Scaffold Symbolism In Scarlet Letter
The Symbolism of a Non-Functioning Puritanical Instrument of Public Humiliation
The scaffold in the Scarlet Letter is symbolizes a place where the entire town can gather and important events occur. In the novel, anytime that the scaffolding is mentioned, the main characters are brought together by a matter of circumstance. The scaffold is used by the characters throughout the book to either project their emotions or have emotions projected upon themselves. Each time the focus is on Hester Prynne's scarlet letter and the events surrounding her. The first scaffold scene occurs at the beginning of the novel when Hester stands on the scaffold with an infant in her arms at midday. She has committed the sin of adultery and must be made an example …show more content…
The audience is prepared for this scene by Hawthorne’s focusing on Hester’s scarlet letter which has become a familiar sight in the town. After his Election Day sermon, Arthur Dimmesdale is seen climbing onto the platform and asks Hester and Pearl to join him. Hester’s strength is necessary for the purpose he has in mind. Chillingworth is also present in the crowd, as he has been on the earlier two occasions. He tries to prevent the minister from mounting the scaffold. In the first scaffold scene, he wanted to know the name of Hester’s fellow-sinner. In the second scene, the suspicion about his identity turned into fact. Chillingworth whispers, “Do not perish in dishonor, I can yet save you.” But Dimmesdale brushes him aside and mounts the scaffold. He has decided that he shall be the one to tell everyone what he has done. He tells Hester that he is doing God’s will. He rips apart the front of his vestment, and reveals his sins to the world. The reader is left in the dark about what is shown, but it can be assumed it is the mark of his sins. Suddenly, his soul can't take it anymore, and he dies. but not before proclaiming that "His will be done!". By revealing his sins to the people, he is finally let go, both from mental anguish and in
The scaffold in the Scarlet Letter is symbolizes a place where the entire town can gather and important events occur. In the novel, anytime that the scaffolding is mentioned, the main characters are brought together by a matter of circumstance. The scaffold is used by the characters throughout the book to either project their emotions or have emotions projected upon themselves. Each time the focus is on Hester Prynne's scarlet letter and the events surrounding her. The first scaffold scene occurs at the beginning of the novel when Hester stands on the scaffold with an infant in her arms at midday. She has committed the sin of adultery and must be made an example …show more content…
The audience is prepared for this scene by Hawthorne’s focusing on Hester’s scarlet letter which has become a familiar sight in the town. After his Election Day sermon, Arthur Dimmesdale is seen climbing onto the platform and asks Hester and Pearl to join him. Hester’s strength is necessary for the purpose he has in mind. Chillingworth is also present in the crowd, as he has been on the earlier two occasions. He tries to prevent the minister from mounting the scaffold. In the first scaffold scene, he wanted to know the name of Hester’s fellow-sinner. In the second scene, the suspicion about his identity turned into fact. Chillingworth whispers, “Do not perish in dishonor, I can yet save you.” But Dimmesdale brushes him aside and mounts the scaffold. He has decided that he shall be the one to tell everyone what he has done. He tells Hester that he is doing God’s will. He rips apart the front of his vestment, and reveals his sins to the world. The reader is left in the dark about what is shown, but it can be assumed it is the mark of his sins. Suddenly, his soul can't take it anymore, and he dies. but not before proclaiming that "His will be done!". By revealing his sins to the people, he is finally let go, both from mental anguish and in