The Scarlet Letter

Lesson 21
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ELA

Unit 7

11th Grade

Lesson 21 of 26

Objective


Identify and analyze Hawthorne’s use of juxtaposition in “A New England Holiday.”

Readings and Materials


  • Book: The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne  — Chapter 21: A New England Holiday

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Target Task


Question 1

Which statement best describes a technique Hawthorne uses to characterize the Puritans on pp. 105–106?

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Question 2

The author uses Pearl’s phrase, “here in the sunny day, and among all the people, he knows us not,” to develop the idea that

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Question 3

Choose one example of juxtaposition in Chapter 21, and explain how it develops the theme of hypocrisy.

Question 4

What “secret and fearful meaning” does Chillingworth’s smile convey at the end of the chapter? Explain.

Key Questions


  • Track evidence throughout the chapter that describes the “holiday” that is being celebrated and what the celebration looks like.
  • How does the narrator describe Hester’s clothing on p. 103? What is juxtaposed with the appearance of her clothing? What is the impact of this juxtaposition?
  • What does the narrator mean that Hester is “already dead” on p. 104? What hope do we know she is secretly holding inside despite this outward appearance?
  • How does the narrator describe Pearl? What is she juxtaposed against? How does Hawthorne use this juxtaposition to develop mood?
  • How does Hawthorne develop the motif of light and dark on p. 105? How does this motif contribute to the theme of hypocrisy?
  • Track the narrator’s description of the festivities and of the Puritan people. Who does he juxtapose them against on pp. 106–107 (two or three separate groups)? How does this juxtaposition help to further characterize the Puritans? How does it help reveal Hawthorne’s opinion of or tone toward the Puritans?
  • Who is the narrator describing here? How does Hawthorne develop the theme of hypocrisy in this line? “They transgressed without fear or scruple, the rules of behavior that were binding on all others.” (p. 107)
  • Track the narrator’s juxtaposition of the sea and the land. How does he characterize them differently? To what effect?
  • Who approaches the shipmaster to talk? (p. 108)
  • What does Hester learn in her conversation with the mariner? What impact does this news have on Hester’s hope for the future? Why? 
  • Why is Chillingworth joining them? What does this scene foreshadow? Why? 
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Lesson 20

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Lesson 22

Lesson Map

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