Symbolism and the Scarlet Letter
A detailed Summary of Symbolism and the Scarlet Letter
Symbolism is traditionally a sign or token of something. In the matter
of literature, the definition of the literary device, symbolism, is
more complicated. Symbols of literature are usually metaphysical. The
main symbol of The Scarlet Letter is the red "A" that Hester Prynne was
sentenced to wear on her chest. Nathaniel Hawthorne's intention was to
make the meaning of the crimson token worn on the bosom of Hester
Prynne is highly ambiguous. In this he was successful. Although the
"A" means "adulteress" to the people of Boston, to reader the "A" may
have other meanings such as "American" or "able". To the townspeople,
author, and reader clearly the original intention of the "A" was to
stand for "adulteress". When Hester Prynne became pregnant during the
absence of her husband she was accused and convicted of adultery. Her
sentence was to wear a scarlet letter "A" on her bosom to let everyone
know that she was an adulteress, forevermore. Because of her unique
sentence everyone knew that she was, in fact, an adulteress and people
treated her that way. Society condemned her for her sin, without
knowing anything else. Hester was forced to live alone on the

important accomplishment was her ability to overcome her sentence. She
intention of the "A" was to mark Hester Prynne as an adulteress, it
symbolizes America, is that they were both shaped by past actions. No
and embrace who she was, not what she was labeled as. The main symbol
separated from her husband for 2 years. She thought he might be at the
the story, and symbolism is a major literary device of the story. The
she was an adulteress, or that she was proud to be. Hester's daughter,
Some common words found in the essay are:
Hester Prynne, Hester Prynne's, Scarlet Letter, Pearl Hester, John Hathorne, Puritan Boston, Letter Symbolism, Plymouth Hampshire, Franklin Pierce, Custom House, hester prynne, scarlet letter, custom house, hester prynne's, hester prynne wore, main symbol, symbol scarlet, prynne adulteress, letter red, letter hester, franklin pierce, boston custom house, symbol scarlet letter, hester prynne adulteress, scarlet letter red,
Approximate Word count = 1717
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page double spaced)
Category: English
Saved Paper
Newest Essays
- My Personal Value System
- Iraq and High Energy...
- The Development of English...
- Critique of a Research...
- Visiting the Elderly in...
Testimonials
-
"Thank You So Much!!! You have saved me once again!!!"
Jack M. -
"With so many papers to chose from, I was able to get ideas to help me with all of my classes. Thank You!"
Brian P. -
"I've used this site for the last 3 years to help me come up with ideas for my papers."
Sara J. -
"I use this site every week to help me write my own papers!"
Rachel W. -
"I love this site!!!"
Marie N.
