Playing a critical role in The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, nature acts in contrast to the Puritan society, creating symbols demonstrating pathetic fallacy, while also reflecting changes in characters. From the details and the description of the novel about Hester Prynne, the beauty of nature set against the harshness of Puritanical law is apparent with the contrast of the weatherbeaten old prison door with the rusted latch against the wild rosebush that is held out as an invitation to "some sweet moral blossom" for the developing tale.
After Hester is made to wear the scarlet letter A on her chest, her beauty seems to go away, and in chapter 16 when Hester enters the forest with Pearl, the child says that the sunshine comes from …show more content…
Here in the forest, the sun shines on Pearl, and she absorbs the light and hope, and keeps it. The forest represents a natural world, governed by natural laws, as opposed to the artificial, Puritan community with its man-made laws. In this world, Hester can take off her bonnet, let down her hair, and discuss plans with Arthur Dimmesdale to be together away from the strict laws of the Puritans. As part of this forest, the river provides "a boundary between two worlds." Which means the river acts as the different parts of Hester’s life and the options she can take. Pearl refuses to cross this boundary into the Puritan world when Hester waves to her. However, the forest is also a moral wilderness that Hester finds herself being forced to wear the sign of her guilt.
The forest is also a symbolic place where souls are signed away to the devil, and Arthur Dimmesdale can "yield himself with deliberate choice . . . to what he knew was deadly sin." In these instances, the forest is a symbol of the world of darkness and evil. Mistress Hibbins knows on sight those who would wander "in the forest" or, in other words, secretly do the Devil's work. When Arthur Dimmesdale leaves the forest with his escape plan in mind, he is tempted to sin on numerous occasions during his journey back to the village. The forest, then, is a symbol of man's
After Hester is made to wear the scarlet letter A on her chest, her beauty seems to go away, and in chapter 16 when Hester enters the forest with Pearl, the child says that the sunshine comes from …show more content…
Here in the forest, the sun shines on Pearl, and she absorbs the light and hope, and keeps it. The forest represents a natural world, governed by natural laws, as opposed to the artificial, Puritan community with its man-made laws. In this world, Hester can take off her bonnet, let down her hair, and discuss plans with Arthur Dimmesdale to be together away from the strict laws of the Puritans. As part of this forest, the river provides "a boundary between two worlds." Which means the river acts as the different parts of Hester’s life and the options she can take. Pearl refuses to cross this boundary into the Puritan world when Hester waves to her. However, the forest is also a moral wilderness that Hester finds herself being forced to wear the sign of her guilt.
The forest is also a symbolic place where souls are signed away to the devil, and Arthur Dimmesdale can "yield himself with deliberate choice . . . to what he knew was deadly sin." In these instances, the forest is a symbol of the world of darkness and evil. Mistress Hibbins knows on sight those who would wander "in the forest" or, in other words, secretly do the Devil's work. When Arthur Dimmesdale leaves the forest with his escape plan in mind, he is tempted to sin on numerous occasions during his journey back to the village. The forest, then, is a symbol of man's