Symbols and Symbolism in Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter

Symbolism in The Scarlet Letter

In The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, the theme revolves around a sin that has been committed. It takes places in the seventeenth century in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Hester Prynne, who had an affair with the local Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale, commits the sin. Roger Chillingworth is Hester's husband while the affair is taking place. Because of the affair, Hester and Arthur have a daughter named Pearl. The sin that Hester commits is adultery. Hawthorne uses a variety of symbols throughout The Scarlet Letter, and he symbolizes the scarlet letter "A" in several ways.

In the Puritan community, "A" is a sign of punishment, and the red "A" is worn on the chest of the offender's clothing. The "A" may mean adultery, Angel and Able. Hester, after years of helping, serving and sympathizing with the townspeople, was viewed by the Puritans to mean Able rather than adulteress; "A" meant Able; "so strong was Hester Prynne, with a woman's strength" (186). For example, when Hester has won some respect from the Puritans, "Such helpfulness was found in her, -so much... that many people refused to interpret the scarlet "A" by its original signification" (186). To the Puritans the letter "A" also symbolizes an Angel. "A great red letter in the sky, Ñthe letter A..." showed up at Governor Winthrop's death in the sky" (182). "For, as our good Governor Winthrop was made an angel this past night..." (182).

The meaning of the "A" is also different to each of the characters. To Hester it is a constant reminder of humiliation and of the sin that she committed. Dimmesdale believes that the "A" reminds him of his own guilt, and there is no way that he can forgive himself. The "A" to Pearl, a young girl, is a bright and mysterious curiosity. Hester Prynne is an English woman who is punished by having to wear the embroidered scarlet letter "A" on the breasts of her clothing receives public humiliation by standing in front of the townspeople of Boston. The "A" that Hester wears is "... in fine red cloth, surrounded with an elaborate embroidery and fantastic flourishes of gold thread..." (58). Hester Prynne, through the eyes of many Puritans, is an extreme sinner; she has gone against the Puritan ways, committing adultery. For this harsh sin, she must wear a symbol of shame for the rest of her life.