One can find many symbols throughout any type of writing. Symbolism helps give readers a more thorough understanding of what the author is trying to portray to his audience. While some symbols go unnoticed, some are obvious to an audience, the difference is how the person interprets them. One example of a novel with a great deal of symbols is “The Scarlet Letter” it was the one of the first novels in the united states that showed symbolism. Nathanial Hawthorne’s “The Scarlet Letter,” has a variety of symbols revealed throughout the novel that correspond to the theme of how sin can ruin someone’s life. A significant symbol in “The Scarlet Letter,” is the scarlet “A” that one of the protagonist, Hester Prynne, is forced to wear on her breast
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One example is the names of the characters that portray more about themselves than their own actions. For example, Hester Prynne, a protagonist in the novel, can be pronounced as “Hestia”, “a beautiful virgin goddess of the hearth, architecture, and the right ordering of domesticity” (Lei). By revealing this, one can visualize how beautiful and courageous Hester is; however, no matter how beautiful she is portrayed, the Puritans still make her pay for the sin she committed. Though Hester is still an outcast from society she reveals her true heart by helping others in need, by doing this she shares the same qualities as the goddess “Hestia.” While Hester’s first name can symbolize characteristics about herself, her last name “Prynne” also exposes aspects about herself that can be seen throughout the novel. “Prynne” can be linked to “prurient” (Lei). “Prurient” means having excessive interest in sexual affairs (Lei). With Hester’s husband being absent, sexual temptations became an easy access to Hester, later causing her lifelong expiation with the scarlet “A” she is made to wear on her breast (Lei). Therefore, Hester Prynne’s name can be linked back to the characteristics of her personality. Not only can Hester’s name describe her characteristics, but Arthur Dimmesdale is another character in “The Scarlet Letter,” who’s name shows a variety of aspects about
One example is the names of the characters that portray more about themselves than their own actions. For example, Hester Prynne, a protagonist in the novel, can be pronounced as “Hestia”, “a beautiful virgin goddess of the hearth, architecture, and the right ordering of domesticity” (Lei). By revealing this, one can visualize how beautiful and courageous Hester is; however, no matter how beautiful she is portrayed, the Puritans still make her pay for the sin she committed. Though Hester is still an outcast from society she reveals her true heart by helping others in need, by doing this she shares the same qualities as the goddess “Hestia.” While Hester’s first name can symbolize characteristics about herself, her last name “Prynne” also exposes aspects about herself that can be seen throughout the novel. “Prynne” can be linked to “prurient” (Lei). “Prurient” means having excessive interest in sexual affairs (Lei). With Hester’s husband being absent, sexual temptations became an easy access to Hester, later causing her lifelong expiation with the scarlet “A” she is made to wear on her breast (Lei). Therefore, Hester Prynne’s name can be linked back to the characteristics of her personality. Not only can Hester’s name describe her characteristics, but Arthur Dimmesdale is another character in “The Scarlet Letter,” who’s name shows a variety of aspects about