Symbolism in literature is used to convey ideas, themes or certain qualities to the reader, by using symbols that are different from their literal meaning. Nathaniel Hawthorne, the author of The Scarlet Letter uses several key symbols throughout the novel to both structure and give symbolic meaning to the book. In particular, Hawthorne uses the sunshine as a symbol of happiness and freedom, the scaffold as the structure to the novel, and the letter A, the biggest symbol in the book, to represent adultery and ability. Throughout the book Hawthorne shows that all of these symbols are connected through sin and redemption, a huge theme of the novel.…
While also revealing detail, symbols also give the readers different ideas on what the author could be trying to portray. The author Nathanial Hawthorne uses many symbols throughout his writing, revealing to his audience more about his writings. In Nathanial Hawthorne’s “The Scarlet Letter,” he uses many symbols to make his readers think harder on what he is trying to show. Without all the symbols that Hawthorne used, “The Scarlet Letter,” the novel would not be as famous as it is today. The scarlet “A” is a major symbol in the novel that most people pick out; but there are also many other symbols revealed in “The Scarlet Letter.”…
F. O. Matthiessen argues that Hawthorne’s use of symbolism developed differences in people’s interpretations of the symbols. Matthiessen described it as “the device of multiple choice” meaning the reader can choose, based on his interpretation, what the symbol means to them. According to Matthiessen Hawthorne does not fully explain any of the symbols in The Scarlet Letter, he only leaves vague clues which lead the reader to interpret the symbol on their own. Therefore, many theories about the actual meaning arise and “with that Hawthorne leaves the reader to choose among these theories.” Moreover, Hawthorne himself does not accept his allegory even though he still finds it valid due to its psychological exactness.…
In the novel T he Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne symbolism is used differently between the Puritans in the novel and the narrator of the novel. Despite both using the same symbols, the way they view these symbols differs substantially. Some symbols that are used differently are the scarlet letter, sunshine, and Pearl. The use of symbols between the Puritans and the narrator, the Puritans look at these symbols in a negative way, bringing the people who encounter these symbols “doom and gloom”. The narrator on the other hand looks at the symbols as a form of retribution for the people who find them.…
A s y m b o l i s s o m e t h i n g used for representing something else. Three symbols used in the Scarlet Letter are the scarlet letter, Pearl, and the scaffold and all of these symbols are used differently by the Puritans and by the author. The meaning of the scarlet letter in the novel is for Hester to wear it because she has committed adultery.…
Pearl refuses because this is all she knows of her and since her mother wears the a on her chest and always had she doesn't understand why it's not there and doesn't know what it means because she's a child. Pearl seems to see the letter on her mother's chest as a metaphorical lack of sunshine on her mother's life. She thinks that all grown women wear a scarlet letter and once she sees others do not she doesn't want to accept the symbol as being something to do with sin. She thinks it's a part of her mother, so she wants Hester to put it back on. Hester has worn this letter A on her chest to stand for the crime she committed and once in the beginning she's ashamed to wear it because who wants to wear something around all the time to let people know you've committed adultery?…
Symbolism comes in many forms, whether through objects, events, environments, or actions. Through symbolism, a single thing can have a variety of meanings. In the 1850 novel The Scarlet Letter, author Nathaniel Hawthorne creates symbolism through names. Hester Prynne, Pearl, Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale, and Roger Chillingworth all have names that reflect who they are. Hawthorne uses the literary element of symbolism in the names of his characters to enhance the story and give insight into their personalities.…
Hawthorne in The Scarlet Letter uses the character Hester Prynne, the symbolism of the Scarlet Letter ‘A,’ and foreshadowing to show how sin grows and manifests with a lack of mercy. Hester morphs into this sinful creature because of this lack of mercy. Her sin of adultery was an act of passion without thought. Her sins after her public humiliation were all premeditated into something much worse than her original sin. The scarlet letter also shows this, it shows that this merciless sin causes harm to others as well not just as the embroidery on her chest but a symbol that appears in all sorts of places.…
In The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorn, many symbols are present. The largest and most know of the symbols is the scarlet letter A. The scarlet letter A was prominent thought out the whole story and was surrounded by other smaller symbols. The first third of "The Scarlet Letter" is when the scarlet letter is introduced along with the explanation surrounding it.…
The Symbols in Nathaniel Hawthorne “The Minister’s Black Veil” “The Minister’s Black Veil”, one of Nathaniel Hawthorne’s first published in 1836, have the reputation of been one of his best short stories during his life as a writer. The ambiguity of “The minister’s Black Veil” have been criticism exaggerated in the modern culture but more in some religious for the fact that they consider that the Reverend Mr. Hooper reflects the antichrist. Some scholars, particularly William Bysshe, have found, that the minister’s fear the black veil is a fear that the minister refuses to cope (391). Others, notably A. Santangelo, have seen how the Minister’s reflect the symbol of alienation to his religion; with it he confirms that every man is sinful (63).…
“... and wherefore is she set up to public shame?” (Hawthorne, p. 54). A symbol in literature means a representation of an object that stands for something that is not material. As seen in many works of literature, a place or setting can often have a symbolic meaning. The Scarlet Letter, written by Nathaniel Hawthorne, uses symbolism to show the importance of settings, objects, and characters in the novel.…
Fear is an extremely powerful emotion. It has the potential to entirely consume minds and control bodies, as well as completely dictate an individual’s life. In the 17th century, a countless number of people belonging to various religions feared the supernatural. Specifically, the Puritans firmly believed in and feared God’s wrath, the presence of evil entities and the existence of the Devil. This terror was reflected in the laws and daily life of the Puritan community.…
In today 's world most people focus on their future and don’t let their past define them. There’s a saying that 's goes, “your past is done, so forget it; your future is yet to come, so dream it.” People learn from their past in order to learn from their mistakes. They know that they can fix them and become better people. It wasn 't always like that, in the book The Scarlet Letter, written by Nathaniel Hawthorne the main character Hester realizes that even though she did she committed a sin in her past the Puritan community sees that sin as one of the worst sins you can commit and will never forget what she has done.…
Nathaniel Hawthorne demonstrates how symbols can used to relate to our everyday life. One of the most detailed symbols shown in The Scarlet Letter is the usage of sunlight. Depending on the context, sunlight can possess multiple meanings. Not only it appears in the setting, but also visualizes Hester’s importance to this novel. In The Scarlet Letter, Hawthorne uses the symbol of the sunlight to exemplify a plethora of concepts and ideologies.…
Symbols can be used in any type of literary text. Whether it is a short poem, or a novel or an epic, symbol can be used throughout to show a deeper meaning within the text. Nathaniel Hawthorne’s, The Scarlet Letter, is no different. Throughout the novel, Hawthorne uses a multitude of various symbol to allow the reader to interpret many different aspects of the novel in different ways. Hawthorne’s brilliance in the use of symbol even extends into the names of his characters, such as Dimmesdale and Chillingworth.…