The Meanings behind the Scarlet Letter
In The Scarlet Letter, the letter “A” becomes a lot more than a part of the alphabet. The letter “A” is a symbol that has many different meanings throughout the scarlet letter. The letter “A” was used as the symbol of sin which was adultery. The people who committed the sin were Hester Prynne and Dimmesdale. The “A” was also used to represent the product of her sin which was her daughter Pearl. The “A” had a scarlet red color to represent the fiery flames of hell. The scarlet colored “A” was also used as a reminder for Hester and those around her that even though she was not executed she must live with the sin even after death. The scarlet letter must be engraved on the tombstone of Hester and Dimmesdale to show the act of adultery lasts in the afterlife and only God can judge those involved. The feeling of shame is also shown by the Scarlet “A” due to Hester's reaction to seeing the color red and the reflection of the letter itself.
Even though the letter is meant to be a punishment it later comes to represent Hester herself among the other citizens. The letter was also used as a way to make Hester stronger, but Dimmesdale weaker due to guilt. Hester’s strong will and resourcefulness brings a meaning of ableness to the scarlet letter. Hester shared the burden of the sin with
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This is the one time that the town embraces the letter, but only because it is seen as a holy sign. The puritans viewed those with the letter as outcasts and therefore the “A” was used as a symbol of segregation. Since Pearl was the product of sin the letter was also used as the symbol of how Pearl was made. Although the Scarlet letter is used as a symbol of pain and suffering, it also symbolizes the love between Hester and Dimmesdale. Hester was also used as a living sermon, which made the “A” itself (her sin) the topic of the church