Hidden Symbolism In Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter
The Scarlet Letter: Hidden Symbolism
"It may serve, let us hope, to symbolize some sweet moral blossom that may be found along the track, or relieve the darkening close of a tale of human frailty and sorrow" (Hawthorne 60). The Scarlet Letter, written by Nathaniel Hawthorne, although normally perceived as lifeless, is one of the most relevant and timeless novels. According to Lei, in the literary world, it is even largely considered one of the first symbolic novels published in America. The depth of symbolism found throughout the novel is truly astounding. “Throughout the novel, The Scarlet Letter, the author, Nathaniel Hawthorne uses a few key symbols to represent major themes in the book” (Erich Musick). The most significant symbols included are the scarlet letter, nature, and Pearl.
Nathaniel Hawthorne was born on July 4, 1804, in
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Pearl is seen as a devil child by the Puritan community, even making her own mother question her humanity. “...sometimes so malicious… that Hester could not help questioning, at such moments, whether Pearl was a human child” (Hawthorne 101). In the novel she is shown scaring away other children by throwing rocks at them. Described as, “An imp of evil, emblem and product of sin,” Pearl represents the scarlet A in a negative way (Hawthorne 102). Being the legitimate symbol of the scarlet letter herself, Pearl’s biggest symbolic representation is Hester’s sin. The scarlet letter was evil, hence Pearl was also perceived as evil.
The Scarlet Letter, after thorough examination, is filled with hidden symbols. This creates a sense of mystery and encourages the reader to think more about what they are reading. Throughout the novel the scarlet letter, nature, and Pearl all continue to play a huge role in symbolism. However, many more symbols and connections can be made. The Scarlet Letter is not only a novel about an adulterous woman, rather it is about finding the symbolism under each
Scarlet Letter Revenge Quotes
731 Words | 3 PagesWhat makes Pearl an important symbol is she is a living reminder of Hester’s transgression and Pearl’s wild, passionate nature. Excluded outside of society and sometimes thought to be the Devil’s child, she is “her mother’s only treasure…that no human sympathy could reach” and “rather an airy sprite” (pg. 61, 63). Having keen insight, she figures out what really happened between the characters before the adults find out. Because of this, she displays curious signs of recognition or defiance towards certain people she encounters. When the truth is finally revealed to the public, she is no longer a symbol but a normal human
Pearl Symbolism In Scarlet Letter
502 Words | 3 PagesWhile reading The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, it is obvious that he uses a lot of symbolism throughout his writing to give the readers a deeper understanding of the Puritans and their views in these times. In this book, the community forces Hester Prynne to wear a scarlet letter on her chest to show her abashment for committing adultery and having a child, Pearl. However, Pearl is actually used as a symbol throughout this book to represent the physical embodiment of Hester’s sin, the repercussions of her breaking the law, and an unworldly being in the usual strict Puritan society. In the beginning of the book, Hawthorne uses Pearl as a way to constantly remind Hester of her sin and as a link between the secret relationship of Hester
Chillingworth In The Scarlet Letter
811 Words | 4 PagesWaggoner states, “Pearl is a difficult child, capricious, unintentionally cruel, unfeeling in her demand for truth, but she has both the ‘naturalness’ and the beauty of the rose, and like the rose she is a symbol of love and promise,” (Waggoner 335). Pearl is a symbol of her mother’s sin, but she Hawthorne doesn’t portray her character as a sin. She is a very beautiful young girl in their harsh Puritan community. Hawthorne proclaims, “We have spoken of Pearl’s rich and luxuriant beauty; a beauty that shone with deep and vivid tints,” (Hawthorne 69). Pearl’s beauty is natural she shows it through her imagination and spirituality.
Shame Symbolism In Scarlet Letter
480 Words | 2 PagesThe scarlet letter itself becomes an even weightier symbol in these chapters. Whereas at first it represented Hester's adultery and her needlework skills, it now takes on two more meanings. First, the letter begins
Chapter 16 Symbolism In The Scarlet Letter
509 Words | 3 Pages“Pearl took some eelgrass, and … imitated, on her own bosom, the decoration… on her mother’s : A letter “A”, but freshly green, instead of scarlet!”, a quote pulled from Chapter 15, is another attempt by Hawthorne to convey the contrasting ideal of Pearl’s innocence and purity to Hester’s sin. The green of this imitated scarlet letter worn by Pearl is associated with nature and purity, while the scarlet of Hester’s original letter is typically associated with passion and
How Does Nathaniel Hawthorne Use Biblical Allusions In The Scarlet Letter
1458 Words | 6 PagesNathaniel Hawthorne, a famous American author from the antebellum period, notices the emphasis on individual freedoms in the works by Ralph Waldo Emerson and other Transcendentalists during his residency in the Brook Farm’s community. In response to these ideas, Hawthorne writes The Scarlet Letter, a historical novel about Hester Prynne and Arthur Dimmesdale’s lives as they go through ignominy, penance, and deprecation from their Puritan community to express their strong love for each other. Their love, even though it is true, is not considered as holy nor pure because of Hester past marriage to Roger Chillingworth, and thus Hester gained the Scarlet Letter for being an adulterer. Hawthorne utilizes biblical allusions, such as the stories of
The Symbolic Pearl In The Scarlet Letter
748 Words | 3 PagesThe Symbolic Pearl Symbolism is a technique used by all writers, and The Scarlet Letter is no exception. The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne is full of symbolism. Actually Hawthorne is one of the most prolific symbolist in American literature. Characters, events, relationships, feelings, and even weather are part of or are symbolism. Pearl is a complicated symbol of an act of love and passion.
