Symbols in Scarlet Letter

A detailed Summary of Symbols in Scarlet Letter


In the novel The Scarlet Letter, Nathaniel Hawthorne used symbolism to show the importance of or the meaning of many things. It is demonstrated throughout the entirety of the novel. Henry James, a famous American novelist, said, "...there is, I think, too much. It is overdone at times, and becomes mechanical; it ceases to be impressive, and grazes triviality." One may feel as if Hawthorne did not overuse symbolism, but I agree with James's opinion. There are many cases in the novel that involve symbolism, which is overused. These cases include the letter 'A,' Pearl, and the scaffold.

The first major form of symbolism, and the most obvious, is the letter 'A', which appears in various places in the novel. The main example of the letter 'A' is the scarlet letter, which is worn by Hester Prynne. The scarlet letter was the letter 'A,' which was to be embroidered onto Hester's clothing. It symbolized Hester's sin, adultery. There are many instances that describe the 'A' as it appears on Hester's dress. Hawthorne first describes it by saying, "-was that SCARLET LETTER, so fantastically embroidered and illuminat


Another example of symbolism in The Scarlet Letter is the scaffold. The scaffold is symbolizes judgment and salvation. Throughout the entirety of chapter 3, symbolism of the scaffold is illustrated. Hester is sentenced to stand atop the scaffold for three hours to stand before God to receive her judgment; "she will be a living sermon against sin" (p.69). At the end, Dimmesdale is able to gain the strength and courage to finally confess his sin to the masses. "Stand any here that question God's judgment on a sinner? Behold! Behold a dreadful witness of it!" (p. 238). In 'The Minister's Vigil,' when all three of them, Hester, Pearl and Dimmesdale, were standing there atop the scaffold, Pearl asks Dimmesdale when they will stand there together and he replies that they will on the day of judgement (p. 149), thus they will all be judged when they stand on the scaffold together.

ed upon her bosom." (p. 51) Another usage of the letter 'A' that appears in the novel appears in chapter 12. While Hester, Dimmesdale, and Pearl were out at night, a meteor appears in the sky in the shape of an 'A.' The reader may consider th

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Category: Novels

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