For decades, nature has been used in novels to create structure to an author’s anecdote. Nature makes itself known in the world, further bring their presence to the world and the individuals living on the world. Not only does nature brings structure to an author’s novel, but can also lead to many symbolisms being made throughout the novel. The entity of nature act as multiple symbolisms in Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter. Throughout his novel, Hawthorne incorporates nature to create the mood of the scene as well as tie the story together; with the usage of symbolism found within natural settings, Hawthorne is able to depict character’s psychological state of mind and their developments; and by utilizing natural indications, nature
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Hawthorne’s use of nature throughout The Scarlet Letter is similar to the sense of having peace for his characters as they carry out their lives in the Puritan society. Depicted throughout the novel, the usage of nature creates the images for readers to understand who the characters and what their roles are as they progress through the novel. Nature can be use in different ways throughout a novel as an author tries to convey his message, in this case, Hawthorne utilizes nature to depict the meaning behind Hester’s sin of the scarlet letter. As they walk through the forest, Pearl addresses to Hester that the sunlight “does not love you. It runs away and hides itself, because it is afraid of something on your bosom… let me run and catch it. I am but a child. It will not flee from me, for I wear nothing on my bosom yet!” (Hawthorne 191). Light and darkness are all manifested in the novel, in the same scene; and plays an important role in the symbolic natural aspects of the characters. As the mother and child walk through the forest’s path, light would not touch Hester at any angle; whereas, with Pearl, it shows no mercy. The sunlight symbolizes the guilt-free happiness, the good, the grace, or perhaps God’s approval ; and with many symbolism, darkness would be associated to the evil, the disgrace or sinful. With the sunlight, darkness, and forest included in the scene, Hawthorne is able to portray Hester’s physical state as a character in his novel. Hester is depicted as a sinful person as to where the light does not touch her; whereas, her daughter Pearl is the portrayal of goodness. Nature is generally used to depict analogies to describe the characters physically, emotionally, and socially and Hawthorne utilizes this approach effectively. In the beginning of the novel, Hester is led from her cell, enduring the humiliating and frightening
Hawthorne’s use of nature throughout The Scarlet Letter is similar to the sense of having peace for his characters as they carry out their lives in the Puritan society. Depicted throughout the novel, the usage of nature creates the images for readers to understand who the characters and what their roles are as they progress through the novel. Nature can be use in different ways throughout a novel as an author tries to convey his message, in this case, Hawthorne utilizes nature to depict the meaning behind Hester’s sin of the scarlet letter. As they walk through the forest, Pearl addresses to Hester that the sunlight “does not love you. It runs away and hides itself, because it is afraid of something on your bosom… let me run and catch it. I am but a child. It will not flee from me, for I wear nothing on my bosom yet!” (Hawthorne 191). Light and darkness are all manifested in the novel, in the same scene; and plays an important role in the symbolic natural aspects of the characters. As the mother and child walk through the forest’s path, light would not touch Hester at any angle; whereas, with Pearl, it shows no mercy. The sunlight symbolizes the guilt-free happiness, the good, the grace, or perhaps God’s approval ; and with many symbolism, darkness would be associated to the evil, the disgrace or sinful. With the sunlight, darkness, and forest included in the scene, Hawthorne is able to portray Hester’s physical state as a character in his novel. Hester is depicted as a sinful person as to where the light does not touch her; whereas, her daughter Pearl is the portrayal of goodness. Nature is generally used to depict analogies to describe the characters physically, emotionally, and socially and Hawthorne utilizes this approach effectively. In the beginning of the novel, Hester is led from her cell, enduring the humiliating and frightening