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Symbolism of The Scarlet Letter A symbol is a literary device which is
employed to portray another object or individual. In the Scarlet Letter by
Nathaniel Hawthorne, it is most often a tangible object he uses to represent an
undefined idea, complex in scope and significance. More times than not, it
represents reverent, profound, or virtuous concepts of merit. From the
substitution of one idea or object for another, to creations as massive,
complex, and perplexing as the veil in the Minister's Black veil, are the domain
symbols may encompass. Hawthorne's notable and unique use of the inanimate
letter A, the scenery of the rose bush, and the settings of forest to make the
characters -Hester, Dimmesdale, Chillingworth, and Pearl- into symbols in the
novel in order to portray his moral and theme of: Be true. Be true. Be true! The
red letter A is presented but whose meaning has to be deciphered. What does the
letter mean? It is a question every character in the novel repeats who confronts
the blatant red token and who has to deal with it. The letter A manifests in a
variety of forms and places. Not only does the A manifest in various forms, but
it also acquires a variety of meanings. It represents more than just the sin of
adultery.
Even as the original mark of adultery, the scarlet letter has a
different individual meaning to the various characters. To Hester, the A is a
symbol of unjust humiliation. The A magnifies in an armor breastplate at the
Governor's mansion to exaggerated and gigantic proportions, so as to be acutely
the most prominent feature of [Hester's] semblance. In truth, she emerges
absolutely hidden behind it.. The A grows to be larger than Hester signifying
the town's view of her sin. They do not see the human being behind the scarlet
letter, they only see a sinner. For Hester, the A is not only a symbol of
adultery, but also a symbol of alienation. She is an outcast from society and
the women treat her differently by constantly sneering at her in public. The
scarlet letter is a symbol of what society wants to see and the decision to
create a relativity. The townspeople soon began to accept her and believe that
letter had supernatural powers. They decide that it meant able; so strong was
Hester Prynne, with a woman's strength, that they were allowing her to remove
it. Their opinion and vision of the scarlet letter changes into its complete
opposite within a short period of under ten year's time. This opinion conforms
according to their worldly view of convenience. To the Puritan community, it is
a mark of just punishment. In the beginning of the story the letter struck fear
into the society's hearts. It symbolizes the unfair humiliation she endures,
such as humiliation standing on the scaffold at noon in public view.
The
ornately gold-embroidered A on Hester's heart, at which Pearl throws wildflowers
and decorates with a border of prickly burrs. To Pearl, the A is a bright and
mysterious curiosity which symbolizes her existence and the meaning behind it.
In mockery, Pearl creates an A on her chest made of green seaweed which
represents purity and innocence, but also signifies Pearl's future as the
daughter of sinner. For Chillingworth, the A represents the need for revenge and
is the spur to this quest. To Dimmesdale, the A is a piercing reminder of his
the guilt engulfing his concealed sin. It drives him to punish himself and
endure Chillingworth's torture. In addition, the A also symbolizes attributes
other than adultery. On the night of his vigil on the scaffold, Dimmesdale sees
an immense red A in the sky. It symbolizes Angel when a great red letter in the
sky, -the letter A, which [the townspeople] interpret to stand for angel, as it
manifests in the sky on the night of Governor Winthrop's death. One of the most
dramatic of the several A's the book hints at is the A so frequently seen
earlier and which Dimmesdale finally reveals to be an A on his chest by most of
the spectators who witness his confession and death. At the end of the novel, as
a summary symbol, the scarlet A refers against the black background on Hester
and Dimmesdale's tombstone.
The forest represents a free world and a dark world.
For the latter, it is a place where no Puritan law subsists. Luckily, at least
for the four main characters, Hawthorne provides such a sanctuary in the form of
the mysterious forest. Hawthorne uses the forest to provide a shelter for
members of society in need of a refuge from daily Puritan life. In the deep,
dark portions of the forest, many of the pivotal characters bring forth hidden
thoughts and emotions. Mistress Hibbins invites Hester to attend one of their
rendezvous in the forest. Wilt though go with tonight? There will be a merry
company in the forest, and I will nigh promised the Black Man that comely Hester
Prynne should make one. The forest track leads away from the settlement out into
the wilderness where all signs of civilization vanish. This is precisely the
escape route from strict mandates of law and religion, to a refuge where men, as
well as women, can open up and be themselves. For Pearl, it is a place where she
can run and play freely picking flowers and make friends with the animals who
live there. It also represents a dark world where witches gather, individuals
sell their souls to the devil, and where Dimmesdale can acknowledge his sin to
Hester, but not to the rest of the world. The trees surrounding it allow for
only minimal sunlight to penetrate making the forest a place of gloom and
darkness that looks to be trapped in the symbol of evil and sin. It is a place
where one can find their way by following narrow paths. It is here that
Dimmesdale openly acknowledges Hester and his undying love for her. It is also
here that Hester can do the same for Dimmesdale.
The forest itself is the
embodiment of freedom. Nobody watches in the woods to report misbehavior, thus
it is here that individuals may do as they wish. When Arthur Dimmesdale emerges
into the sunlight, she openly talks with Dimmesdale about subjects which he
would never be mention in any place other than the forest. What we did, she
reminds him, had a consecration of its own. We felt it so! We said to each
other! This statement shocks Dimmesdale and he tells Hester to hush, but he
eventually realizes that he is in an environment where he can openly express his
emotions. The thought of Hester and Dimmesdale having an intimate conversation
in the confines of the society in which they live is incomprehensible. Yet here,
in the forest, young girls, and middle-aged men and women may throw away all
reluctance and finally be themselves under the umbrella of security which
subsists and pull out secret thoughts and gloat like misers delighting in a
hidden stash of gold. The forest brings out the natural semblance and natural
personality of the individuals who use it correctly. When Hester takes off her
cap and unloosens her hair, a new woman emerges. The real Hester is seen, who
has been hidden this whole time under a shield of shame. Her eyes grow radiant
and a flush manifests upon her cheek.
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