Assignment #2

In Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter, several symbols can be found throughout the novel. Hester Prynne’s daughter, Pearl, is a symbol herself. Pearl represents, in a sense, Hester’s problem. She is a symbol of her mother’s sin, as Pearl came as a result of the adultery between Hester and (although unknown until the end) Reverend Dimmesdale. Using Pearl as an example of Hester’s sin reveals much about Hester’s character. She refuses to leave the town she is in as to make a better life for her daughter. In a sense, Hester is accepting her “sin” and will continue living her life with it.

            The scarlet letter “A” worn on Hester’s chest itself is a symbol. As the novel, begins, the scarlet letter simply symbolizes Hester’s sins, as does Pearl. The “A” is for the adultery she committed. The letter is a symbol of her shame and punishment. As the novel progresses, and Hester begins to embrace the “A”, however, the symbolic meaning of the scarlet letter changes. The letter begins to become more of a sign of hope and a new life. As she begins to embrace it, she also begins to accept her standing in society and the attitude of the town’s people towards her. Hester begins making something out of nothing when she learns to accept the scarlet letter.

In The Scarlet Letter, many of the important events are emphasized for their setting in either darkness or light. The darkness symbolizes evil while the light symbolizes the good. For instance, many of Hester’s meetings with Reverend Dimmesdale occur during the night, as it is known that if the word got out that Dimmesdale had committed adultery, the town would be ruined, as he was their leader, their role model in a way. They meet at night in the forest, and again on the scaffold. Several times it is mentioned that the light shines on Pearl, but never on Hester. This represents the innocence and good in Pearl, and shows how no matter what Hester does, she is still a sinner and looked down upon by society.