What Does The Rose Bush Symbolize In Chapter 9 Of The Scarlet Letter
Scarlet Letter Chapter Notes
Karthik Suresh
Custom House:
Chapter 1: In Chapter 1, Hawthorne uses the prison to foreshadow themes like sinning, individuality, and nature that ultimately serve as metaphors into Hester’s underlying conflict and harsh nature of the Puritan law. Hawthorne uses the prison to depict the harsh law: old and rusted but with its “iron-work of its oaken door” or harsh nature. The Puritan law is described to be archaic even though the society has matured. Consequently, Hawthorne describes it as being “antique”, yet “iron-clamped”. Hawthorne then references Hutchinson, which further reinforces the rigid Puritan rule and its strictness in dealing with deviations from the norm. The rose-bush is also a symbol that Hawthorne uses to describe nature and beauty of the Puritan society. Hawthorne implies that the rose-bush represents the true wilderness that can not be untamed just like Hester’s actions. …show more content…
The community is described to have a grim fascination with crime and punishment that opposite to the Puritan way of life. Some of the Puritans say that Revered Dimmesdale should be ashamed that someone in his congregation has committed this atrocious sin. Hawthorne uses this to foreshadow Dimmesdale’s fate. Hawthorne also introduces us to the scarlet A. This A represents the nonconformity and individuality Hester possesses. The scarlet letter carries a touch of irony because she wears the A without any embarrassment. Also, Hester’s appearance, which contrasts with most of the Puritans, shows the individuality she
Karthik Suresh
Custom House:
Chapter 1: In Chapter 1, Hawthorne uses the prison to foreshadow themes like sinning, individuality, and nature that ultimately serve as metaphors into Hester’s underlying conflict and harsh nature of the Puritan law. Hawthorne uses the prison to depict the harsh law: old and rusted but with its “iron-work of its oaken door” or harsh nature. The Puritan law is described to be archaic even though the society has matured. Consequently, Hawthorne describes it as being “antique”, yet “iron-clamped”. Hawthorne then references Hutchinson, which further reinforces the rigid Puritan rule and its strictness in dealing with deviations from the norm. The rose-bush is also a symbol that Hawthorne uses to describe nature and beauty of the Puritan society. Hawthorne implies that the rose-bush represents the true wilderness that can not be untamed just like Hester’s actions. …show more content…
The community is described to have a grim fascination with crime and punishment that opposite to the Puritan way of life. Some of the Puritans say that Revered Dimmesdale should be ashamed that someone in his congregation has committed this atrocious sin. Hawthorne uses this to foreshadow Dimmesdale’s fate. Hawthorne also introduces us to the scarlet A. This A represents the nonconformity and individuality Hester possesses. The scarlet letter carries a touch of irony because she wears the A without any embarrassment. Also, Hester’s appearance, which contrasts with most of the Puritans, shows the individuality she