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Symbolism In The Scarlet Lette - Papers Online

Symbolism In The Scarlet Lette

Symbol is a person, place, thing or event that has meaning in itself and that also stands for something more than itself. "Symbolists believed that direct statements of feeling were inadequate; instead they called for new and striking symbols to evoke complexities of mood and meaning", says a 11th grade literature book. In his novel The Scarlet Letter, Nathaniel Hawthorne makes extensive uses of symbolism. The letter "A", the sunlight, the forest and the scaffold all take a larger meaning, which enhance the theme and the plot of the play.
The letter "A" which Hester Prynne wears upon her chest, changes it's meaning many times throughout the novel. This change is significant. It shows ...

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the poor and sick. "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"(Hawthorne 141). At this point, the townspeople no longer think Hester as the Adulteress, "Do you see that woman with the embroidered badge? It is our Hester- the town's own Hester- who is so kind to the poor, so helpful to the sick, so comforting to the afflicted"(Hawthorne 142)! The townspeople soon begin to believe that the badge serves to ward off evil, and Hester grows to be quite loved amongst the people of the town. This confirms one of the novelЬМ major theme: sin is relative not absolute. Hester overcomes the shame of her sin through the purity and goodness of her soul. Unselfishly offering her time and love to those who need her the most, thus proves that she was not worthy of the fate which had been dealt to her.
The forest and sunshine ...

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Symbolism In The Scarlet Lette. (2008, June 8). Retrieved January 6, 2026, from http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Symbolism-In-The-Scarlet-Lette/84921

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PAPER DETAILS

Added: 6/8/2008 09:48:09 AM
Category: English
Type: Premium Paper
Words: 1064
Pages: 4

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