Helen Keller once proclaimed “Everything has its wonders, even darkness and silence, and I learn, whatever state I may be in, therein to be content.” Nathaniel Hawthorne develops this theme through the use of symbolism in his novel, The Scarlet Letter. The brook, which Pearl happens to innately draw to, plays a role in her comfort among nature. The rose-bush growing next to the prison door grants comfort to all who pass. The scaffold, which makes periodic appearances throughout the novel, allows both Hester Prynne and Arthur Dimmesdale to develop internally. Each of these symbols ultimately contributes to the recurring idea that in times of suffering, hope remains present.
The brook plays a prominent role in the development of Pearl’s character. …show more content…
The prison door at the front of the town is described as an ugly edifice, appearing to give off a pitiful feeling. Right next to the door, ironically, the delicate rose-bush sits, providing an impression of beauty and hope to all who pass. It has held power and influence over the community for many generations, providing even prisoners with a sense of positivity. Hawthorne specifically indicates that the “wild rose-bush… might be imagined to offer their fragrance and fragile beauty to the prisoner as he went” (41). The rose-bush clearly relieves the suffering and sorrow of many people, reminding them of the happiness which still exists in the world. In times of misfortune, it serves as a representation of comfort. When Pearl sees the rose-bush, she cries for a rose. Like her mother, Pearl yearns for strength, so she desires the rose that represents optimism. Since Pearl holds a source of relief in Hester’s life, the young girl “finally announced that she had not been made up at all, but had been plucked by her mother off the bush of wild roses, that grew by the prison-door” (91). Pearl, portrayed as a basis of strength for Hester, clearly signifies the comparability of Pearl’s relationship with Hester and the town’s connection to the bush. Both the rose-bush and Pearl provide hope and strength. The incorporation of the rose-bush introduces the luminescent touch of morality provided throughout …show more content…
Hester, forced to stand in front of the whole town in order to feel shame, receives punishment by standing on the scaffold. Primarily seen by the community as an adulteress, Hester causes the scaffold to originally stand for humiliation and consequence. The scaffold ultimately “forbid the culprit to hide his face for shame; as it was the essence of this punishment to do” (48). As Hester faces her punishment, she remains courageous, hinting at Hawthorne’s persisting conception of hope in misfortunate circumstances. In the second scaffold scene, many years later, Arthur stands on the scaffold along with Pearl and Hester. Pearl then receives a perception of optimism as Arthur informs her that he will stand with them someday. The three of them stand hand-in-hand in the pitch-black night, forming a powerful connection. Earlier, he avoids associating with them in the public eye, as his reputation as a church official would grow at risk. His apparent fear of judgement causes Arthur to refuse to stand by Pearl and Hester in broad daylight. In this situation, the scaffold serves as a symbol of guilt. In the final scaffold scene, Arthur redeems himself. He finally confesses his sin to the public, immediately before passing away on the scaffold. This final redemption serves as a positive factor in his life, as Arthur’s secret had eaten away at him for years. Roger Chillingworth,
The brook plays a prominent role in the development of Pearl’s character. …show more content…
The prison door at the front of the town is described as an ugly edifice, appearing to give off a pitiful feeling. Right next to the door, ironically, the delicate rose-bush sits, providing an impression of beauty and hope to all who pass. It has held power and influence over the community for many generations, providing even prisoners with a sense of positivity. Hawthorne specifically indicates that the “wild rose-bush… might be imagined to offer their fragrance and fragile beauty to the prisoner as he went” (41). The rose-bush clearly relieves the suffering and sorrow of many people, reminding them of the happiness which still exists in the world. In times of misfortune, it serves as a representation of comfort. When Pearl sees the rose-bush, she cries for a rose. Like her mother, Pearl yearns for strength, so she desires the rose that represents optimism. Since Pearl holds a source of relief in Hester’s life, the young girl “finally announced that she had not been made up at all, but had been plucked by her mother off the bush of wild roses, that grew by the prison-door” (91). Pearl, portrayed as a basis of strength for Hester, clearly signifies the comparability of Pearl’s relationship with Hester and the town’s connection to the bush. Both the rose-bush and Pearl provide hope and strength. The incorporation of the rose-bush introduces the luminescent touch of morality provided throughout …show more content…
Hester, forced to stand in front of the whole town in order to feel shame, receives punishment by standing on the scaffold. Primarily seen by the community as an adulteress, Hester causes the scaffold to originally stand for humiliation and consequence. The scaffold ultimately “forbid the culprit to hide his face for shame; as it was the essence of this punishment to do” (48). As Hester faces her punishment, she remains courageous, hinting at Hawthorne’s persisting conception of hope in misfortunate circumstances. In the second scaffold scene, many years later, Arthur stands on the scaffold along with Pearl and Hester. Pearl then receives a perception of optimism as Arthur informs her that he will stand with them someday. The three of them stand hand-in-hand in the pitch-black night, forming a powerful connection. Earlier, he avoids associating with them in the public eye, as his reputation as a church official would grow at risk. His apparent fear of judgement causes Arthur to refuse to stand by Pearl and Hester in broad daylight. In this situation, the scaffold serves as a symbol of guilt. In the final scaffold scene, Arthur redeems himself. He finally confesses his sin to the public, immediately before passing away on the scaffold. This final redemption serves as a positive factor in his life, as Arthur’s secret had eaten away at him for years. Roger Chillingworth,