Literary Elements In The Scarlet Letter

Utilization of Literary Elements in The Scarlet Letter Puritan lifestyles were based off of strict religious ruling, and anything that defied their beliefs and God was seen as a threat. In Nathaniel Hawthorne’s novel, The Scarlet Letter, a female archetype named Hester has committed the act of adultery. Hester has a child out of wedlock, and refuses to give out the father’s name. For her committed sins Hester is put through the humiliating process of displaying an embroidered ‘A’ standing for adulteress. Throughout the story each event and character is affected by crucial literary elements that emphasize the true symbolism in Hawthorne’s work. Nature, the supernatural, society, and individuality are main components used by Hawthorne to help …show more content…
The supernatural plays a reoccurring role from beginning till end and helps interpret the ideas Hawthorne has hidden. There are many instances of the supernatural taking place, specifically from religious perspectives. Puritan’s lived by the words of the church and followed the teachings of their God. The contradicting force that attracted and lured in townspeople to evil doings, was the Black Man. The Black Man is a portrayal of the devil, and seems to have the same intentions of the devil himself. The Black Man lurks in the dark wilderness, tempting the good with evil. The Black Man also is akin to Hester due to her temptations of evil. An additional supernatural factor is the scarlet letter itself. Agonizing Hester with pain, and embarrassment the scarlet letter drifts the scrutiny of people, or alarms them, “But that first object of which Pearl seemed to become aware was-shall we say it?-The scarlet letter on Hester’s bosom!(…)The infant’s eyes had been caught by the glimmering of the gold embroidery about the letter; and, putting up her little hand, she grasped at it(…)Hester Prynne clutch the fatal token, instinctively endeavoring to tear it away; so infinite was the torture inflicted by the intelligent touch of Pearl’s baby hand(…)Little Pearl look into her eyes and smile” (Hobson). Even with Pearl being a mere infant, she’s still able to acknowledge the presence of the scarlet letter and …show more content…
When Hester first emerges from the prison door, she encounters a large crowd of men and women with dull expressions and attire. Hester is described as a beauty, filled with life and character, countering her onlookers, “The young woman was tall, with a figure of perfect elegance on a large scale. She had dark and abundant hair, so glossy that it threw off the sunshine with a gleam; and a face which, besides being beautiful from regularity of feature and richness of complexion, had the impressiveness belonging to a marked brow and deep black eyes. She was ladylike, too, after the manner of the feminine gentility of those days; characterized by a certain state and dignity, rather than by the delicate, evanescent, and indescribable grace which is now recognized as its indication. And never had Hester Prynne appeared more ladylike, in the antique interpretation of the term, than as she issued from the prison.” According to Hallenback, paradoxical qualities exist in the nature of man. The aura surrounding Hester was distinct in comparison to the dark, bitter emotions held by the townspeople. To them, her presence was a disturbance to their “stable” heaven on