Allegory in the scarlet letter

A detailed Summary of Allegory in the scarlet letter

Nathaniel Hawthorne, the author of the novel, The Scarlet Letter, initially suggests his novel to be allegorical in a brief introduction to the novel entitled The Custom-House. Perhaps more importantly than providing the reader with a background to the story, in this preface he attempts to convey to the reader the themes and the deeper meaning of The Scarlet Letter. He comments, "Certainly there was some deep meaning in it, most worthy of interpretation, and which, as it were, streamed forth from the mystic symbol, subtly communicating itself to my sensibilities"(Hawthorne 21). At the novel's start, Hawthorne presents to the reader the conflict that leads to the development of the characters: the proud and hard working Hester Prynne, the guilt stricken Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale, Roger Chillingworth, the devil incarnate, and the wild daughter of Hester and Dimmesdale, Pearl. Hawthorne reveals symbolism and allegory through these protagonists of the novel and their actions, thoughts, and words.

Hester Prynne, the adulteress of the novel, shines through the story not as a sinner but rather a person of "ability" and strength. From the start, Hester's reactions to the ridicule of her community portray the strength she exemplifies

As the opinions of other characters in the novel aided in portraying Chillingworth as evil, the words of others assist in portraying Pearl, the illegitimate child of Hester and Dimmesdale, as a representation of untamable and innocent passion. Described by Hawthorne as, " ...that little creature, whose innocent life had sprung...a lovely and immortal flower, out of the rank luxuriance of a guilty passion"(Hawthorne 61), Pearl, being the physical result of the love affair between Hester and Dimmesdale, was ostracized, as the affair was rejected by society. Society viewed Pearl as, "...one of those naughty elfs or fairies..."(Hawthorne 61) and attempted to remove her from Hester's parental supervision. Dimmesdale, on the other hand, believed, "...above all things else, [Pearl was meant] to keep the mother's soul alive, and to preserve her from blacker depths of sin into which Satan might else have sought to plunge her"(Hawthorne 78). As passion seemed to be unaccepted in Puritan society so was Pearl. Only nature offered a sanctuary to the wild child. She is oftentimes depicted as playing in nature, "and yet a russet gown, torn and soiled with the child's rude play, made a picture of her just as perfect"(Hawthorne 62). In nature Pearl could be free and accepted as Dimmesdale and Hester could meet ardently again and as Pearl and nature could not be tamed, neither can the lust of a love affair. Physically, Pearl also reflected the passion that she personifies often times clothed in brightly colored clothing with, "...no physical defect"(Hawthorne 61). Hawthorne describes Pearl as "...the plaything of angels, after the world's first parents were driven out"(Hawthorne 61), "...so magnificent" (Hawthorne 61), clearly only the result of an affair completely based on love and desire. The actions of Pearl, others opinions of her and her physical appearance express the strong passion her character epitomize throughout the novel.

When the reader carefully looks beyond the context and story of the novel, The Scarlet Letter, they discover a myriad of allegorical theories and philosophies created by the author, Nathaniel Hawthorne. It is defined that "A symbol becomes an allegory when the symbol becomes so obvious it overcomes the idea and character that the symbol embodies (Merriam-Webster's collegiate

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Approximate Word count = 1561
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English