American Literature is drenched in symbolism, and The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne is no exception. In literature, a symbol is an object used to represent an abstract idea, and throughout this novel we can uncover a myriad of symbols; however, the main example is the scarlet letter "A" the heroine, Hester Prynne, is mandated to wear on her bosom--a corpulent, burdensome symbol that changes throughout the course of the novel. As the novel commences, the Scarlet letter "A" is seen as a symbol of sin
From controversial themes of mortal sin, humanistic identity, and distinguished religion, The Scarlet Letter, written by Nathaniel Hawthorne in 1850, is recognized as one of the most acclaimed gothic novels inspired by the Puritan life. Hawthorne sets this novel in Boston, Massachusetts around 1642, in the times were Puritanism was focused on developing the Church of England into an earnest and severe society for God (Puritanism). Above all, “Church was the cornerstone of the mainly Puritan society
In the Scarlet Letter, Pearl, Hester’s daughter served as a symbol. Pearl was a result of her Mother, Hester Prynne’s adultery. Even Pearl's clothes contribute to her symbolic purpose in the novel by making an association between her, the scarlet letter, and Hester's passion. Much to the consternation of her Puritan society, Hester dresses Pearl in outfits of gold or red or both. As for her disposition, the reading reads that Pearl has a “perfect shape”, “a native grace,” and “natural dexterity.”
A Sign of Many Meanings An Analysis of Symbolism in "The Scarlet Letter" Early American literature holds an important part in the history of the United States. There are many legendary writers who composed very prominent novels or stories that led to the shaping of early America. These same authors didn't only help with the shaping, but they often explained it, many times exposing the evils of society and the personal experience of the victims of society. To get their point across, many of these
Alex Almer Mrs. Voshell Honors English 10 8 January 2016 Nathaniel Hawthorne’s Use of Symbolism in The Scarlet Letter Nathaniel Hawthorne uses a large amount of symbolism in his book, The Scarlet Letter. “The characters and the action are soaked in symbolism” (Wagenknecht 61). Symbolism is the use of an object, character, or event to represent something else. Hawthorne uses the symbols in the book to convey the meanings of the story in a creative, interesting way. Hawthorne uses all of the main
Author Study on “The Scarlet Letter” and “The House of the Seven Gables” by Nathaniel Hawthorne Nathaniel Hawthorne is a very unique and distinctive author. By reading some of his works, it is very easy to recognize Hawthorne’s writing style. For this author study, of all of his novels, I have chosen only two books to review. The first book I read is “The Scarlet Letter”. The second book I read was “The House of the Seven Gables”. Both books are undoubtedly written by Hawthorne and are very fine
Symbolism in The Scarlett Letter The Scarlett Letter, by Nathaniel Hawthorne, is unique based on a plethora of symbols and motifs. Throughout the novel, Hawthorne applies these symbols to represent the central themes in the novel. As one of the most creative symbolists in American Literature, understanding Hawthorne requires an in depth analysis of his symbols in order to grasp them accurately. Generally speaking, a symbol is a literary device that contains several layers of meaning, often concealed
The Scarlet Letter Essay The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne is an intriguing novel that uses romanticism and symbolism to depict a natural setting throughout the book in various ways. Also, the novel’s many representations create a specific theme in the novel, which is man and the natural world. Additionally, The Scarlet Letter uses romanticism as a way of describing sin. Romanticism is a literary movement of the late 1700’s which poets created an effect of individualism, an emotional ecstasy
In the short story YOUNG GOODMAN BROWN, the author Nathaniel Hawthorne explores the theme of Faith and Religion. He uses the metaphor of a journey through the forest, at night, where Young Goodman Brown has to face his ideas of faith and beliefs, as well as his vision of good and evil. In YOUNG GOODMAN BROWN by Nathaniel Hawthorne the author uses symbolism to describe the character’s inner journey, questioning the moral and religious values that were inherited from his family.and molded into his
in The Scarlet Letter The Scarlet Letter isn’t just about a woman dealing with the sin of adultery but a woman who faces many different hardships and obstacles to build her character. Nathaniel Hawthorne, the author of The Scarlet Letter, wrote the novel during a time when religion was very strict, corrupt, and harsh. Hester, the main character of the novel, has a child named Pearl with another man that is not her husband. Hester has to stand on the scaffold for an hour and wear a scarlet letter