Relinquishing the truth often results in both rightful punishment of the culprit and ease of mind, however, dishonesty provides a host of benefits. Coincidentally, Nathaniel Hawthorne showcases such benefits in his novel The Scarlet Letter. In the first chapter of the novel, Hawthorne describes a single rose bush signifying a sort of mercy for inmates in front of a prison of Puritan Boston. Although many interpret the rose bush as a symbol of hope, it best symbolizes deception for self-security, which is evident in the characters’ reluctance to reveal identities and the beautiful, yet dangerous nature of the rose bush itself. Now, throughout the Scarlet Letter, most of the cast, predominately Hester Prynne, employ dishonesty to ensure safety