Analysis Of Nathaniel Hawthorne 's ' The Scarlet Letter ' Essay

The Scarlet Letter submerses the reader in the Puritan’s culture. The story involves the Puritans portrayal of the sins of a young woman. Although a difficult read, the book stirs the reader to obtain a high moral compass. Throughout the novel, Hawthorne uses the symbols of light and dark to depict good and evil among the characters, Hester Prynne, Arthur Dimmesdale, and Roger Chillingworth.

The most powerful tool in writing is the ability of an author to imply characteristics of characters based on the influences and bonds surrounding them; this is often done to highlight a deeper meaning that the author is attempting to indirectly convey. Such an example is in The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, as observed by Mistress Hibbins being the highlight of Hester Prynne. The base line of Hester Prynne is easy to gather by reading The Scarlet Letter, but akin to the rest of Hawthorne’s novel, there is a deeper meaning that is implied; this becomes evident in noticing that Mistress Hibbins serves as a personification of the negative, sinful aspects of Hester; examples of this include her actions and interactions with other characters,

In Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter, symbolsim is constantly present in the actual scarlet letter “A” as it is viewed as a symbol of sin and the gradally changes its meanign, guilt is also a mejore symbol, and Pearl’s role in this novel is symbolic as well. The Scarlet Letter includes many profound and crucial symbols. these devices of symbolism are best portayed in the novel, most noticably through the letter “A” best exemplifies the changes in the symbolic meaning throughout the novel.

In chapters 7-9 in the novel The Scarlet Letter, the purpose that Nathaniel Hawthorne is trying to get across is helped greatly by literary devices such as diction, imagery, syntax, and tone embedded in this novel. Hawthorne uses strong diction to intensify situations to bring out anticipation and feelings. Hawthorne uses an abundance of imagery to help understand the strong diction, and to help set the mood and tone of each chapter. Hawthorne, then, ties all these literary devices together to further his point that the sin was not only an act of affection, but it also creates a problematic combination of love and evil. The problematic combination intensifies throughout the novel, but chapters 7-9 is where this combination of love and evil really begins.

A common theme throughout literature is religion and how the author feels about his or her faith. Nathaniel Hawthorne uses rhetorical devices to draw comparisons between characters and events in The Scarlet Letter and Biblical figures and accounts. A few of the devices found in this novel that connect it to the Bible are symbolism, paradox, allusions, and characterization. It is important to first look at the characters and how they are described through characterization.

During the 17th century, a Puritan commonwealth presided over Boston and was known for its strict adherence to religious, moral and social codes. In The Scarlet Letter, Nathaniel Hawthorne utilizes rhetorical strategies in order to denounce the Puritan system of beliefs and bring to light the hypocrisy of the Puritan community as he tells the agonizing story of a young woman who was condemned by society.

The power of imagination makes us infinite, and when it is dulled, one can feel trapped. Only after freeing ourselves, can we understand the beauty of a creative mind. Nathaniel Hawthorne explains how he also had to get back in tune with his imagination after not using it for years while working at the Custom House. Hawthorne draws a very well sketch of the boring life at the Custom House, and how after his head was “cut off” he got the mindset to be able to write the Scarlet Letter. In this long introduction to the Scarlet Letter, Nathaniel Hawthorne uses rhetorical devices to describe character traits, show relationships between characters, hint at future events, and enrich the plot for the reader's enjoyment. With his effective use of imagery, symbolism and biblical allusions, Hawthorne adds depth to the novel while creating a connection to the meaning beyond the story that it tells.

The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne presents the reader with the harsh, life changing conflicts of three Puritan characters during the 17th century. Hester Prynne, Arthur Dimmesdale, and Robert Chillingworth must endure their different, yet surprisingly similar struggles as the novel progresses. Despite their similarities, Hawthorne shows these individuals deal with their conflicts differently, and in the end, only one prevails. Nathaniel Hawthorne’s intricately critical diction helps determine his didactic tone; during the course of The Scarlet Letter, Hawthorne reveals that happiness can be harnessed through one’s perseverance.

