The Scarlet Letter: Hidden Symbolism
"It may serve, let us hope, to symbolize some sweet moral blossom that may be found along the track, or relieve the darkening close of a tale of human frailty and sorrow" (Hawthorne 60). The Scarlet Letter, written by Nathaniel Hawthorne, although normally perceived as lifeless, is one of the most relevant and timeless novels. According to Lei, in the literary world, it is even largely considered one of the first symbolic novels published in America. The depth of symbolism found throughout the novel is truly astounding. “Throughout the novel, The Scarlet Letter, the author, Nathaniel Hawthorne uses a few key symbols to represent major themes in the book” (Erich Musick). The most significant symbols included are the scarlet letter, nature, and Pearl.
Nathaniel Hawthorne was born on July 4, 1804, in
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Pearl is seen as a devil child by the Puritan community, even making her own mother question her humanity. “...sometimes so malicious… that Hester could not help questioning, at such moments, whether Pearl was a human child” (Hawthorne 101). In the novel she is shown scaring away other children by throwing rocks at them. Described as, “An imp of evil, emblem and product of sin,” Pearl represents the scarlet A in a negative way (Hawthorne 102). Being the legitimate symbol of the scarlet letter herself, Pearl’s biggest symbolic representation is Hester’s sin. The scarlet letter was evil, hence Pearl was also perceived as evil.
The Scarlet Letter, after thorough examination, is filled with hidden symbols. This creates a sense of mystery and encourages the reader to think more about what they are reading. Throughout the novel the scarlet letter, nature, and Pearl all continue to play a huge role in symbolism. However, many more symbols and connections can be made. The Scarlet Letter is not only a novel about an adulterous woman, rather it is about finding the symbolism under each