Sample Annotations

Historical Perspectives

Final Assignment

For what purpose has Hawthorne chosen to have Hester raise a daughter, not a son? Write an explanation of which main character committed the greatest sin. Your group must be in agreement and you must justify your answer.

Chapter 21-23

Read and annotate Psalms 32:1-5. Create a Mind Map that compares and contrasts King David’s confession with that of Dimmesdale’s. Be sure to include comparisons of tone, diction, and purpose as well as any other rhetorical devices. Explain in a brief paragraph the salient parts of the Mind Map.

Chapter 20

How does Hawthorne play with suspense and humor in this chapter? Create a comic strip which highlights some of these elements. Include diction, phrases which highlight the dark playfulness. Upload on your wiki.

Chapter 18

How has the minster changed? Why does the author suddenly call him Arthur Dimmesdale instead of Dimmesdale?

Chapter 15-17 & 19

Use a variety of pictures to explore the images and symbols within the forest.

• Discuss the role of Pearl within the chapter – how is she connected to the nature world and explain Hawthorne’s rhetorical purpose/message
• Explain why the setting of these chapters is significant and connected to the content

Chapter 14

Anonymously expose a secret that has remained hidden for some time. Why have you kept this secret? How did it feel once revealed to the public? Compare that to Hester who has no choice but to reveal her secret and/or Dimmesdale who remains silent. Post your group’s reflection on the wiki.

Chapter 13

Creatively express (i.e. a painting, poem, skit, song, etc.) the changing view of Hester and how her role in the community shifts. How does her view of herself change? Upload on the wiki.

Chapter 12

Upload someone’s picture of “The Minister’s Vigil.” Compare this scaffold scene to the one in chapter two and then explain notions of the absurd in “The Minister’s Vigil.”