The Swastika In Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter
Although commonly associated with Nazism, the Gammadion Cross, otherwise known as the Swastika, was not always known for hatred, racism, and fascism (Alexander). The Swastika’s origin comes from multiple old world religions and societies that state the symbol was a sign of good fortune (Alexander). This an example of how readily the original meaning of a symbol can change over time. In the Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, Hester Prynne, a Puritan woman of the seventeenth century, wears the iconic scarlet letter A as her punishment for committing adultery and bearing an illegitimate child. The letter serves as a symbol of her sin and exemplifies her disgrace within the community; however, years later it becomes a sign of being able to …show more content…
Without any attention stressing on the letter, the townspeople hardly acknowledge it anymore. During the election of the new governor, Indians present even misunderstood the symbol as one of high rank. The meaning shifts towards indeterminate and the idea of taking off the letter starts up among the magistrates. “It was debated whether or no, with safety to the common weal, yonder scarlet letter might be taken off your bosom. On my life, Hester, I made my entreaty to the worship magistrate that it might be done forthwith” (Hawthorne 153). Although the scarlet letter and the Swastika have concrete meanings, importance fades over time. It points out the pointlessness of symbols used as a punishment and, even though iconic, holds little meaning to the person as time passes.
Commonly, a symbol commences as a principle object of discussion, usually based on rational inquiry and deliberation. The scarlet letter undergoes three distinct changes throughout the book, much like the Swastika throughout cultures. Adverse or not, symbolism personifies as a deeper and more meaningful way of representing certain things. The world presently determines itself on the understanding of various symbols, and without them, the basis of human thought withholds little
What Does Pearl A Symbolize In The Scarlet Letter
452 Words | 2 PagesThroughout the book The Scarlet Letter, there are many cases of symbolism. One of the most prominent ones is the scarlet A on Hesters chest. The A was a symbol for adultery. Pearl was a symbol of the sin that Hester committed. Pearl is also a symbol of the sun between Hester and whatever his face is.
Integrity In The Scarlet Letter And The Crucible By Arthur Miller
511 Words | 3 PagesWhen she wears this, everyone knows that she committed adultery. While her husband was in the army, she had sex with another man and got pregnant. The scarlet letter symbolizes how the world looks at her. It is the symbol of her reputation. “ Thus the young and pure would be taught to look at her, with the scarlet letter flaming on her breast…- at her.
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
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 PagesIn the book, The Scarlet Letter, the author Nathaniel Hawthorne uses symbolism to bolster the characters and to help the readers get a better understanding of them. Symbolism is used by writers to better relate to objects. Some examples of symbolism would be in chapter 7. These would have to include: Pearl/the scarlet letter, the sunlight on Governor Bellingham’s mansion, and the reflection within the suit of armor. These three examples are the most paramount to help to reveal the characters and to distribute Hawthorne’s message.
The Scarlet Letter Rhetorical Analysis
1014 Words | 5 PagesHester has to wear a letter A on her chest for her punishment of adultery. In The Scarlet Letter, the meaning and significance of the letter A is altered as the novel goes on. Hester, the townspeople, and Pearl all have views of the letter that change. Through their views of the letter, Nathaniel Hawthorne, the author, reveals what his view on the letter is. Hester’s view of
Hester Prynne And John Proctor Analysis
705 Words | 3 PagesThe scarlet letter ‘A’ did not stand for “adultery” anymore. It stood for “able.” “The letter was the symbol of her calling. Such helpfulness was found in her, —so much power to do, and power to sympathize, —that many people refused to interpret the scarlet A by its original signification. They said that it meant Able; so strong was Hester Prynne, with a woman's strength.”
Arthur Dimmesdale's Marking Quotes
561 Words | 3 PagesEveryone comes across something in their life that speaks to them--a symbol as it will be called. In the book, The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, there are many symbols, but there is one that really stands out above the rest, and that is the mark on Dimmesdale’s chest. The Scarlet Letter’s primary focus is on the life of Hester Prynne, who had an affair with someone and was accused of the crime and forced to wear a scarlet letter A for the rest of her life. The mark on Arthur Dimmesdale’s chest (although it was never truly stated what the mark actually was) can be seen as guilt in physical form which slowly begins to show over time.
