The Scarlet Letter

​Terms to know:

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​Scourge

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​What might it be used for?

​What is meant by this quote?

​"It is inconceivable, the agony with which this public veneration tortured him!"

​What does the previous quote mean?

• ​Dimmesdale feels tortured by the public respect that he receives; he feels that he doesn't deserve their respect because he's lied to them.

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​Dimmesdale has tried to what?

​Dimmesdale has tried to confess multiple times in front of his congregation. Is he successful?

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​No - he is not successful because people hear him admit to being a vile sinner and a guilty person and believe that he is simply trying to make them better people.

​If HE is that terrible, then they must be even worse and should work harder to get to heaven.

​Dimmesdale calls himself a hypocrite - is it accurate?

What "practices more in accordance with the old, corrupted faith of Rome​" does Dimmesdale keep?

He keeps a whip in his closet that he uses to beat his back (to punish himself)

​He fasts (to purify the body)

​He keeps vigils (stays awake to pray and meditate)