Preview

Symbols In The Scarlet Letter

Satisfactory Essays
Open Document
Open Document
65 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Symbols In The Scarlet Letter
The Scarlet Letter is a story that comes to mind in where symbols are a key to understanding the story’s theme. The most obvious symbol in The Scarlet Letter is the letter “A” as it is the title of the novel. Throughout the book, there are different meanings to the letter as the novel unfolds. Some of the meanings include adultery, wealth, guilt, and revenge.
Continue Reading
View Writing Issues

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Powerful Essays

    The Scarlet Letter Analysis with Motif Essay Example
    • 1254 Words
    • 5 Pages

    The Scarlet Letter Analysis with Motif Essay Example

    This passage demonstrates the first of many meanings of motif, the scarlet letter. The meaning and concept described is the most basic and obvious meaning to the letter. The quote shows that the scarlet letter stands for adulterer. Although the meaning of the letter changes throughout the book, the original meaning for the A represents Hester’s punishment…

    • 1254 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Symbols In Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter
    • 281 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Symbols In Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter

    There are a lot of symbols throughout The Scarlet Letter. Some symbols stay the entire book other just fades as the book goes on. Three of the biggest symbols that stay the entire book are the Roses on the prison door, the scarlet A, and Pearl.…

    • 281 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    How Does Nathaniel Hawthorne Use Irony In The Scarlet Letter
    • 868 Words
    • 4 Pages

    How Does Nathaniel Hawthorne Use Irony In The Scarlet Letter

    Nathaniel Hawthorne beautifully crafts his story by using symbolism to reveal details about the story and its characters. In The Scarlet Letter one of the most obvious and prominent symbols is the scarlet "A" placed on Hester. But many readers do not realize that to accompany the letter is Hester's daughter Pearl. Although they have the one similarity of having manifested themselves in a physical form they do evolve through the story into two completely different things. In the beginning the scarlet letter "A" represents Hester's adulterous sin. It is used against her to humiliate her and to persecute her. Through the story it slowly starts to become something more. The letter…

    • 868 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    How Does Nathaniel Hawthorne Use Symbols In The Scarlet Letter
    • 570 Words
    • 3 Pages

    How Does Nathaniel Hawthorne Use Symbols In The Scarlet Letter

    In Nathaniel Hawthorne’s novel The Scarlet Letter, many concepts and ideas are represented and shown by using symbols. Hawthorne’s concrete symbols used to epitomize abstract ideas change meaning as characters, notably the main character Hester Prynne, grow and change. With its connotation changing from negative to positive, the symbol of the scarlet letter “A” represents Hester as adulterous, angelic, and able.…

    • 570 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Scarlet Letter Pearl Symbolism
    • 273 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Scarlet Letter Pearl Symbolism

    Symbolism is the use of symbols to signify ideas and qualities by giving them symbolic meanings that are different from their literal sense. Almost everything in a literary piece can be used as a symbol. If the author takes the time to write about it then it’s important. If the object doesn't seem relevant than it is probably being used as a symbol and probably has a deeper meaning. Anything can be used as a symbol, and in The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne there are many different symbols. A certain import symbol to me in the book is Pearl, Hester’s daughter.…

    • 273 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    How Does Nathaniel Hawthorne Use Symbols In The Scarlet Letter
    • 836 Words
    • 4 Pages

    How Does Nathaniel Hawthorne Use Symbols In The Scarlet Letter

    In Nathaniel Hawthorne’s classic novel The Scarlet Letter, Nathaniel Hawthorne uses symbolism to reinforce the idea that, for every action, there is a positive or negative effect that will follow. In simple terms, if you do something bad, there will be a negative consequence. One of the main recurring symbols in the novel is the scarlet letter itself. The scarlet ‘A’ that Hester Prynne wears in the novel is worth a lot more than just its material value, it relays many ideas and themes. The ‘A’ is a punishment for one of the worst sins that could be committed; adultery. The punishment that is caused by the scarlet ‘A’ manifests itself in different ways and in different people. For example, Hester’s punishment comes in the form of public embarrassment and shame, whereas Minister Dimmesdale’s guilt comes in the form of personal guilt. The ‘A’ means different things at different times in the book also.…

    • 836 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Scarlet Letter Light and Dark Motif
    • 956 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Scarlet Letter Light and Dark Motif

    In order to portray the overall theme of The Scarlet Letter, Hawthorne uses motifs, which are recurring concepts or contrasts. From the beginning of the novel and throughout, there are clear examples of light versus dark that are used to set tone and mood, and used for character development. Hawthorne utilizes the idea of light versus dark, or day versus night to convey the theme of covert sin and overt abomination.…

