The scarlet letter, given to Hester Prynne as an eternal condemnation for committing adultery, is symbolic of change. While it initially symbolizes sin, the scarlet letter ultimately symbolizes the change and development in Hester over the course of the book physically and in the way that she is seen by society as she experiences cruelty from the people surrounding her. An, “ignominious letter on her breast,” the scarlet letter is initially seen as a horrible sin (41). Hester was a fine and polished
Symbolism in The Scarlet Letter “A true symbol is substantial, not accidental. You cannot avoid it; you cannot remove it.” - Saul Bellow, Nobel Prize winner in Literature. Nathaniel Hawthorne, author of The Scarlet Letter, does an excellent job of using symbolism to clarify serious ideas in his novel. An example of Hawthorne’s use of symbolism would be his placement of sunshine, which symbolizes happiness, throughout the novel. By strategically placing this throughout the novel, readers can
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
Nathaniel Hawthorne published The Scarlet Letter in 1850 in a time much later than the Puritan setting. The main character, Hester Prynne, commits an act of adultery, subsequently has a child, and is forced to wear the scarlet “A” as punishment. The child produced from Hester’s sin is called Pearl. Pearl is her mother’s greatest treasure, as well as the greatest price Hester has ever paid (Hawthorne 499). In The Scarlet Letter, Hawthorne uses Pearl to symbolize the Scarlet Letter; her fiend-like actions,
In The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, the author points out contrasting light and dark concepts in nature. Visual representations in nature are given to show how the characters really feel and what it says about themselves. Hawthorne uses light and dark to assign traits of truthfulness, guilt, and sin among the characters. Hawthorne uses the presence of light in the form of sunshine, colors, and illumination to show truthfulness in the characters. First of all, sunshine is used in this
the impact of the scarlet letter. She fights the oppression imposed upon her and instead gains her own self-dependence. Hester redefines the role of women in society. My opinion on this matter is that Hester’s journey creates a greater understanding of how far she has risen above societal stereotypes. Many critics state that Salem’s community restricts Hester Prynne’s freedoms, but I believe that she has limitless independence that can’t be revoked solely by the scarlet letter. Hawthorne introduces
considered in the society. Hawthorne’s story about a feminine representing feminism culture and importance in the society attempts to highlight the equality and justice that much exist in a societyUnlike those Puritan women in the community, Hester follows what she wishes even against the strict Puritan beliefs and norms. Therefore, the novel is considered as feminist because it brings the ideas about gender equality and love for oneself as a woman. Hawthorne depicts an exclusive view of women, love, sins
Hester Prynne: “At the very least, they should put the brand of a hot iron on Hester Prynne’s forehead.” A man that these five gossips do not know even throws in his two cents on her punishment. With Hester wearing a mark as noticeable as a bright scarlet “A” on her chest, every townsperson is bound to notice it and talk about it with his or her friends. When Hester is being paraded through the town, it was “as if her heart had been flung into the street for them all to spurn and trample upon (p. 48)