The Symbolism Of Sin In The Scarlet Letter

⅔ of Americans admit to being a sinner. In Puritan times, sinning was the end of the world even though most of the population was guilty of it. In Hawthorne’s novel, this is seen through many characters, and he uses different ways to portray sin. In The Scarlet Letter, Hawthorne uses symbolism to illustrate sin. An example of this symbolism is the scarlet letter itself. Hester’s scarlet “A” represents sin in The Scarlet Letter. Hawthorne states, “They averred, that the symbol was not mere scarlet cloth, tinged in an earthly dye-pot, but was red-hot with infernal fire, and could be seen glowing all alight, whenever Hester Prynne walked abroad in the night-time” (Hawthorne, 82). This symbolizes sin being seen as “glowing” and unable to be hidden.

We see that here, "It was a remarkable attribute of this garb, and, indeed, of the child's whole appearance, that it irresistibly and inevitably reminded the beholder of the token which Hester Prynne was doomed to wear upon her bosom. It was the scarlet letter in another form; the scarlet letter endowed with life!" (Hawthorne, 101–102), Pearl is being dressed and used as a living symbol. Pearl fully represents the scarlet letter Hester must wear. She is a living reminder of Hester’s sin. "It is her role to enforce the mother’s guilt as well as to represent her rebellion" (Baym). Pearl acts as if she were a demon child, very impulsive and obstinate. This is a representation of Hester’s rebellion committing her crime of adultery but reanimated in Pearl. She also is supposed to show sin being “satan-like” since it’s an offense against God. “Perhaps Hawthorne's custom-house eagle is a symbol of both Hester and Pearl—and of their combined magnitude in terms of their influence on the community, our nation, and, more particularly, on women in general" (Daniels). The eagle presented to us in the “Custom House Letter” could be symbolism for Pearl. The eagle stands intimidatingly, possibly illustrating Pearl’s influence over Hester since Pearl represents her sin. These 3 quotes help support the fact Pearl is a symbol in The Scarlet Letter. Pearl helps the reader understand sin

In the climax of The Scarlet Letter Dimmesdale says, “At last—at last---I stand upon the spot where, seven years since, I should have stood.” (Hawthorne, 240) while standing on the scaffold. This scene illuminates the struggle Dimmesdale had with sin. He goes onto the scaffold for his “final redemption” and dies once confessing. He felt so much better after confessing, from sin eating him up inside, that he transcended life. This symbolizes sin being released after being confessed. "Dimmesdale gives a successful “staged performance” in which he allows his soul to triumph over his body." This author describes the scaffold as being a place of performance, or a stage. Dimmesdale is seen lying or hiding his secret multiple times on this scaffold, so when he finally confesses it is his final “staged performance”. "His sense of personal sin is overwhelming to the point of moral blindness. By keeping him from joining Hester and Pearl on the public scaffold, it leads him to add hypocrisy and falseness to sin." For one of his “performances”, he refuses to be on the scaffold with Hester and Pearl. The scaffold symbolizes Dimmesdale’s shame and guilt over his sin. The scaffold is a big part of Dimmesdale’s journey with sin, starting with his guilt and ending in his ultimate