ipl-logo

Symbolic Function Of The Forest In The Scarlet Letter By Nathaniel Hawthorne

277 Words2 Pages
A symbolic function of the forest is to reflect Hester’s and Dimmesdale’s mood changes after they made the decision to leave. When Hester first enters the forest, the sunlight retracts after being touched by Hester and the brook is described as being melancholy. Such actions on the part of Nature show how dark Hester’s conscience is : she has been so marked by her shaming and the scarlet letter that she cannot even enjoy the pleasure of simple sunshine. The fact that Pearl is able to enjoy the sunshine also highlights how the shaming, not the sin, causes Hester to be unhappy: Pearl may be a result of sin but due to Pearl’s relative innocence and happiness, she is able to enjoy the sunshine. Dimmesdale himself also seems rather morose; when
Open Document