Hawthorne's Symbolism In 'The Scarlet Letter A'

One symbol that Hawthorne implements to communicate this burden throughout the novel is the scarlet letter that Hester wears upon her chest. The scarlet letter "A”, which symbolizes Hester's adultery, is meant to be a symbol of shame, but it latter becomes part of Hester's identity.”Hawthorne informs us that the scarlet letter has "the effect of a spell, taking her out of the ordinary relations with humanity, and enclosing her in a sphere by herself “(Bloom 2). Bloom states that Hester is a separate person as a result of her sin and the letter which represents it. The scarlet letter is a burden that Hester has to carry everyday and the symbol which secluded her from the society. Hester using her sewing skills embroidered the letter.”It was so artistically done, and with so much fertility and gorgeous luxuriance of fancy, that it had all the effect of a last and fitting decoration to the apparel which she wore” (Hawthorne 40). Embroidering the letter made it stand out instead of it blending in. She transformed it into a badge of shame into a

She is considered an unfit mother for so undisciplined a child. Since Pearl is the source of her happiness as well as her torment, Hester is determined to keep her. Though Hester is shunned from the society and is a single mother, she still feels that she can do a good job of raising Pearl. She demands Dimmesdale to intercede for her and indicated that she will do anything to keep Pearl.”Speak thou for me…Thou wast my pastor, and hadst charge of my soul, and knowest me better than these men can” (Hawthorne 86). This statement illustrates Hester courage to stand up to a man of authority and also being that she is in a room with other powerful men. She faced with the possibility of losing her daughter, and stood there fighting to keep Pearl against the head of the community and