Literary Elements In Scarlet Letter

Many authors utilize literary elements in novels to illustrate various characters and demonstrate different characteristics. Theme portrays the meaning of the novel through the character’s dialogue or actions. Symbolism utilizes the significant objects from the novel to compare one’s actions to the objects. Authors could also use the element of irony, whether it is dramatic irony, verbal irony, or situational irony, to support their point better than plainly stating what is happening. Using literary elements helps convey the meaning of the novel as a whole and brings purity and transparency to the novel. In The Scarlet Letter, written by Nathaniel Hawthorne conveys the meaning of the novel through sin and public versus private identity, …show more content…
One of the most important themes in the novel was sin. Dimmesdale carries his sin and agony. He cries to Hester, asking her for her strength through God because he cannot have strength on his own (Hawthorne 231). Reverend Dimmesdale has not been able to forgive himself for these seven years (Hawthorne 174). For seven years, Reverend Dimmesdale kept his sin of adultery inside of him, only punishing himself at night when no one could see him (Hawthorne 130). He was not able to tell the townspeople the sin he committed because he knew that if he could not even forgive himself, then no one else would either. Throughout the novel, Dimmesdale gets weaker and weaker, until he suddenly has a sense of hope. While Hester was forced by the townspeople to stand on the scaffold, the woman believed she deserved worse punishment (Fider Web). As some women agreed for a worse punishment saying to put an iron on her forehead (Hawthorne 46). “Although many critics view Hester in a positive way, some liberal one sees her as a degenerating spiritually since her thoughts are on earthly love as is clear in her conversation with Dimmesdale during their meeting in the forest” (Fider Web). Hester was forced to stand on the scaffold for punishment, contrasting Dimmesdale 's punishment. Dimmesdale 's punishment was brought to him through himself. Hester had to live with the sin and the scarlet letter embroidery on her gown, but …show more content…
In the beginning of the novel, the letter ‘A’ was meant to punish Hester for her sin that she commits, adding pain to her inner wounds (Hagg Web). The pain and agony, along with the letter was given to Hester for humiliation (Haag Web). While the letter ‘A’ was meant to punish Hester, later in the novel the letter represents being able. Through the gold embroidery of the ‘A’, Hester starts to be seen as an individual, and not so much as outcast, but a saintly figure (Hagg Web). The letter ‘A’ symbolizes Hester being able to have strength in herself, even when the townspeople despised her. “On the breast of her gown, in fine red cloth, surrounded with an elaborate embroidery and fantastic flourishes of gold thread, appeared the letter A” (Hawthorne 47). The gold on the scarlet letter symbolizes elegance, allowing Hester to stand out in the crowd. The author also uses Pearl as a symbol in the novel. In contrast to the way Pearl was brought into the world, throughout the novel she slowly symbolizes purity instead of sin (Hawthorne 47). While Pearl was seen as an outcast to the community, she remotely turns into the community’s angel, giving others hope and energy (Lindborg Web). Reverend Dimmesdale believes Pearl symbolizes his own passion in the world (Lindborg Web). While Pearl symbolizes passion, she also symbolizes a black pearl. A black pearl is known for being rare. Pearl came in this