The Symbolism Of Puritan Society

The novel, The Scarlet Letter, of Puritan society by Nathaniel Hawthorne. This novel was placed in the 1600’s, in Puritan society in New England. A Puritan is someone who simplifies and regulates a form of worship. Nathaniel Hawthorne uses Puritan society in this story to show Puritan Religion. He used symbolism to make everything have more than one meaning. In this novel, The Scarlet Letter, by Nathaniel Hawthorne uses the symbolism of a Wild Rosebush, Hester's cabin, and Pearl to contribute to the overall theme of imperfection. To begin, Hawthorne uses a wild Rosebush to contribute to the theme of imperfection. The Wild Rosebush symbolizes the good and humans and the evil in society. The Wild Rosebush sits next to the prison. Hawthorne …show more content…
Pearl is a token of shame to Hester. Pearl is not perfect. She was born in the prison that is full of evil. Pearl is the reason why Hester wears the letter “A” on her bosom. Hawthorne says “but she named the infant “pearl” as being of great price-purchased with all she had, her mother’s treasure only treasure” (Hawthorne 81). Hawthorne explains that Hester named her daughter pearl because, pearls are usually made in darkness. Pearls are made by grinding sand together and Hawthorne refers to that as sex with Pearls father and Hester. Pearls are made in darkness and they come out as a beautiful treasure. This refers to imperfection because Pearl is made in darkness and in sin but she comes out as a beautiful treasure. One night Hester tells Pearl she is from the heavenly father. Pearl says to Hester, “He did not send me! Cried she; positively.” I have no heavenly father!”(Hawthorne 95). Pearl explains this because she knows she is a sin and that the heavenly father would not send her nor be her father. The heavenly father is good he is from heaven when hester says the heavenly father brought you here that means you are good but Pearl knows she is a sin and she is not