Hester Prynne Symbolism In Scarlet Letter
665 Words | 3 PagesThe book The Scarlet Letter by Nathanial Hawthorne has symbolism all throughout it. People and objects are symbolic of events and thoughts. Throughout the book, Nathaniel Hawthorne uses Hester, Pearl, and Arthur Dimmesdale to signify philosophies that are evident during this time period. Hester Prynne, through the eyes of the Puritans, is an extreme sinner; she has gone against their ways, committing adultery. For this sin, she must wear a symbol of shame for the rest of her life.
How Does Nathaniel Hawthorne Use Symbols In The Scarlet Letter
705 Words | 3 PagesPearl is a symbol of the scarlet letter. She was born due to adultery, which is the same reason as to why Hester wears the scarlet letter A. In chapter 7, Pearl is coincidentally put into a red tunic, “...arraying her in a crimson velvet tunic … and flourishes of gold-thread” (Hawthorne 92), which makes Hester realize that she is the human version of the scarlet letter. By Hester realizing this, it shows to the reader that Pearl can be a “sin” and a “blessing” all at the same time.
The Symbolism Of Pearl In The Scarlet Letter
465 Words | 2 PagesAccording to Dictionary.com symbolism can be defined as, “the practice of representing things by symbols, or of investing things with a symbolic meaning or character.” Nathaniel Hawthorne places many symbols in The Scarlet Letter, such as Pearl. In the novel, Pearl is known as a symbol of treasure for Hester, sin, and unusualness. In the Scarlet Letter, Nathaniel Hawthorne refers to the book of Matthew when he gives the name Pearl to the character.
Who Is Pearl In The Scarlet Letter
562 Words | 3 PagesIn The Scarlet Letter, Pearl is a very important character and she symbolizes a lot. Pearl is also very smart. She figures out before many of the adults in the town, that Dimmesdale is her father. Pearl also has a big imagination. She when she plays alone, she can turn anything as simple as a stick or a rock into something aminated, and something she play with.
Reading Response To Nathaniel Hawthorne's 'The Scarlet Letter'
1146 Words | 5 PagesAmanda Vicente The Scarlet Letter Reading Response AP English Language Period J 16 August 2016 Journal Entry 1: Chapters 1-2 In The Scarlet Letter, the author sets a mood from the beginning of the book. The setting is old and beat up in front of an aged wooden prison with judgmental Puritans ready to tear a women apart. The Puritans are hypocrites and the author portrays that in the story.
What Does The Deep Red Symbolize In The Scarlet Letter
940 Words | 4 PagesHawthorne uses symbolism throughout the Scarlet letter to display the sin and indecency people see Hester as. The detail represents ,the deep beauty Hester has inside although most people do not see her as a beutiful women. The deep red is a representation of adultery which shows her being an oncast from society. The symbol of the letter “A” is repetitive throughout the novel and grows with Hester and overcomes this with time as people start to see her as a person again and not just a adulterer. Hester acknowledges her sin in her puritan faith but swears to secrecy on the father of Pearl.
Symbolism Of Pearl In Scarlet Letter
744 Words | 3 PagesThis role of her being an antagonistic protagonist creates a paradox within the already complex and unusual child. The symbol of Pearl plays an important part in the novel The Scarlet Letter. She is a reminder of her mother 's sin and antagonist toward Hester, as well. She is the root of many other symbols in the book.
Gothic Elements In Nathaniel Hawthorne's 'The Scarlet Letter'
1284 Words | 6 PagesIn The Scarlet Letter, Hawthorne effectively conforms to the conventions of the gothic genre for the purpose of characterizing the Puritan society as oppressive, portraying the hypocrisy found within the society and highlighting the consequences for not confessing
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