Essay On Symbolism In The Scarlet Letter

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Ryan Nguyen 10/3/15 Arr. 2 The symbolism of the letter A The Scarlet Letter written by Nathaniel Hawthorne included many deep and important symbols. The significant of symbolism was portrayed excellent in the novel, especially through the letter “A”. In the beginning, the Scarlet Letter was viewed as the symbol of sin. As the story goes on, the letter “A” was thought as a strong and good symbol and for some people, it also represents guilt. The Scarlet Letter is the best and most important symbol in this novel because it’s meaning changes throughout the story; eventhough the letter “A” mainly means sin. In the beginning of the novel, the letter was taken as a sin and a punishment. Our main character, Hester Prynne, was force to carry the…show more content…
By reaccepting this agonize guilt, it shows that Hester is now again becoming a humble and affectionate Puritan that she was. After meeting with Dimmesdale in the forest and reattach the letter, they both meet again at the market square upon the scaffold. The letter reattachment allows Hester and Dimmesdale to share a public humiliation together infront of the society. Chillingworth, the symbol of pure evil tries to dissuade the minister from his action. However, it further adds to the joy of Dimmesdale in being relieved of his secret sin: “(Chillingworth)’Madman, hold! …Wave back that woman! Cast off this child! All shall be well! …Would you bring infamy on your sacred profession?' ‘Ha, tempter! Methinks thou art to late!’ answered the minister …‘With God's help I shall escape thee now!’” (225). As Dimmesdale joins Hester onto the scaffold, all the truth are now expose. After seven years of hiding, the minister reveals right during his dying gaps as he is free from his treacherous sin: “’Is this not better,’ murmured he, ‘than what we dreamed of in the forest?’ ‘I know not! I know not!’ she hurriedly replied. ‘Better? Yea; so we may both die, and little Pearl die with us!” (227). If Hester didn’t retrieve the scarlet letter in the forest, this situation would never have existed. Dimmesdale and Hester would have run off to Europe like they planned. However, it seems like they would never be as…show more content…
The letter “A” can stand for Angel. Hester, in the end of the story had more self-esteem and she looked upon herself as a good person after her secret love is revealed. She look at the letter on her bosom in a different perspective: “The angel and apostle of the coming must be a women, indeed, but lofty, pure and beautiful, and wise, moreover, not through dusky grief, but the ethereal medium of joy” (235). Hawthorne shows us that no matter what others think of Hester, it does not seem to matter anymore to Hester: “So said Heater Prone, and glanced her eyes downward at the scarlet letter. And, after many years a new grave was delved after a sunken one...” (235). This was a perpetual impression from the how the symbolism of the letter that lies on her chest to mean angel witch was another good meaning for
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