Essay On Symbolism In The Scarlet Letter By Nathaniel Hawthorne

Nathaniel Hawthorne is one of the most iconic writers of dark Romanticism. His works became so classical due to his use of symbolism, time period in which he wrote, and the meaningful themes expressed in his writing. In his most recognizable novel, The Scarlet Letter, the most pronounced theme is that everyone carries sin with them and no sin goes unpunished. The uses of symbolism allow the reader to develop a deeper understanding of historical context and this theme. Hester lived in a Puritan society during the seventeenth century. During this time, people lived strictly based off their religion. However, Hester committed adultery; which was punishable by death. Despite this, Hester’s punishment was issued by the court,
This conflict consisted of guilt because no one else knew about his sins besides him and Hester. This guilt leads to self-harm such as whipping himself and not taking the medicine he needs in order to get better. “In Mr. Dimmesdale's secret closet, under lock and key, there was a bloody scourge. Oftentimes, this Protestant and Puritan divine had plied it on his own shoulders; laughing bitterly at himself the while, and smiting so much more pitilessly because of the bitter laugh” (Hawthorne, 132). In addition to whipping himself, Dimmesdale also starved himself. This shows the comparison of how people deal with their sins depending on if they are public or kept in secrecy. Regardless to this, the novel illustrates how everyone carries sin with them and how they are all punished; each in a different manner. Furthermore, the scaffold in The Scarlet Letter becomes a significant symbol that shows the punishment of sins. There are three distinct scaffold scenes throughout the novel. The first scaffold scene occurs after Hester exits the prison and makes her way to the marketplace where the scaffold awaited her. She stands