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How do you think Hester will handle the punishment? Will she crumble at the embarrassment, or will she stand proud and strong?

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Is Hester not choosing to reveal the father of the baby to protect herself, the baby, or the father?

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What is Hester's feelings towards the stranger in the crowd?

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Why would Hester keep her child's father under cover? Wouldn't this if continued prove to make her and the child's life miserable? What does this display about Hester's motherhood and loyalty to her lover?

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What purpose does the conversation between the townsman and the stranger at the beginning of the chapter serve?

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Why wasn't Hester sentenced to death for her adultery?

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How will the "shameful letter A" affect Hester's lifestyle once she is  released? Will Hester even allow it affect her?

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How are Reverend Wilson and Reverend Dimmesdale contrasted through their interactions with Hester and attempts to make her confess?

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Why do the puritans believe the "A" is a product from hell? How does this characterize the towns folks and Hester herself?

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What can be inferred from
Hester's reluctance to expose the father of her child? Is this because of her shame or because she wants to protect her child?

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How does Hawthorne characterize Hester's husband as hypocritical? In what ways might this lend to the plot of the novel?

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What does Hester's interaction with her husband suggest about a) social stigmas at the time and b) his intentions?

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How is Hester's husband's character developed further in this chapter? What symbolic significance does this character have in his actions so far?

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How does Hawthorne employ religious parallels throughout this chapter to create an understanding of the controlling and hypocritical nature of some of the Puritan leaders?

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How is the motif of suffering further incorporated by Hawthorne in this chapter? How does this relate to the nature of Hester's characterization?

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Why did Hawthorne choose to focus on the conversation between the townsman and the stranger? What is the purpose of it?

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How is Hester feeling as she recognizes the man in the crowd? Why would she agree to hide his identity?

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How does Hawthorne's mentioning and description of the husband further develop Hester's characterization and mentality at this point in the text?

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What interior motivations will lead Hester to admit and reveal who the father of her child is?

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Why would Hester protect the identity of her child's father, and how does this futher characterize her and illuminate the motif of secrecy within this chapter?

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How long will Hester’s inner strength allow for her to carry the burden of two people, and what type of emotional toll may this experience have on her?

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Mr. John Wilson is constantly putting fear into the eyes of the crowd. What effect does this fear have on them?

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While Hester endures this "intense suffering" how does she continue to exemplify such an "insensibility" towards her predicament?

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How does protecting the identity of the baby's daddy have personal gain for Hester? What is her rationale in keeping the secret of the father?

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How is irony displayed by Hawthorne through personification of Boston?

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How does the motif of shame present itself in the chapter. How is it juxtaposed with pride by Hawthorne?

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Hester’s ability to denounce her assertion of guilt and to take on the responsibility of another’s guilt as well. Do these action have biblical connotations added onto them? Does the ability of sufferage lead to salvation?

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Do the characters of John Wilson and reverend Dimmsdale contrast each other on forms of religion? Do these figures result in a almost brainwashing effect due to religion?

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What motivation does Hester have for concealing the identity of her daughter’s father? Is she truly acting out of selflessness or does she just have something to prove to the community?

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How does reverend Dimmesdale's approach in handling Hester's sin contrast with that of Mr. Wilson's?

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Does the ability of religion ensite more fear then good in this case. Do Hester’s actions have a clear reason for punishment?

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Why does Hester refuse to give the name of the father of her child? How does this accentuate her character?

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How is the interaction of Hester and the estranged husband symbolic of the time? This idea of embarrassment, did that fuel the daily actions of the religious townspeople?

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Why does Hester refuse to reveal the father's identity?

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Does the exposure of the true father of the baby pose as a means of closure to the townsfolk? Do they feel cheated by their faith when left in complete inquiry despite having the culprit reside before them

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How does Hawthorne exemplify the community's perception of "sin," and how does this contribute to their outlook on the rights of women?

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What effect does Hawthorne establish by portraying Hester as a strong-willed and mighty woman before the beliefs of the town despite her lonesome position?

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"'What can thy silence do for him, except tempt him-yea, compel him, as it were-to as hypocrisy to sin?'" p 60. This quote highlights the Puritans strict codes of religion impeded on their government. For why does Hawthorne uses these lines to emphasize the satire and irony of the Puritan society

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What do you believe is going on in Hester's mind? How is the aspect of shame contributed and how she deals with it.

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Why does the governor wear weird clothes like "a dark feather on his hat"? p57

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Why doesn't Hester Prynne say who the father of the baby is?

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Based on the previous characterization of Hester, predict how she committed adultery. Was she led astray?

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Through Hester's secrecy of the child's father, is she protecting the father, or rebelling against the traditional norms? Or is it a mixture of both?

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How does the characterization of reverend Dimmesdale ironically pose as a threat to his position? Does Mr. Wilson's presence and power server as a means of foreshadow in regards to the piece?

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How does religion "blind" the mind of the townspeople for unjust justice?