Symbols In Scarlet Letter
Symbols of Guilt Within The Scarlet Letter
The Scarlet Letter, a novel written by Nathaniel Hawthorne in the 1800’s, transports readers to a Puritan town in the 1600’s. Hawthorne, nephew of the Puritan Judge John Hathorne, was very fixated on puritanism and theocracy. Throughout his novel Hawthorne repeatedly emphasizes the importance of the Christian religion in the theocratic town. Along with stressing the topic of religion Hawthorne also accentuates the theme of guilt within his novel and uses many various symbols to convey this revolving point. In The Scarlet Letter, Nathaniel Hawthorne uses the symbolism of burrs, Roger Chillingworth, and the child Pearl to contribute to the overall theme of guilt. To begin, Hawthorne uses burrs to convey …show more content…
Chillingworth was Hester's husband in the old world. Upon learning of Hester's crime of adultery in the new world he dedicates his life to seek revenge on the child Pearl’s father, Dimmesdale. Chillingworth can feel the guilt radiating from Dimmesdale and like a leech he attaches to the reverend. Chillingworth knows that Dimmesdale is being eaten away by his internal guilt and uses that knowledge to torture him for his sin. Hawthorne describes, “He now dug into the poor clergyman’s heart… like a sexton delving into a grave…” (Hawthorne 117). Like his guilt, Chillingworth is tearing apart Dimmesdale from the inside out. Later in the story Hester confronts Chillingworth about his diabolical actions against Dimmesdale, in a hope to relieve the poor reverend of the bloodsucking leech that Chillingworth has become. Hester exclaims, “You tread behind his every footstep. You are beside him, sleeping and waking… you burrow and rankle in his heart… you cause him to die daily a living death…” (Hawthorne 154). This quote shows that Chillingworth is always with Dimmesdale, haunting him. Just like his guilt he can never escape the wrath of Chillingworth. Both quotes display that Chillingworth is digging into Dimmesdale's heart. This symbolizes that Dimmesdale’s guilt is being kept internal so he feels the weight of his sin within his heart. Through Chillingworth the theme of guilt in The Scarlet Letter is made extremely
The Scarlet Letter, a novel written by Nathaniel Hawthorne in the 1800’s, transports readers to a Puritan town in the 1600’s. Hawthorne, nephew of the Puritan Judge John Hathorne, was very fixated on puritanism and theocracy. Throughout his novel Hawthorne repeatedly emphasizes the importance of the Christian religion in the theocratic town. Along with stressing the topic of religion Hawthorne also accentuates the theme of guilt within his novel and uses many various symbols to convey this revolving point. In The Scarlet Letter, Nathaniel Hawthorne uses the symbolism of burrs, Roger Chillingworth, and the child Pearl to contribute to the overall theme of guilt. To begin, Hawthorne uses burrs to convey …show more content…
Chillingworth was Hester's husband in the old world. Upon learning of Hester's crime of adultery in the new world he dedicates his life to seek revenge on the child Pearl’s father, Dimmesdale. Chillingworth can feel the guilt radiating from Dimmesdale and like a leech he attaches to the reverend. Chillingworth knows that Dimmesdale is being eaten away by his internal guilt and uses that knowledge to torture him for his sin. Hawthorne describes, “He now dug into the poor clergyman’s heart… like a sexton delving into a grave…” (Hawthorne 117). Like his guilt, Chillingworth is tearing apart Dimmesdale from the inside out. Later in the story Hester confronts Chillingworth about his diabolical actions against Dimmesdale, in a hope to relieve the poor reverend of the bloodsucking leech that Chillingworth has become. Hester exclaims, “You tread behind his every footstep. You are beside him, sleeping and waking… you burrow and rankle in his heart… you cause him to die daily a living death…” (Hawthorne 154). This quote shows that Chillingworth is always with Dimmesdale, haunting him. Just like his guilt he can never escape the wrath of Chillingworth. Both quotes display that Chillingworth is digging into Dimmesdale's heart. This symbolizes that Dimmesdale’s guilt is being kept internal so he feels the weight of his sin within his heart. Through Chillingworth the theme of guilt in The Scarlet Letter is made extremely