Symbolism Of The Scarlet Letter By Nathaniel Hawthorne

The symbol of the letter “A” in The Scarlet Letter represents Nathaniel Hawthorne’s belief that one is not always defined by their sin. Throughout the novel, Hester faces the ignominy of the other townspeople, but she never loses her pride. Even though Hester suffers from the isolation of her punishment, she still keeps her confidence and survives her punishment with grace and pride. As the novel progresses, the letter and Hester change.

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

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

The first symbolism in the novel is how the letter “A” represents adultery. Julian Hawthorne stated, “it burns upon its wearer's breast, it casts a lurid glow along her pathway, it isolates her among mankind,” The letter “A” became part of Hester. It made her have her own glow and made her an outcast from society due to her independence and rebellious mindset. Hawthorne symbolizes the letter to represent Hester Prynne’s sin throughout the book. She,“ turned her eyes downward at the scarlet, and even touched it with her finger, to assure herself that the infant and the shame were real,” (Hawthorne,5). Hester Prynne’s sin has brought her shame because the puritans believed that humanity should live life by the bible. Additionally, in the bible it is a sin for humans to have

The scarlet letter once held the meaning of adultery, but now means something completely different. The scarlet letter now means able; it becomes the embodiment of the strength seen in Hester (Hawthorne 121). Thus giving birth the to idea that a person’s mistakes define them in the way that they choose. Hester chooses to face her iniquities which allow her to decide how this decision will define her.

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.

Hester Prynne’s character in Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter overcomes the punishment of mankind because she follows the Godly path of redemption. The Puritan society wants to brand Hester Prynne as a unfaithful sinner by forcing her to wear an “A” on her chest for the rest of her life and to stand on a scaffold for public shaming (Hawthorne 50). However, she rejects the punishment of mankind by freeing herself from the town-beadle and walks out of the prison door on her own free will (49). To further prove that only God can redeem sins, Hester lives the rest of her life following the four steps of Godly redemption. As her path of Godly redemption continues on, the symbol of the “A” on her chest also changes. The Puritan leaders intend the “A” to be view as a symbol of adultress; however, the townspeople later

Symbolism is a literary technique that is used to clarify the author's intent. Sometimes it is used to great effect, while other times it only seems to muddle the meaning of a passage. In "Young Goodman Brown," Nathaniel Hawthorne uses objects and people as symbols to allegorically reveal his message to the reader.

Symbolism is simply defined as the use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities. Symbolism is a common occurrence in literary works and many books use symbolism to express mystical ideas, emotions, and states of mind. As in most literary works, symbolism also appears in The Scarlet Letter. There is lots of symbolism used in The Scarlet Letter to convey multiple things and to express many ideas. Symbolism can be found everywhere in The Scarlet Letter and many of the symbols that appear play very important roles in the progression of the story and give the reader a better understanding of the idea that Hawthorne is trying to get across. Hawthorne intentionally uses symbolism in The Scarlet Letter to convey

“The same platform or scaffold, black and weather-stained with the storm or sunshine of seven long years.” (Hawthorne p.99). In most novels, symbols are introduced to the readers often through prevalent attributes. In The Scarlet Letter, by Nathaniel Hawthorne, there are many people, places, and objects that hold a more complex meaning than it’s shown to be. This novel, containing shame, secrets, and ultimately retribution is shown with many characters and situations. These symbolic ideas are used throughout The Scarlet Letter to bring deep connections between the characters and the story. The symbols usually appear to have a literal or vague meaning to them throughout the story, yet they can be key details that change in meaning as the

The “Scarlet Letter”, by Nathaniel Hawthorne, is a novel about a woman named Hester Prynne who has committed the heinous act of adultery. Throughout the novel, Hester is condemned to wearing the letter “A”, a.k.a. the scarlet letter. Hester and her daughter Pearl are shunned by the community while the identity of the man who committed adultery with Hester remains a secret. In the novel, Hester’s old husband comes to Boston to find and exact revenge on that man. There are many uses of symbolism and allusions throughout the book. However, Hawthorne most prominently uses the scarlet letter “A”, Hester’s daughter, Pearl, and Roger Chillingworth as symbols in the book.

erNathaniel Hawthorne Contents Read the Translation Context Plot Overview Character List Analysis of Major Characters Hester Prynne Roger Chillingworth Arthur Dimmesdale Pearl Themes, Motifs & Symbols Summary & Analysis The Custom-House: Introductory Chapters 1–2 Chapters 3–4 Chapters 5–6 Chapters 7–8 Chapters 9–10 Chapters 11–12 Chapters 13–14 Chapters 15–16 Chapters 17–18 Chapters 19–20 Chapters 21–22 Chapters 23–24 Expand Important Quotations Explained Key Facts Study Questions & Essay Topics Quizzes Suggestions for Further Reading How to Cite This SparkNote Share this Sparknote Share on Twitter

Symbolism of The Scarlet Letter A symbol is a literary device which is employed to portray another object or individual. In the Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, it is most often a tangible object he uses to represent an undefined idea, complex in scope and significance. More times than not, it represents reverent, profound, or virtuous concepts of merit. From the substitution of one idea or object for another, to creations as massive, complex, and perplexing as the veil in the Minister's Black veil, are the domain symbols may encompass. Hawthorne's notable and unique use of the inanimate letter A, the scenery of the rose bush, and the settings of forest to make the characters -Hester, Dimmesdale, Chillingworth, and Pearl- into

Discuss Hawthorne’s use of Symbolism and its Significance to the Themes of the novel -The Scarlet Letter