The Theme Of Symbolism InThe Scarlet Letter By Nathaniel Hawthorne

Pearl’s existence reminds Hester of her act of passion, which the cultural morality of Boston dictates as sinful. This is evident not only because Pearl is the product of Dimmesdale and Hester’s action, but because of who Pearl is at heart. Pearl’s personality is as stated,

     Hester Prynne, through the eyes of the Puritans, is an extreme sinner. She has gone against the Puritan ways by committing Adultery. The Puritans believed that Hester was a lost soul that could only be saved by sincere and thorough repentance. For this

Despite the isolation, Hester supports herself and Pearl with nothing but her inner strength. She is able to deal with the negativity from the townspeople and the local government, and is even able to be honest and compassionate in ways such as acknowledging her sin, keeping the identity of her

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.

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

Come, therefore, and let us fling mud at them!”(120). Flinging mud at Hester and Pearl is extremely disrespectful, nonetheless they do it anyways until Pearl scares them off. Even if they didn’t have mud spattered all over them it must have made her feel bad that even the young kids dislike her for her sins. The town hates Hester as can be seen by this, “‘This woman has brought shame upon us all, and ought to die’”(60). People wanting her dead is extremely harsh for having a baby and not saying who the father is when she is protecting him from the harshness of the crowd as well. Hester has been doing a good thing for Minister Dimmesdale so no one knows that he is the father. Keeping the secret from the crowd is difficult for she is suffering because it would be a lot easier if she told who the father is, but she is keeping it in and it is easier to let things out than keep them in. The Minister is never there for his child which can also impact him by making him depressed.

Dimmesdale is the town’s reverend, whom is looked upon as god by the town’s people. But what no one knows is that he has committed a sin in which he will not tell anyone. This is his greatest secret and greatest fear. This secret he holds is causing his health to deteriorate and cause his to be very ill. Instead of him confessing his sin he chooses to inflict self-punishment; such as fasting, scourging, and all night vigils. He committed the sin of adulthood with Hester Prynn, this sin caused Hester to bear a child. Reverend Dimmesdale is connected to Hester by their child pearl.

“She approaches and affects Hester and Dimmesdale appropriately different ways suited to the capacity of each to receive and understand her meaning” (McNamara 540). This shows that Pearl can change Hester and Dimmesdale. “An imp of evil, emblem and product of sin” (Hawthorne 103). This shows that the townspeople of Boston see her as a product of sin. Pearl has many different roles in this novel.

Hester found love with the town’s minister, Dimmesdale. Hester later became pregnant, by Dimmesdale and gave birth to Pearl. The town’s people treated Hester and Pearl harshly dismissing them from the community. Judging others doesn’t defined who they are but it defines the person who is doing the judging, counting others sins doesn’t make us saints. We have to come to the understanding that all fall short, this means no one is immaculate, making it challenging not to judge others when their sin is placed on them.

Hester explains her questionable feelings to Dimmesdale. She describes Pearl as her most precious treasure, but her attitude and actions make others think less of her.. Their relationship is crucial to the novel since the community shuns from society for their differences due to Hester’s sin. Dimmsdale responds with, “I have long shrunk from children, because they often show distrust- a backwardness to be familiar with me.” (186).

She came, not as a guest, but as a rightful inmate, into the household that was darkened by trouble” (146). This proves that even though Hester was left alone, her actions change the views of the community around her: “They said that it meant Able; so strong was Hester Prynne, with a woman’s strength” (146). Hester’s abilities surprise community members helping her gain respect from the residents in the Puritan town.

Not only do the puritans of her society see her as troubled, strange, and the child born out of wedlock, they simply cannot fathom her. An example of this situation is when Hester

Symbolism is a key component within all of literature and this is especially true for Nathaniel Hawthorne’s iconic novel, The Scarlet Letter. The most prominent one is the scarlet “A” the lead protagonist, Hester wears as a result of her sin. However, this “A” is not only represented through Hester and transformation, but also through another main character in Dimmesdale and his sins as well. The relationship between the two characters and their marks is a symbol within itself as it shows the distinct perspectives and outcomes resulting from the same source. Although Hester and Dimmesdale both commit the same crime of adultery together, they follow very different paths to completely divergent conclusions.