Symbolism And Covers In Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter

Decent Essays
Numerous individuals are familiar with the quote, “A picture is worth a thousand words”. This same quote applies to the unique artwork that artists create for the cover of Nathaniel Hawthorne’s book, The Scarlet Letter. Below outlines each cover’s significance as it pertains to a particular theme or detail of the classic novel. The Scarlet Letter, as the title suggests, centers on an embroidery letter “A” that our protagonist wears. The protagonist, by the name of Hester Prynne, endures a punishment from the scarlet letter because of her adultery. Therefore, the fabric “A” possess a negative connotation and shames Hester in public. Most of the artists keep the nefarious scarlet letter in mind while creating their cover art. But the scarlet …show more content…
Also, near the front of the fence is a drawn rosebush, which is a vital symbol of The Scarlet Letter. The author’s choice in this particular scene proves that the townspeople suspicious gossiping affects Hester. From the classic novel, the scarlet letter takes “her out of the ordinary relations with humanity, and enclosing her in a sphere by herself” (Hawthorne 46). The gossiping contributes to a majority of the punishment Hester receives from the scarlet letter. Some of the townspeople went so far to say, “‘This woman has brought shame upon us all, and ought to die. Is there not law for it?’” (Hawthorne 45). A major theme in this novel revolves around the discrimination and separation Hester feels from the rest of her town. Women, in particular, try to downgrade Hester and exhibit little-to-no respect towards her. For example, wealthy Dames “whose doors she entered in the way of her occupation, were accustomed to distil drops of bitterness into her heart” (Hawthorne 71). In other words, “elevated” ladies treat Hester coldly and voice hurtful remarks behind her back. Likewise, little Pearl isolates herself from the rest of the kids in her age-group. Hawthorne writes “Pearl was a born outcast of the infantile world” (Hawthorne 77), this quote acts as evidence that Pearl feels similar isolation as her mother Hester. Yet Pearl is all Hester has, so …show more content…
The fourth cover art showcases Hester in the foreground with a dark, ominous church behind her. A large, fancy letter “A” immediately catches the reader 's’ eyes. The “A” is hard to miss because of it’s sheer size, it is colossal when comparing to Hester’s head!. On this cover art, the large scarlet letter practically takes over the artwork. This corresponds to how the “A” takes over Hester’s life and how she hides behind the symbol. If a person so much looks at Hester, “the spot never grew callous; it seemed, on the contrary, to grow more sensitive with daily torture” (Hawthorne 72). Once again Hawthorne includes in The Scarlet Letter how “the scarlet letter was represented in exaggerated and gigantic proportions, so as to be greatly the most prominent feature of her appearance” (Hawthorne 88). Therefore, this example explains why the artist drew the letter “A” to such a great scale. An additional detail of the cover. the church in the background, symbolizes Dimmesdale and his key position as Minister. While most interruptions of the artwork may vary, it seems as though the artist draws Hester as she rushes away from the church. This would make sense when corresponding to the novel because her secret lover, Dimmesdale, has a strong connection to the church Dimmesdale is characterized as having “the earnest of high eminence in his profession” (Hawthorne 57). The townspeople respect

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