Instructions:

First, take a look at the guiding questions for chapter 9 in your groups.
Do your best to answer all of the guiding questions in five minutes
using specific evidence from The Scarlet Letter. However, dont worry if
you dont get to all of them.
Designate a spokesperson for your group to then share your responses
with the whole class. If youd like, you can take notes to help you
remember important points to share with your peers. After sharing with
the whole class, well move on to discussing the next chapter in small
groups, and so on.

Chapter 9: The Leech

What do you think is the significance of the title of this chapter?
How would you describe Dimmesdales physical and psychological
health at this point in the novel? (109)
How do the residents of Salem initially feel towards Roger
Chillingworth? (110)
How does this impression of Chillingworth change throughout this
chapter? (116)
Chapter 10: The Leech and His Patient
Describe the interactions between Chillingworth and Dimmesdale on
pages 124-125.
What is Chillingworths suspicion?
How does Pearl react to seeing Chillingworth on page 122? What name
does she call him, and why do you think she associates Chillingworth
with this title?
What is Chillingworths revelation on page 126? What do we know from
this scene, and what questions do you still have about whats
happening here?
Chapter 11: The Interior of a Heart

How would you characterize the relationship between Chillingworth

and Dimmesdale at this point in the novel? (127)
How do the residents of Boston view Dimmesdale? (130)
How do you think Dimmesdale views himself in turn? (130-131)
Chapter 12: The Ministers Vigil
Why do you think that Dimmesdale feels the need to stand on the
scaffold in the towns market place? (133-134)
What does Pearl request Dimmesdale to do, and how does he respond?
What are the larger implications of Pearls request? (139)
Who is watching Pearl, Hester, and Dimmesdale in the shadows?
How do you think that Dimmesdale might interpret the A that
appears in the sky? What do the townspeople in turn assume that this
A means? (144)
Chapter 13: Another View of Hester
How does the scarlet letter take on a new meaning in the eyes of the
people of Boston? What does Hester do to bring about such a change
in the interpretation of her scarlet letter? (146)
How would you characterize the changes that the scarlet letter has
inflicted on Hester and her personality? (148)
What is Hester preparing to do at the end of the chapter? (151)
What predictions do you have for the next chapter?