Miriam Symbolism In The Scarlet Letter

The texts “The Scarlet Letter” and “Miriam” are similar in the way that they are rich with symbolism. The use of symbols in these novels helps the reader realize a subtext. or importance to an object. Symbols often pertain to the main themes of the novel and other parts of the plot such as characters or setting. Particularly in these two stories, there are alot of themes pertaining to darkness, death, and isolation. These themes are supported by certain symbols lying within the text. The Scarlet Letter contains a myriad of symbols that are crucial to the novel. One symbol that is very prominent in the novel is a rosebush or a rose. This is shown when Hawthorne writes, “Finding it so directly n the threshold of our narrative, which is now about to issue from that in auspicious portal, we could hardly do otherwise than pluck one of its flowers, and present it to the reader. It may serve, to let us hope, to symbolize some sweet moral blossom that may be found along the track, or relieve the

He stands to represent all that is evil in the novel. The “Black Man” symbolizes two different characters throughout the book. Hester refers to Dimmesdale's as the “black man” saying,"Once in my life I met the Black Man! This scarlet letter is his mark" (Hawthorne 168). In a way, Dimmesdale is evil because he is Hester’s partner in sin and he took almost ten years to come forward with this. Pearl sees Chillingworth as the “black man” with her innate sense to detect evil when she states, "Come away, mother! Come away, or yonder old Black man will catch you! He hath got hold of the minister already. Come away, mother, or he will catch you! But he cannot catch little Pearl!" (Hawthorne 122). The forest serves as a strong symbol with it not only being the place the crime was committed, but it also being the place that Hester and Dimmesdale plan their escape. It represents not only sin, but also