The Scarlet Letter, written in the 1850s and set in 17th century New England, centers on Hester Prynne, her illegitimate child, Pearl, and their relationship with Hester’s estranged husband, who appears in town on the day of her public shame, and with the town’s minister, Arthur Dimmesdale. It deals with themes of sin, redemption and hypocrisy.

Text Description

The recommended placement of this novel, based on all three measures of text complexity, is the 11-12 grade band. Students will find the language, text structure, allusions, and themes challenging.

Recommended Complexity Band Level

Quantitative Measure of the Text:
1340 L

	Range:
1185-1385
	Associated Band Level:
11-12

Quantitative Measure

Text Structure: 
Very Complex - Events are often implicit or subtle. “ The women, who were now standing about the prison-door, stood within less than half a century of the period when the man-like Elizabeth had been the not altogether unsuitable representative of the sex. “  The story begins with Hester Prynne emerging from prison with her illegitimate child.  How the child came to be and why Hester was imprisoned is revealed as the narrator weaves history and observation into one tale.
Language Features: 
Exceedingly Complex- Sentences are complex; for example, “Throughout them all, giving up her individuality, she would become the general symbol at which the preacher and moralist might point, and in which they might vivify and embody their images of woman's frailty and sinful passion.” 
The author uses verbal and situational irony that a reader may find challenging. "Nay, we might have judged that such a child's mother must needs be a scarlet woman, and a worthy type of her of Babylon! But she comes at a good time; and we will look into this matter forthwith.”
Meaning/Purpose: 
Very complex-theme is implicit or subtle and may be revealed over the entirety of the text, as in this example:  "What do we talk of marks and brands, whether on the bodice of her gown, or the flesh of her forehead?" cried another female, the ugliest as well as the most pitiless of these self-constituted judges. "This woman has brought shame upon us all, and ought to die. Is there no law for it? Truly there is, both in the Scripture and the statute-book. Then let the magistrates, who have made it of no effect, thank themselves if their own wives and daughters go astray!"

Knowledge Demands: 
Very Complex – The unfamiliar allusions place this as very complex; however, with scaffolding and discussion, the Life Experiences are accessible to most students.

Qualitative Measures

Below are factors to consider with respect to the reader and task:

Potential Challenges this Text Poses:
Students may find the historical context and language challenging.  They may benefit from analogies to current situations/examples for context. 

Close reading of particularly challenging passages will help struggling students engage with the text.  Hester’s emergence from the jail cell, her first private conversation with Dimmesdale, and her first interaction with Chillingsworth provide significant challenges to understand imagery and implied emotion.  

Differentiation/Supports for Students:

Students reading below grade level may benefit from opportunities for pair, small group and whole class discussions, using text-based questions.  For extensions, consider modern allusions to the text such as a TV commercial http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NR3BVN8ofk8 

Possible Major Instructional Areas of Focus (include 3-4 CCS Standards) for this Text:

•	RL.11-12. 2. Determine two or more themes or central ideas of a text and analyze their development over the course of the text, including how they interact and build on one another to produce a complex account; provide an objective summary of the text.

•	R.L.11-12.3. Analyze the impact of the author’s choices regarding how to develop and relate elements of a story or drama (e.g., where a story is set, how the action is ordered, how the characters are introduced and developed).

•	RL.11-12.6. Analyze a case in which grasping point of view requires distinguishing what is directly stated in a text from what is really meant (e.g., satire, sarcasm, irony, or understatement).

o	Explain how Pearl’s birth is a catalyst for change among the major characters.

o	Explain how Hawthorne reveals hypocrisy among the citizens and leadership of the community.  What sins are addressed harshly and which are ignored?

o	Explain how Hawthorne develops and sustains suspense through the way Hester, Dimmesdale, and Chiillingworth react and interact with each other.

Created by HS ELA SCASS group October, 2012          

Considerations for Reader and Task