How Does Nathaniel Hawthorne Use Figurative Language In The Scarlet Letter

Both of Nathaniel Hawthorne's stories contain many forms of figurative language, but there were different effects they had on the reader in each story had on the reader. An example of the literary element, figurative language in The Scarlet Letter is explained in the following quote. “A writhing horror twisted itself across his features, like a snake gliding swiftly over them, and making one little pause with all its wreathed intervolutions in open sight” (The Scarlet Letter 57). Simile a type of figurative language, is present in the quote from the novel. Due to the fact that a simile was used to describe Chillingworth in the quote presented further enhances and explain the traits of the character. Chillingworth was Hester’s husband and was a reason why Hester

In the novel the conflict that Hester has with society and Dimmesdale with himself is partially caused by Chillingworth, and the description which describes him as a snake suites well for what his character will be like throughout the whole story. Hawthorne is very successful in using figurative language throughout his novel. The different forms of figurative language help the reader understand and visually imagine what is occurring and understand the characters as well.. The description of Chillingworth as a simile helps the reader further explore how he may influence the plot of the story. In the contrast to the novel, the figurative language from “The Minister’s Black Veil” does not have as much of an effect on the reader. As stated in the short story, “The cause of so much amazement may appear sufficiently slight. Mr. Hooper, a gentlemanly person, of about thirty, though still a bachelor, was dressed with due clerical neatness, as if a careful wife had starched his band, and brushed the weekly dust from his Sunday’s garb.”( “The Minister’s Black Veil”