The Effectiveness of Symbolism in The Scarlet Letter.

             The effectiveness of symbolism in Nathaniel Hawthorne"s, The Scarlet Letter adds to the story. Hawthorne uses symbolism in many ways throughout this novel. By adding this marvelous feature he makes it clear to what he is trying to accomplish. The scarlet letter itself is symbolic. In this novel locations, colors, and people are all major elements of symbolism that bring out the story. .

             Unlink other forms of symbolism used by Hawthorne location was a key ingredient in the creation of The Scarlet Letter. .

             She silently ascended the steps, and stood on the platform, holding little Pearl by the hand. The ministry felt for the child"s other hand, and took it. The moment that he did so, there came what seemed a tumultuous rush of new life, other life that his own, pouring like a torrent unto his heart, and hurrying through all his veins, as if the mother and the child were communicating their vital warmth to his half-torpid system. The three formed an electric chain (181).

             The scaffold is the location where most important events take place. The scaffold is, where Hester is sentenced to wear the scarlet letter, and is also the location where Dimmesdale died confessing his adultery. All public humiliation as well as punishment takes place at the scaffold. Hawthorne uses the forest is another effective use of symbolism. He shows how anything affiliated with the forest is considered evil to the Puritans, however he uses Pearl to show the forest as being beautiful and natural. .

             Winston 2.

             Hawthorne uses also color as another major form of symbolism. According to American Literary Classics, Outside the door of the prison, "the black flower of civilized society," sprung a wild rosebush in nominal of the deep sympathetic heart of Nature. Black, thus, seems to symbolize the dogmatic, harsh, and restrictive nature of Man"s law and civilized society, whereas, Red is symbolic of the open freedom of Nature.