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What Does The Scaffold Symbolize In The Scarlet Letter

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Symbolism in The Scarlet Letter Nathaniel Hawthorne did exemplary work in writing The Scarlet Letter. This book is a great representation of how all modern symbolism should be presented. Hawthorne presents his symbolism in a precise and detailed manner. Unlike some books the symbolism in The Scarlet Letter is apparent for all readers. Many believe that the symbols in this book are what make the book intriguing. The symbols in this book are so superb, it creates a standard of symbolism that all allegories must follow to be a quality piece. The symbolism in the book creates thoughts and ideas about each character and how objects and places can be related to reality. These symbols create opportunities for the reader to imagine and get him or her …show more content…

In the beginning of the book, Hester stands on the Scaffold with her newborn baby while the town shames her for the sin that she has committed. At this point in the book, Hawthorne is using the Scaffold as a place for her to be martyred . In the middle of the book Dimmesdale is torturing himself and goes to the Scaffold in the middle of the night. While he is standing there he sees Hester and Pearl and asks them to come up to the Scaffold to stand with him. This is the first time that Dimmesdale is opening up emotionally to the reader. This shows all of the shame and humilty he has for the sin he has committed . At the end of the book Dimmesdale stands with Hester and Pearl on the Scaffold, same as before, but this time it is in a different spirit. Instead of feeling shame, Dimmesdale is finally feeling redemption for the sin he has committed. In this moment Roger Chillingworth tells Dimmesdale that “this is the only place that you could escape me” implying that he had committed his life to torturing him, but now that he is on the Scaffold redeeming himself he can no longer torture

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In the first few chapters, the scaffold serves as the exposition of the novel to introduce Hester’s “walk of shame” and Dimmesdale’s absence from the very same fate. During the first scene, Hester is “dragged out into the sunshine” and displayed to “the crowd of spectators” (38). Hester likely feels dreadful as she is like a circus animal viewed upon by people uncaring about her physical well being and only worried about the entertainment. She is “dragged” into the sunlight; hence, she is being forcibly extracted from her one hiding place, the dark jail, and exposed so that everyone can see her guilt. By likening

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Symbolism Within The Scarlet Letter Hawthorne created symbolism throughout The Scarlet Letter in order to develop the theme throughout Hester’s life. Hester is portrayed as a sheltered soul, shunned from society due to her adulterous acts. The red A and her daughter, Pearl, are symbols of Hester’s shame which she bares proudly despite society's harsh judgements. Hawthorne is able to use symbolism to develop themes, characters, and analogies in the Scarlet Letter.

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Symbolism is a major device used in literature. It helps explain that words are not just meanings. Symbolism shows that words can be explained by using images or objects. In Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451, symbols help emphasize the themes in the story. The major themes are the Hearth and the Salamander, fire and blood.

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Hawthorne shows how the guilt and sin have overcome Dimmesdale, which will lead to his death. Hawthorne’s word choice with this line shows how Dimmesdale must die following the terrible actions he has committed and not owning up to any of them. With this curt word choice, he is able to show how Dimmesdale must die for hiding the truth and how this overwhelming guilt has taken over him altogether. Dimmesdale internal guilt with himself continues to build and eventually leads him to his death, while Hester’s public guilt and shame does not affect her as greatly and she is able to continue with her life in an easier way than Dimmesdale. Dimmesdale is shown on the Scaffold looking at Hester and Pearl with “a ghastly look” on his face, but was also said to be “tender and strangely triumphant in it” (206).

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Rosebush/Symbol- One example of symbolism in the Scarlet Letter is the rosebush where Hawthorne says “Finding it so directly on the threshold of our narrative”. I think that the rosebush represents the past and when the crimes in the colony weren’t as severe. The rosebush’s colors are the joy that the town experienced back before all of the adultery and major crimes had been committed. Hawthorne chose the rosebush because the rosebush also has thorns that go along with the beautiful petals, which represent how there are always bad things that will happen and those are inevitable.

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Pearl is also a reminder to him since he’s responsible, too. The irony of the story’s conflict is that Hester took the blame on herself. In this part of the chapter, Hawthorne shows Dimmesdale’s regret for his isolation; Hester took all the blame on herself, seemingly because she still loves him. The scaffold represents punishment, and Dimmesdale missed out on everything that poor Hester had to endure.

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Symbolism: What types of symbolism do you find in this novel? What do these objects really represent? How do characters react to and with these symbolic objects? Why are these objects significant, or why are their representations significant? (5)

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The book The Scarlet Letter by Nathanial Hawthorne has symbolism all throughout it. People and objects are symbolic of events and thoughts. Throughout the book, Nathaniel Hawthorne uses Hester, Pearl, and Arthur Dimmesdale to signify philosophies that are evident during this time period. Hester Prynne, through the eyes of the Puritans, is an extreme sinner; she has gone against their ways, committing adultery. For this sin, she must wear a symbol of shame for the rest of her life.

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Symbolism in literature was appeared in mid 19th century in France. It is the use of an item that causes the reader to think about what it stands for. The meaning it holds depends in the individual. Therefore, different people may have different understanding to the same

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It reveals how the character Dimmesdale evolves as time progresses, in the beginning he asks Hester to stand with him so he can confess his sins but only for a minute because he doesn't want to admit the sin. This adds to the guilt that increases with time but also foreshadows his final coming out with the truth and death caused by this action. Hester's past will always be apart of her although others have forgotten about the sin that tore her life apart. The scarlet letter becomes apart of her and also turns into a symbol of redemption and how she overcame the difficulties in her life. Although she was emotionally tormented as a young woman she was able to overcome and become a light to others.

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When Dimmesdale invites Hester and pearl onto the scaffold he says, “‘Come up hither, Hester, thou and Little Pearl,” sand the reverend Mr. Dimmesdale. “Ye have both been here before, but I was not with you. Come up hither once again, and we will stand all three other.”’ (Hawthorne 101). Dimmesdale felt guilty for not confessing his sin when Hester was going through her humiliation.

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Because of the effects that Dimmesdale’s sin had on those living in his society, his sin is the greatest of all those presented in the novel, as illustrated by Hawthorne through Dimmesdale’s interactions with others. Because, unlike Hester, Dimmesdale hides his sin from the

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“Symbolism is the use of symbols to signify ideas and qualities by giving them symbolic meanings that are different from their literal sense.” Symbols can add a deeper meaning than just an object itself that the author is trying to make. Symbols can also foreshadow what is yet to come. The audience can interpret a symbol in many ways it depends on their experience. In Southside Chicago the Younger family is struggling to have hope as they are always facing society.

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In the book, The Scarlet Letter, the author Nathaniel Hawthorne uses symbolism to bolster the characters and to help the readers get a better understanding of them. Symbolism is used by writers to better relate to objects. Some examples of symbolism would be in chapter 7. These would have to include: Pearl/the scarlet letter, the sunlight on Governor Bellingham’s mansion, and the reflection within the suit of armor. These three examples are the most paramount to help to reveal the characters and to distribute Hawthorne’s message.

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Symbolism in general is the building blocks to all sources of literature and can shape a piece of writing in many ways. Symbols in general can portray what something or someone represents, giving a deeper and metaphorical meaning to a symbol. Symbolism is often used within poetry, literature, music, or even art. This is how an author conveys a different meaning to the audience. For example artists may use the color “red” not only because of the color theory, but to convey love, passion, and maybe even health.

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