Analysis Of Hester Prynne In The Scarlet Letter
896 Words | 4 PagesThe Scarlet Letter was Hester’s forced punishment and is a reminder to the whole community of Hester’s sin of adultery. As Hester’s character grows in strength she realizes that “if truth were everywhere to be shown, a scarlet letter would blaze forth on many a bosom” (59). Hester expresses how everyone sins and if everyone was punished the way she was, many people would have to wear a letter of their own. The punishment of wearing the “A” gave Hester the freedom of not having to hide her sins from others. However, the people with hidden sins have to protect their reputation which causes a lack of freedom.
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.
Summary: Symbolism Within The Scarlet Letter
616 Words | 3 PagesSymbolism Within The Scarlet Letter Hawthorne created symbolism throughout The Scarlet Letter in order to develop the theme throughout Hester’s life. Hester is portrayed as a sheltered soul, shunned from society due to her adulterous acts. The red A and her daughter, Pearl, are symbols of Hester’s shame which she bares proudly despite society's harsh judgements. Hawthorne is able to use symbolism to develop themes, characters, and analogies in the Scarlet Letter.
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.
Essay On Evil In The Scarlet Letter
719 Words | 3 PagesEven though the Puritans may have designated the letter as a representation of sin, Hester’s renewed sense of pride does not want society to define the A for her. Rather Hester wants to define it herself and by doing so she develops responsibility and power over her own actions. Because Hester has the power to change who she is, she also has the power to change what the Scarlet Letter represents. By letting the letter be “embroidered with gold thread” readers are able to see how for Hester sin is not something to be fearful of; furthermore, it allows one to see how Hester has developed into an independent individual who accepts who she is and the situation she is presented with. Hester’s lover unfortunately
Essay On Literary Devices In Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter
499 Words | 2 PagesThere are various examples of symbolism in The Scarlet Letter, but one of them wraps the whole story together: the meaning of the scarlet letter A. In this passage, Hester Prynne wears an embroidered letter A on her bosom as punishment. At first the A stood for “adulterer”, but the townspeople later gained respect for her and said “Such helpfulness was found in her-so much power to do and to sympathize-that many people refused to interpret the scarlet “A” by its original significance. They said it meant ‘Able’” (Hawthorne 107).
The Symbolism Of 'A' In The Scarlet Letter By Nathaniel Hawthorne
959 Words | 4 PagesWith Hester changing her ways and helping the poor, the community changed, “They said that it meant Able; so strong was Hester Prynne, with a woman’s strength” (Hawthorne 168). While the community originally viewed the “A” as a symbol of sin, they began to see it too as a symbol of being “Able” because all that Hester Prynne had overcome. The Scarlet Letter had many examples of symbolism, but none were more significant that the letter “A”
More about The Swastika In Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter
What Does Pearl A Symbolize In The Scarlet Letter
452 Words | 2 PagesIntegrity In The Scarlet Letter And The Crucible By Arthur Miller
511 Words | 3 PagesPearl Symbolism In Scarlet Letter
502 Words | 3 PagesHester Prynne Symbolism In Scarlet Letter
665 Words | 3 PagesHow Does Nathaniel Hawthorne Use Symbols In The Scarlet Letter
705 Words | 3 PagesThe Scarlet Letter Rhetorical Analysis
1014 Words | 5 PagesHester Prynne And John Proctor Analysis
705 Words | 3 PagesArthur Dimmesdale's Marking Quotes
561 Words | 3 PagesAnalysis Of Hester Prynne In The Scarlet Letter
896 Words | 4 PagesReading Response To Nathaniel Hawthorne's 'The Scarlet Letter'
1146 Words | 5 PagesSummary: Symbolism Within The Scarlet Letter
616 Words | 3 PagesWhat Does The Deep Red Symbolize In The Scarlet Letter
940 Words | 4 PagesEssay On Evil In The Scarlet Letter
719 Words | 3 PagesEssay On Literary Devices In Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter
499 Words | 2 PagesThe Symbolism Of 'A' In The Scarlet Letter By Nathaniel Hawthorne
959 Words | 4 Pages