Essay On The Use Of Symbols In The Scarlet Letter By Nathaniel Hawthorne

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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. At first, the meaning of the names of the characters is not exceedingly conspicuous, however, by the end of the novel, it is evident to the reader that the names hold a much deeper meaning than in most novels. Nevertheless, the most …show more content…
At the start of the novel, everyone regards Hester Prynne as a disgrace. Not only did she cheat on her husband whom had paid for her to travel to the New World, but she also wouldn’t relay to the political leaders of the community who it was that she had had an affair with. Along with this, she was also raising a child that was a product of her betrayal to her husband, only adding to the dislike that the citizens already held for her. Yet, due to the actions that take place throughout the novel, the scarlet letter begins to represent an entirely different aspect of Hester Prynne’s life. It proves to the people around her that she is an able woman. She lives on her own for the duration of the entire story, and provides for both herself and her daughter. She never asks for help from others and does not get paid extra for her work. In fact, most people pay her less for her services than they would a woman who did work of lesser value, but were not decorated with the scarlet A. Due to this, it only adds to the idea that Hester Prynne’s scarlet letter comes to represent not adultery by the end of the novel, but rather, …show more content…
Nathaniel Hawthorne is no different. In all of his literary works, symbols can be found that show the reader deeper meanings in his text. One example of this is the scarlet letter that Hester Prynne is required to wear in The Scarlet Letter. This letter comes to express many meanings. One such meaning is adultery. This is the most obvious, for that is the crime that Hester committed to force her to wear the letter. However, the letter soon comes to be a symbol of Hester’s ableness, along with many other aspects of her life. These pieces of meaning can be derived both through the citizens of Boston, along with Hester’s own young daughter, Pearl. Nathaniel Hawthorne’s inspirational novel, The Scarlet Letter, holds within itself a symbol that has within itself many meanings which are expressed throughout the

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