
  • He attributes the mark to Chillingworth's medicines and dark arts

What happens when Pearl kisses Dimmesdale on the scaffold?

  • She recoils in horror upon seeing the mark on his chest and runs away
  • She whispers a secret message that only Dimmesdale can hear
  • A spell is broken, and her tears pledge she will grow up amid human joy and sorrow
  • She demands that her father rise and escape with her and Hester to England

How does Dimmesdale respond to Hester's question about meeting in the afterlife?

  • He promises with certainty that they will be reunited in heaven forever
  • He refuses to answer and turns his dying eyes away from her in shame
  • He expresses fear that their sin may prevent a pure reunion, but appeals to God's mercy
  • He tells her to forget him entirely and devote her life to raising Pearl

What three afflictions does Dimmesdale thank God for sending him?

  • Hester's love, Pearl's birth, and the public scaffold
  • The burning on his breast, Chillingworth's torment, and dying on the scaffold
  • Seven years of fasting, the midnight vigil, and Hester's strength
  • The scarlet letter, exile from England, and the Puritan community's judgment

Which of the following events DOES happen in Chapter 23?

  • Chillingworth kneels beside the dying Dimmesdale with a blank, dull countenance
  • Hester removes her scarlet letter and casts it aside on the scaffold
  • Pearl refuses to approach the scaffold and watches from the crowd
  • The crowd storms the scaffold to physically remove Dimmesdale

Which of the following does NOT happen in Chapter 23?

  • Dimmesdale tears away the ministerial band from his breast
  • The crowd shouts in praise after the Election Sermon
  • Chillingworth publicly confesses his true identity as Hester's husband
  • Governor Bellingham advances to assist the weakened minister

In the sentence "He stood, at this moment, on the very proudest eminence of superiority," what does "eminence" mean?

  • A feeling of deep personal regret and moral uncertainty
  • A position of superiority, distinction, or high rank
  • A raised platform used for public speeches and ceremonies
  • A state of physical exhaustion caused by prolonged suffering

When Hawthorne describes Dimmesdale as "apotheosized by worshipping admirers," what does "apotheosized" mean?

  • Publicly criticized and denounced by an outraged assembly
  • Physically weakened to the point of near collapse
  • Elevated to divine status or glorified to the highest degree
  • Deeply moved to tears by an emotional experience

What does "ignominy" mean in the phrase "to die this death of triumphant ignominy before the people"?

  • Great personal courage displayed in a moment of crisis
  • A state of physical suffering caused by disease or injury
  • Spiritual transcendence achieved through religious devotion
  • Public shame or disgrace

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