Essay On Symbolism In Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter

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.

Initially he is a man of logic and reason. Be that as it may, he begins to let his emotions control his seek for revenge. His want for retaliation seeps into his field of medicine. As a physician he believes he is supposed to care for patients and never intentionally hurt them but, he himself deliberately shatters the belief and hurts Dimmesdale. After, he boasts the details to Hester. She then begins to question if he tortured Arthur. Chillingworth replies "No! No! He has but increased the debt!"(Hawthorne 118). The idea that he takes pride in inflicting pain upon his patient and announcing himself the optimal physician, makes him a hypocrite. He was not only a hypocrite in his medicine but, also toward Hester. Roger confesses to Hester that he is to be held accountable for their failed marriage. He leads on to state that he was seeking no vengeance nor to plot evil against her and that the scale hung fairly balanced. Later, it becomes clear his real intentions were purely our of revenge which shows his true hypocritical

In The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, the author presents three symbols that all reinforce the main idea of the novel. The main idea that reoccurred throughout the novel is that people don’t have to let their mistakes or circumstances determine who they are or what they become; it’s all in how one interprets life. Many symbols may seem as just an ordinary character or coincidental object to some readers, but the symbols have a deeper, underlying meaning. Although there are many symbols in this book, there are three that really help support the main idea: Hester Prynne’s scarlet letter, the meteor, and Hester’s daughter Pearl.

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.

If it is important, it is remembered. If it has any value, it will last far into the future, if not forever. This is why Michelangelo’s David, the Mona Lisa, the automobile, The Beatles, and Pride and Prejudice are all remembered. If it is the first to make an impact, it becomes important. That is when it will affect people in future generations. For example, the Model T is not produced anymore, but is the grandfather of almost every car made today, affecting jobs, businesses, people, and the world. The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne is taught today because it was one of the first important American written novels that contained obvious symbolism. Since symbolism is used in everything of literary merit, it is important to see where it started. In the same way, The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle has lasted through the years and still be prevalent today. This is achieved in the original books and continuing in spin offs and adaptations.

The Puritan era in New England was inundated with an atmosphere of righteousness and judgment. This culture spurned those who strayed from its religious codes. In his novel The Scarlet Letter, Nathaniel Hawthorne uses multiple symbols to bring a deeper meaning to the society, his characters, and to adultery. One of the motifs used comes as the character Pearl, the daughter of the two adulterers. Pearl has multiple descriptions; physically, she is “a lovely and immortal flower,” yet also “an airy sprite . . . as if she were hovering in the air and might vanish” (80, 83). She has a “wild, desperate, defiant mood” and is often referred to as a “flower,” a “bird,” and an “elf” (82, 80, 98, 87). Hawthorne uses Pearl’s multi-layered personality

She had such a kind nature and willingness to assist others that the fact that those whom she fed often returned the generosity with nothing but insults did not cause her to cease in her endeavors. Then, towards the end of the novel, after returning from Europe to the New England town in which she had sinned and repented numerous years before, Hester began to counsel other unfaithful women. For example, "Hester comforted and counseled them as best she might. She assured them, too, of her firm belief, that, at some brighter period, when the world should have grown ripe for it, in Heaven's own time, a new truth would be revealed, in order to establish the whole relation between man and woman on a surer ground of mutual happiness." This also demonstrates Hester's generosity and helpfulness. Although the New England town harbored such unpleasant memories for her, she was willing to return in order to assist others in need. She was willing to relive her own pain and absorb the pain of others in order to benefit future generations, and she was willing to give back to a society which had given nothing to her.

Throughout, “The Scarlet Letter,” Hawthorne is able to enhance the plot by intricately incorporating symbols which represent a deeper meaning. One of which, is the infamous, and ambiguous, scarlet letter that lays upon the bosom of Hester Prynne. In the beginning of the book, the audience is immediately introduced to the scarlet letter as a symbol of shame and adultery. The narrator describes the Puritan society as very judgemental and harsh. Comments like, “This woman has brought shame upon us all, and ought to die,” creates this negative and unwelcoming atmosphere which surrounds Hester for a majority of the book. From then on, the Puritans constantly refer to the

Hester Prynne was seen as a risk taker. The 17th century is the time periods in which it took place. During this time period the things Hester did were not allowed to be done. Her actions are characterized as "but greatly beyond what was allowed by the sumptuary regulations of the colony" (Hawthorne 44). What she wanted for herself was always put before what she actually needed. Because of her behavior there were consequences to go along with them. Hester slowly becomes an outcast to the society, as well as Pearl when she is born. People in the community often said a few thing about her and talked behind her back."People say," said another "that the reverend Master Dimmesdale, her godly pastor, takes it very grievous to the heart that such a scandal has come upon his congregation" (Hawthorne 107). This quote shows how the others around her are effected by her

Hester Prynne, the protagonist of the novel, is a symbol for human morality and the frailty therein. In the second chapter, when the townswomen are gossiping about Hester’s scandal, one of the women, who is

The Scarlet Letter as a Dynamic Symbol In the 17th century, Boston was home to a Puritan community whose ideals, values, and traditions were held in strict accordance to the teachings and laws of God. In order to maintain his or her public image, a Puritan man or woman would only dare to be seen or heard of doing religiously appropriate things. Those who failed to uphold the Puritan ideals were shamed, as is best shown by the enforcement of the “scarlet letter” upon Hester Prynne. However, as the story progresses, it can be questioned what the Puritans actually think of Hester and the Scarlet Letter, revealing to the reader the true nature of the Puritans. In Nathaniel Hawthorne’s, The Scarlet Letter, the scarlet letter ‘A’ is a dynamic

Symbolism is a tool often used by authors to express a deeper meaning in order to help understand the work. Nathaniel Hawthorne uses this tool in order to develop the characters in a more complex way. Throughout The Scarlet Letter, Nathaniel Hawthorne uses symbolism to uncover the true nature and emotions of the main characters Hester, Dimmesdale, and Pearl.

The Scarlet Letter written by Nathaniel Hawthorne is known to have a lot of symbolism. Symbolism is a way to convey ideas and give a book a deeper meaning to readers. While there are many symbols in the Scarlet Letter, there are a few that stand out more than others. Pearl, Hester, Dimmesdale, and Chillingworth are all main characters that have symbols. Hawthorne symbols are used to help readers relate to the story. In order to really comprehend the book the reader must understand the use of symbolism and what each of the characters represent.

In Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter, the scarlet letter “A” is the main symbol. Like any other symbol, there is not just one word or characteristic to identify it. There are many different meanings to capture the true symbolism of the scarlet letter. The letter is a result of Hester Prynne’s unlawful act, originally representing adultery, shame, sin, and guilt.

Symbolism, Sin, and The Scarlet Letter Symbolism supplies many authors with the ability to add greater impact and power to their literary work. This holds especially true for The Scarlet Letter, a novel written by Nathaniel Hawthorne. The Scarlet Letter holds within its pages many examples of symbolism, which provide for a more sophisticated and compelling plot than that of a simple novel. In The Scarlet Letter, symbolism exists as an important element utilized to reveal deeper meanings and ideas behind seemingly ordinary, hollow actions, objects, or people.