Mark Van Doren’s critical piece, “Hester Prynne,” addresses the protagonist of Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter. Hester Prynne lives a unique life wearing a scarlet letter “A” that first stands for “adulteress” but progressively comes to mean “able.” In his criticism, Van Doren uses a reverent tone, strong diction, and hyperboles to successfully show his admiration for Hawthorne and his creation of Hester Prynne. Mark Van Doren’s admiring tone in his critical piece successfully shows his feelings toward Hester Prynne and The Scarlet Letter by analyzing several portions of the book and shining a positive light on each of them.

      Throughout his novel, The Scarlet Letter, Hawthorne reveals character through the use of imagery and metaphor.

D.H. Lawrence analyzed The Scarlet Letter in his essay, “On The Scarlet Letter,” finding the impurities and faults in Hawthorne’s heroine, Hester Prynne. The analysis of Hester and Arthur, the revered whom Hester committed adultery with, for example, is far more complex than the average reader may be aware. Lawrence reveals more than what is on the surface of their relationship and how they committed their infamous sin. By observing Hester’s actions, a different perspective of her seductiveness and corruptness is revealed. Adding on to insult, he calls the book a farce, which means the characters and story is crude and undeveloped, mocking Nathaniel Hawthorne in the process. D.H. Lawrence analyzes The Scarlet Letter by properly using short and choppy syntax, sardonic tone, and extreme hyperboles.

Perhaps one of the simplest ways to reveal a message is through symbols. Symbols, although only mere representations of concepts, objects, or ideas, are capable of grasping people’s attention in a memorable way. Many, if not all, recognize the infamous “S” to represent Superman, one of the most admirable superheroes of all time. In a similar way, authors use symbols in their writing to center their readers’ attention on a particular idea. This idea is generally one that the authors deem crucial to the understanding of the work of literature. Such a use of symbols is seen in Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter. In order to unlock the meaning of this work, readers must interpret two of his most prominent symbols, the scarlet letter and Pearl.

In Chapter 3, Hawthorne uses contradicting diction to reflect the Romantics belief concerning the difference between good and evil as they label the “stranger” using words such as “remarkable intelligence” yet he is also described as having a “slight [physical] deformity” (56) being that the ugliness on the outside reflects the ugliness on the inside. This use of diction gives the reader the sense that the stranger is intellectual yet flawed in feelings and personality. The author’s depiction of the stranger’s asymmetrical figure provokes an ominous and sinister outlook. When the man recognizes Hester standing alone on the scaffold, "a writhing horror twisted itself across his features, like a snake gliding swiftly over them . . ." (57). The person who should ease Hester the most at this time, her husband, proves to make her feel uneasy and alone. To further emphasize the character’s contrary demeanor, Hawthorne dresses him in “heterogeneous garb”; He is dressed in “a strange disarray of civilized and savage costume” (56). Ultimately, Hawthorne anticipates that his audience will comprehend how unique and intricate the stranger is and consequently how he can further develop the story later on.

The use of contrasting themes is evident throughout all works of literature. In every piece of prose of poetry that includes a hero’s journey, there must be a contrast of good and evil, of night and day. In specific regards to Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter, the opposition of these two elements is very apparent in the main character’s, Hester Prynne’s, journey. Hester Prynne is Hawthorne’s heroine, she is Hawthorne's protagonist within the hero’s journey. Hawthorne employs the allegorical symbols of night and day in the hopes of presenting an exaggerated contrast to the readers. Through the symbols of night and day, the hero’s journey of Hester Prynne is made to fit the classical model.

The editorial explains the significance behind each character and their connection to the exclusive puritan society. Also, the article critiques the intentions of Nathaniel Hawthorne in making the characters and their importance in the overall theme of the novel. Based on the editorial, Hawthorne creates certain characters just to support the main character, Hester Prynne. The article argues that all the characters besides Hester serve as a symbol rather than complex character. "The Scarlet Letter."