What Does The Sin Symbolize In The Scarlet Letter

The Scarlet Letter Essay
In The Scarlet Letter, Nathaniel Hawthorne found numerous ways to effectively develop his plot; symbolism being his strongest form when describing characters and events. With various symbols hidden within the text, Pearl, the Scarlet Letter , and the Meteor show how Puritans in the book have different views than Hawthorne. The symbols in the book are used to describe innocence, sin, and compassion during Puritan times.
The letter ‘A’ Hester wears is an important symbol Hawthorn uses to develop his plot throughout the book. In the beginning of the story the letter stands for adultery, it is worn on her bosom to show the sin she committed. The Puritans main purpose of the letter is to punish Hester but it is not until later in the story that the letter starts to represent how ‘Able’ Hester is for helping others out even when she is isolated from society. The Puritans use this symbol to make Hester feel alone, outcasted, and shameful, but they also use letter to show how she is marked with the sin forever. In “The Scarlet Letter” the

Dimmesdale have committed. Pearl’s name itself has its own meaning, in The Scarlet Letter it states, “But she named the infant “Pearl,” as being of great price-- purchased with all she had,-- her mother's only treasure!” (Hawthorn 81) . Pearl helps the reader understand the book because she is the balances out the evil in other characters, she acts devious sometimes but it is unintentional, which shows that she is still a kid. In many ways, Pearl is like an unsolved mystery because it is only towards the end of the book that she finds out Mr. Dimmesdale is her father. Once Dimmesdale admits his sin during the sermon Pearl kisses him and with that compassionate action we as readers see how Pearl is no longer a symbol of sin, but a young women. (Pearl, Hester’s Daughter in The Scarlet Letter,