Symbolism Of The Scarlet Letter By Nathanial Hawthorne

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.

As the novel progresses the meaning of the symbolism of the letter “A” starts ti blossom into a new meaning. Toward the climax of the novel Hester Prynne’s appearance is altered to where she is no longer viewed as a sinner. The meaning on the symbol changes from of the devil to a some what vague symbol, as if it has lost its initial connotation. Society now views her a symbol that differs whom she really is, she is viewed as a strong woman through all the torment that is put in a unfortunate situation. At this point Hester has already learned how to dealt with the burden of the scarlet letter. Withstanding the pressures of society boiling down waiting patiently for Hester Prynne to crack, she does not, she grows into a stronger woman. A woman that has gone through hell and back and continues to thrive in her society even under the circumstances she lives in. The scarlet letter “A” meaning has changed, “ hatred, by a gradual and quiet process, will even be transformed to love, unless the change be impeded by a continually new irritation of the original feeling of hostility” (Hawthorne 147). Slowly Hester’s hard feelings toward the letter, and to the situation itself, begins to diminish. However, it is

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.

There are many forms of symbolism found in The Scarlet Letter. Hawthorne, the author uses his many forms of symbolism to project a lesson or moral created throughout the story. Even each of the main characters has a different moral representation. Guilt, repentance, purity, and strength each are shown through the eyes of a different character. Pear, Hester Prynne, Chillingworth, and Reverend Dimmesdale are main characters that are used to show that you should “Be true! Be true! Be true! Show freely to the world, if not your worst, yet some trait whereby the worst may be inferred!”(Hawthorne286)

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

Hoping to preserve his reputation and protect the one she loves, Hester Prynne refuses to betray her accomplice and as a punishment for her sin, is sentenced to wear a scarlet letter A on her breast. The first and most obvious symbol is the scarlet letter itself. Throughout the story the scarlet letter takes on a variety of symbols and meanings, while remaining true to its original meaning. The letter is first presented as a punishment, meant to represent Hester’s sin of adultery, hence the letter A (Schmoop). Later in the story, the scarlet letter is presented in a new manner, as time goes on and Hester’s life of saint like service and discipline overshadow her sin, the letter too gains new symbolic meaning (Schmoop). While the

Webster defined "symbol" with these words: "Something concrete that represents or suggests another thing that cannot in itself be pictured." This concept has been particularly applied to literature and used by writers throughout history. Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter uses multitudes of symbols in such a manner. One of the most prominent, and most complicated, of such symbols is the scarlet letter "A". The scarlet letter "A" is a symbol of a daughter's connection to her mother, isolation, and the devil and its associations.

Anyone who has read Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter is familiar with the letter “A” adorning Hester Prynne’s bosom. This demonstration of her crime is described by the townspeople as “a mark of shame upon her bosom.” Although it remains the common conception of the citizens that the demonic symbol represents the passionate sin of Adultery it is, however, not the case. The reader must allow it to remain abaft in their mind that nowhere in The Scarlet Letter does Hawthorne use the words “Adultery” or “Adulteress”. The lack of textual evidence ALLOWSdifferent meanings to be attributed to the value of the “A” upon deeper analysis. Throughout the novel, the “A” has a tendency to symbolize Hawthorne’s Ambiguous tone

In the beginning of the novel, we learn that Hester Prynne committed the sin of adultery. Hester’s punishment delivered to her by the town was public humiliation, as well as being forced to wear an embroidered letter “A” on her chest at all times, “the "A"

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.

It stood as the visual reminder of the adultery she had committed. During the first few years she had worn the letter upon her bosom, she was treated horribly. Parents told their children to stay away from her, everyone mocked her, and made her feel a severe amount of shame and guilt that was highly overdone. Whenever Hester agreed to live the rest of her life with the “A” embroidered on her chest she knew that “Heaven hath granted thee an open ignominy” (62), meaning that she

     In the beginning of the story, Hester is being punished for adultery, and is forced to wear the letter A on her bosom. It is shown so that people will know her as an

Symbolism has many different meanings, and the Scarlet ‘A’ in “The Scarlet Letter” has many different meanings as well. Hester Prynne is the main character who is forced to wear the scarlet letter as remembrance for the crime and the sin that she has committed. This letter completely ruined her reputation in her community. How could a small piece of fabric do so much harm? This letter was a representation of something much greater than the letter ‘A’. This letter was originally made to stand for adulteress, as physical reminder of her sins. The vibrant scarlet red is meant to shame Hester, to make her feel sorry for her mistakes. Most importantly it was a symbol for change and an emblem of identity. In short, the scarlet letter meant much more than a letter of shame, it was simply a piece of fabric with meaning that could easily change.

The Scarlet Letter that all Women Wear The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne is one of the earliest works of literature to bring a voice to women’s struggles. Feminism is often seen throughout the book represented by Hester Prynne, a woman being persecuted on the charges of adultery. Hester is a feminist symbol; she represents the resiliency and mistreatment of women.

     In the novel, there are four different versions of the letter “A”. The first is presented at the beginning of the book, where Hester is forced to wear a scarlet letter “A” upon her breast. The second occurrence is during the second scaffold