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Hester Prynne Symbolism In The Scarlet Letter

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In Nathaniel Hawthorne's "The Scarlet Letter" the story is a profusion of symbols, hidden lies, and sin. The protagonist is Hester Prynne, a beautiful young woman who is oppressed for her infidelity and has to wear a crimson letter 'A'. This letter not only represents she is an adulterer, but is a constant reminder of her diminishing reputation and the loss of acceptance in the puritan community. Hester gets pregnant and as result a beautiful baby named Pearl is born.The illegitimate daughter also has a father. Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale is perceived as a man of God, but shares the same sin as Hester. Hester does not want to compromise Dimmesdale's reputation and public opinion, so she takes a seal of silence and a pact of confidentiality. The identity of the father was hidden inside the scarlet letter. Hester's motherly instincts made Pearl embrace the scarlet as a place of comfort and familiarity. The scarlet letter symbolizes adultery, and acceptance.

Hester shares the physiological stress of the sinful act of adultery in her chest. The fact that she did not reveal the partner, says she wants to save someone else's dignity and reputation than herself. The Scarlet Letter is embraced by Hester, but signifies the shame and malignant reputation that is to come. After being in prison for …show more content…

Its shows the different trails each character takes and how the one scarlet "A" can change meaning and bring a man to his death. For Hester it is a painful reminder of her adultery. For Dimmesdale it is a secret reminder of his part of his involvement in the role which he conceals, and the torment he brings upon himself for not making his sin public. Pearl embraces the Scarlet Letter and makes us think that this symbolic object although small can transport the reader to the world of the mysterious and dangerous

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