    • 956 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    How Does Nathaniel Hawthorne Use Symbols In The Scarlet Letter
    • 552 Words
    • 3 Pages

    How Does Nathaniel Hawthorne Use Symbols In The Scarlet Letter

    Symbolism is one feature in The Scarlet Letter that Nathaniel Hawthorne uses quite a lot; and I find it especially interesting how he is able to cleverly use metaphors to get this symbolism across. Symbolism runs wild throughout the book in the form of Pearl. Pearl is like an extended metaphor in a sense because, throughout the romance, Hawthorne uses her as a living reminder of the Scarlet Letter and the sin that Hester commits. This strategy adds an interesting element to the book since the reader is constantly reminded of Hester’s condemnation without Hawthorne having to continually speak of the Scarlet Letter and the sin attached to it. I personally feel bad for both Hester and Pearl because of the way others treat them.…

    • 552 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    What Does The Light Symbolize In The Scarlet Letter
    • 567 Words
    • 3 Pages

    What Does The Light Symbolize In The Scarlet Letter

    Symbolism works to tie the story's action to the story's theme. It began in the 19th century as a literary and artistic movement that sought to evoke, rather than describe, ideas or feelings through the use of symbolic images. It is also defined as using objects, characters, figures, or colors to represent abstract ideas or concepts. A better understanding of the symbols will greatly help the reader understand the story as a whole. Hawthorne used it in many ways in The Scarlet Letter. First there was the scarlet letter itself. Second, in his use of light and color. The third symbol was Pearl. Finally, there was the meteor.…

    • 567 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Symbols In To Kill A Mockingbird
    • 269 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Symbols In To Kill A Mockingbird

    The Mockingbird symbolizes innocence, hope and peace. Harper Lee: To Kill a Mockingbird is one of the greatest books I have read. While reading the book I have chose some people to be mockingbirds. I chose Atticus and Tom Robinson to be mockingbirds. I chose these two particular people because they both play a wonderful part in the book and haven't done anything horrible. They just try to help others out and never lied once.…

    • 269 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Symbolism In Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter
    • 695 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Symbolism In Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter

    (An analysis of the letter ‘a’ and all the symbolisms behind it from Nathaniel Hawthorne’s, The Scarlet Letter.)…

    • 695 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Symbolism in the Scarlet Letter
    • 713 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Symbolism in the Scarlet Letter

    One of many symbols in The Scarlet Letter is obviously, the scarlet letter “A”. The letter “A” stands for adulterer and is appropriately worn by Hester, who is an adulterer. It is a symbol of her sin. Since she has to wear it on her clothes everyday she is constantly reminded of her sin as people, even the needy of whom she helps, mock her as she goes by. As the story progresses it becomes evident that the letter is not only a symbol of her sin but is a symbol of her identity. Hester can be identified as the adulterer who has to wear the letter “A”.…

    • 713 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    How Does Nathaniel Hawthorne Use Symbols In The Scarlet Letter
    • 1110 Words
    • 5 Pages

    How Does Nathaniel Hawthorne Use Symbols In The Scarlet Letter

    Nathaniel Hawthorne is one of the most widely known authors to use symbols in American literature. In the book, The Scarlet Letter, by Nathaniel Hawthorne, he uses symbols to represent an idea. An example of this would be religious, moral, or philosophical concept or value. An allegory in literature is a story where characters, objects, and events have a hidden meaning and are used to present some universal lesson. Hawthorne demonstrates this type of symbolism in the book because the Puritans saw the world through allegory. Puritans saw simple patterns, like the meteor streaking through the sky as a religious or moral interpretation for human events and objects, such as the scaffold, were ritualistic symbols for sin and confession. Puritans…

    • 1110 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    The Scarlet letter
    • 332 Words
    • 2 Pages

    The Scarlet letter

    One of the symbols was the scarlet letter itself. Due to Hesters sin of adultery, the letter “A” is…

    • 332 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Sun Symbolism In Scarlet Letter
    • 230 Words
    • 1 Page

    Sun Symbolism In Scarlet Letter

    Governor Bellingham is the former governor who believes that Pearl should not be raised by Hester. When Hester and Pearl go to his house to return a pair of gloves, and hear of rumors about Pearl. Whilst walking to his door, Pearl notices and embraces the cheeriness of the sunlight. In these moments, Hawthorne displays a rougher side of Pearl “... imperatively required that the whole breadth of sunshine should be stripped off its front, and given her to play with” (Hawthorne 94). The sun is used in this example to show a different meaning. The sun symbolizes happiness. When Pearl demands her mother to take the sunlight and give it to her, Hester replies back with how she cannot, and how Pearl must get her own sunlight by herself. “‘No, my little…

    • 230 Words
    • 1 Page
    Good Essays
    Read More