Scarlet Letter

A detailed Summary of Scarlet Letter

The Ambiguity Use of Symbolism in "The Scarlet Letter"

Nathaniel Hawthorne's novel, The Scarlett Letter, uses a lot of symbolism in the story that represents several meanings within the context of the story. Hawthorne uses symbolism to add greater meaning to the story. Objects such as the prison, rosebush, scaffold, meteor, forest, brook, and little Pearl are all important symbols in Hawthorne's novel. The most obvious and principal symbol in the novel is the scarlet letter "A", which has several meanings. Each symbol has a special significance that reveals a secret, the theme of the story and it also resembles the character's personality.

The author opens his story with the description of the prison and the prison door. The prison is described as an "ugly edifice" and as the "black flower of civilized society" (1131). The prison is a symbol of loneliness and estrangement from the rest of the world. This "foreshadows the life that Hester will lead" even after she is released from prison. Hester lives in a "prison of alienation". She moves away from the town, but remains near. She lives a secluded life on the outskirts of the town. Hester alienates herself from the rest of the town people and tries to avoid any con

As stated before, Hawthorne opens the chapter by introducing the significance of the prison that opens the "tale of human frailty and sorrow". However, he also includes a wild rosebush that with its charm gives a "fragrance and fragile beauty to the prisoner" (Hawthorne 1131). The wild rosebush symbolizes the "sweet and moral blossom" of the story. Its beauty surpasses all that is around it and its color gives life to the ugliness of the prison. It may represent that despite the tragic tale of Hester, God might have some pity on her and her child. The rosebush can also symbolize the scarlet letter on Hester's bosom. Hester has to wear this letter as a sign of her sin. Hester transforms this plain letter into an elaborately gold embroidered A. The more she garnishes the letter with gold thread, the less the people notice it. As the years pass by, the letter that once stood for adultery, seems to have changed its meaning and is no longer seen as a sign of sin, but as a sign of a person in goodness and loveliness.

Pearl is also a very significant symbol in the novel. Pearl is the symbol of Hester and Reverend Dimmesdale's forbidden love. She is the fruit of their immoral love affair. Like the scarlet letter A, Pearl is a constant reminder to Hester of her shame and sin. Pearl is "the scarlet letter endowed with life!' But despite of this Hester's "first impulse to clasp the infant closely to her bosom" was her reaction when she stood on the scaffold the first time. Pearl also represents "the great price" that Hester will pay for her sin. Pearl is the only thing of value that Hester has in her life.

The most important symbol in this story is the scarlet letter A. This symbol can have several different meanings depending on the context of the story. This letter is given to Hester as a symbol of her adultery. The purpose of this letter is to publicly punish and humiliate h

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Approximate Word count = 1286
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English