Symbols In The Scarlet Letter By Nathaniel Hawthorne

Nathaniel Hawthorne tells the story of The Scarlet Letter abridged through a woman named Hester Prynne who has conceived a child with a man other than her husband. Hester must wear the capital letter A on her bosom and is often looked down upon by the townspeople. Although her husband disappeared for two years, the Puritan culture was not tolerant when it came to adultery. Hawthorne uses a great deal of symbolism and foreshadowing throughout the story to tell the reader about the life of the Puritans in Massachusetts between the years 1642 and 1649. Symbolism is the idea of using a symbol, or an object in a story, to represent a deeper meaning, idea, or quality. One of the first and most important symbols throughout the story is the capital

However, the scarlet letter is more than just a symbol of shame. It also portrays the punishment and consequences of sin during the 1600s, and it serves as a warning to others who may be considering similar actions. The lavish embroidery around the letter marks her sin with a sense of beauty, which contradicts directly with the shame and repentance that the Puritans associate with her adultery. The Puritan women were angry at the fact that Hester almost wore the letter proudly. This idea is shown when Hester is walking through the town and the women are complimenting how clever she is with her needle, “But what a way to show it! She is meant to wear that letter as a punishment, not as something to be proud of!” (Hawthorne 5). The gold around the letter shows how there can still be beauty found within a sinner. Another very important symbol in the story is Hester’s daughter, Pearl. Pearl is a living version of her mother’s scarlet letter and functions as a physical reminder of Hester’s affair with Dimmesdale. Hester is not just a guilty sinner, but also a vibrant, passionate woman who followed her heart and desires. Instead of a negative consequence, Pearl can be seen as a blessing.