Symbolism in the scarlet letter

GCSE Religious Studies (Philosophy & Ethics)

Symbolism in the scarlet letter

Nathaniel Hawthorne’s use of recurring symbols in The Scarlet Letter, such as: Pearl, the scarlet letter ‘A’, and the color red, help the reader gain a clearer view of his feelings about major events and characters that present themselves as the plot progresses. Along with giving the reader insight into the true meaning of the story, the use of such symbols also allows the reader to establish a deeper understanding of the story and one of it’s major themes, sin and the road to redemption.

Hester Prynne’s daughter, Pearl, helps establish multiple themes throughout the story. She metaphorically represents Hester’s sin, punishment, and solitary path to redemption. At the same time, Pearl is the physical evidence of Hester’s sin, and therefore presents her true punishment, raising the child correctly in a puritanical society. Contrary to Hester‘s knowledge, doing so would present her path to redemption.

“But she named the infant ‘Pearl,’ as being of great price, - purchased with all

she had, - her mother’s only treasure! How strange, indeed! Man had marked this

woman’s sin by a scarlet letter, which had such potent and disastrous efficacy

that no human sympathy could reach her, save it were sinful like herself. God, as

a direct consequence of the sin which man thus punished, had given her a lovely

child, whose place was on the same dishonored bosom, to connect her parent for

ever with the race and descent of mortals, and to be finally a blessed soul in heaven!” (Hawthorne 59)

However, Hester fails to acknowledge Pearl as her punishment and evidence of her sin. By doing so, she fails to notice her only road to salvation. Instead, Hester focuses on the material embodiments of her sin. This causes her to overlook the true representation of her sin, even when it is in fact represented in her own daughter. By clothing Pearl in the most brilliant of fabrics adorned with gold embroidery, Hester reveals to the reader her attempts to avert attention away from her sin and the ‘A’ that she has been sentenced to wear. Therefore, bye hiding the ...

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Along with Pearl, the scarlet ‘A’ is an obvious symbol for Hester’s sin. However, there are major differences between the two and their representations of her sin. (“The Scarlet Letter” 314) Unlike Pearl, the scarlet ‘A’ is a material signature of her sin, rather than a physical embodiment of it. While Pearl is Hester’s true punishment issued by the “Holy Father,” the scarlet ‘A’ is Hester’s social punishment issued by the people of her society. Although originally a display of her punishment, it is also a symbol of Hester’s progress in her journey along the path to her redemption. As Pearl ages and Hester continues raising her only daughter in a mostly unforgiving community, it is evident that the ‘A’ which once stood for “adultery” now stands for “able.” (Brackett 269)

“Her breast, with it’s badge of shame, was but the softer pillow for the head that

needed one. She was self-ordained a Sister of Mercy, or, we may rather say, the

world’s heavy hand had so ordained her, when neither the world nor she looked

forward to this result. 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 it’s original signification. They said

that it meant Able; so strong was Hester Prynne, with a woman’s strength.”

(Hawthorne 107)

One of the more universal symbols and consequently the one with the most occurrences is the color red. In the novel it is used not only as a symbol of pain, suffering, sin, and guilt, but it is also used as an image of beauty and elegance. The red rose outside of the prison cell that Pearl was picked from is a symbol of beauty, while at the same time symbolizes Hester’s sin and represents the absence of the Lord in Pearl’s life. By denying her belief in a “Heavenly Father” and instead claiming to be picked from the rose, it is revealed to the reader that Pearl was born from her mother’s sin.

“After putting her finger in her mouth, with many ungracious refusals to answer

good Mr. Wilson’s question, the child finally announced that she had not been

made at all, but had been plucked by her mother off the bush of wild roses that

grew by the prison-door.” (Hawthorne 74-75)

The color red is also used to show pain and suffering in the novel. When Chillingsworth looks in amazement at Dimmesdale’s chest while he is asleep, he makes an astonishing discovery.

“The physician advanced directly in front of his patient, laid his hand upon his bosom, and thrust aside the vestment, that hitherto had always covered it even from the professional eye.

Then, indeed, Mr. Dimmesdale shuddered, and slightly stirred.

After a brief pause, the physician turned away.

But with what a wild look of wonder, joy, and honor! With what a ghastly rapture, as it were, too mighty to bee expressed only by the eye and features, and therefore bursting forth through the whole ugliness of his figure, and making itself even riotously manifest by the extravagant gestures with which he threw up his arms towards the ceiling, and stamped his foot upon the floor! Had a man seen old Roger Chillingsworth, at that moment of his ecstasy, he would have had no need to ask how Satan comports himself when a precious human soul is lost to heaven, and won into his kingdom.

But what distinguished the physician‘s ecstasy from Satan‘s was the trait of wonder in it!” (Hawthorne 92)

This passage makes the reader wonder, what Chillingsworth could have possibly discovered about the reverend that would cause him to react in such a demonic way. Hawthorne later reveals the answer.

“And thus, while standing on the scaffold, in this vain show of expiation, Mr. Dimmesdale was overcome with a great horror of mind, as if the universe were gazing at a scarlet token on his naked breast, right over his heart. On that spot, in very truth, there was, and there had long been, the gnawing and poisonous tooth of bodily pain.” (Hawthorne 99)

Hawthorne uses this scene to reveal to the reader that Dimmesdale, too, has some marking which shows his hidden sin and torments his soul, “the scarlet token.” Chillingsworth found this on Dimmesdale’s chest that night and rejoiced in happiness, for it also reveals that Dimmesdale is in-fact the final piece to the puzzle. Feeling guilty, the reverend whips his chest nightly and keeps the wound on his chest fresh so that it is the color of blood, obviously causing him also to suffer, as Hester is.

In conclusion, the theme of sin and redemption in The Scarlet Letter progressed and was driven by the recurring symbols used by Nathaniel Hawthorne. More specifically three main symbols: Pearl, the scarlet letter ‘A’, and the color red. Not only do these help to evolve the theme and plot of the novel, they also give the reader insight into Hawthorne’s views and feelings of specific events and characters.