Figurative Language In The Scarlet Letter

The novel “The Scarlet Letter”, written by Natheniel Hawthorne is overflowing with figurative language, symbolism, and many other thematic subjects that have important roles within the story. Hester Prynne is the unfortunate bearer of the scarlet letter which is a symbol of her adulterous ways. Throughout the novel she is condemned yet admired for this small golden laced letter on her chest. This letter might seem insignificant but it turned her life upside down. The letter “A” on Hester’s chest came with many disadvantages, the main one being the brutal way she was treated. The puritan ideology ran rampant throughout the story which is why Hester Prynne was treated inhumanely. Nathaniel Hawthorne condemned Hester many times throughout the

Nathaniel Hawthorne developed the townspeople to not only tolerate but eventually praise her for her courage and bravery. In “The Scarlet Letter” it states, “...many people refused to interpret the scarlet ‘A’ by its original signification. They said it meant ‘Able’; so strong was Hester Prynne, with a woman's strength.” This line is significant because after all of the embarrassment of walking around and being mocked for the letter, she is finally accepted by everyone for her courageousness. Finally, after many have eulogized her for the letter “A” she is given the offer of a lifetime to remove the reminder of her affair, however she refuses to take her letter away. Nathiel Hawthorne states, “ ‘It was debated whether or no, with safety to the common weal, yonder scarlet letter might be taken off your bosom.’ “, to which Hester replies, “ ‘Were I worthy to be quit of it, it would fall away of its own nature, or be transformed into something that should speak a different purport.’ “ Hester has made some serious character development when it comes to her letter. Nathaniel Hawthorne made it clear that she has figuratively shaped the scarlet letter into something of admirability and bravery and it is simply not just a reminder of an