Physiognomy in The Scarlet Letter Analysis Activity

Activity Overview

As students read, a storyboard can serve as a helpful character reference log. This log (also called a character map) allows students to recall relevant information about important characters. When reading a novel, small attributes and details frequently become important as the plot progresses. With character mapping, students will record this information, helping them follow along and catch the subtleties which make reading more enjoyable!

A character map helps students remember each member of the novel and their important traits. Plus, it helps for tracking physiognomy, and it encourages students to utilize the text to support their ideas.

Key Characters

Hester Prynne	The protagonist of the novel; convicted of adultery; has a daughter as a result of her affair; must wear a scarlet “A” for the rest of her life
Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale	The revered minister of the town of Boston; the secret father of Hester’s daughter; is suffering physical ailments from his guilt
Roger Chillingworth	The antagonist of the novel; Hester’s long-lost husband, thought to have been lost at sea; masquerades as a doctor and doesn’t allow Hester to reveal his identity; becomes Dimmesdale’s personal physician
Pearl	Hester and Dimmesdale’s daughter; lively and energetic, which goes against the acceptable behavior of the town; seems almost otherworldly
Mistress Hibbins	Governor Bellingham’s sister; purported to be a witch; likes to go into the woods
Governor Bellingham	Governor of Massachusetts; brother of Mistress Hibbins; oversees Hester’s Trial

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Template and Class Instructions

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Student Instructions

Create a character map for the major characters.

Identify the major characters in The Scarlet Letter and type their names into the different title boxes.
Choose a character to represent each of the literary characters.

Select colors and a pose appropriate to story and character traits.

Choose a scene or background that makes sense for the character.
Fill in the text boxes for Physical Traits, Character Traits, and Quote.

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Lesson Plan Reference

Grade Level 9-10

Difficulty Level 2 (Reinforcing / Developing)

Type of Assignment Individual or Partner

Type of Activity: Physiognomy in Literature

Common Core Standards

[ELA-Literacy/RL/9-10/3] Analyze how complex characters (e.g., those with multiple or conflicting motivations) develop over the course of a text, interact with other characters, and advance the plot or develop the theme
[ELA-Literacy/RL/9-10/6] Analyze a particular point of view or cultural experience reflected in a work of literature from outside the United States, drawing on a wide reading of world literature
[ELA-Literacy/W/9-10/6] Use technology, including the Internet, to produce, publish, and update individual or shared writing products, taking advantage of technology’s capacity to link to other information and to display information flexibly and dynamically

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Rubric

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Character Map Template

Create a character map of the characters in the story. Put the character's name in the title boxes and choose a character and scene to represent each one. As you read, take notes on the characters by answering the questions.

	Proficient 33 Points	Emerging 25 Points	Beginning 17 Points
Character Picture & Scene	The characters and scenes are both appropriate for the book's characters.	Many of the characters and scenes match the book's characters.	More than half of the characters and scenes do not match the characters in the book.
Accuracy of Notes	Most of the information of the notes is correct.	Many of the notes have correct information, but some are incorrect or missing.	Less than half of the information of the notes is correct and relevant.
Effort	Work is complete, thorough, and neat.	Most of the sections of the character map were at least attempted and work is presentable.	Character map is unfinished and/or disorganized.