The Black Man Symbolism In The Scarlet Letter

In story of the Scarlet Letter there were two main symbols that were constantly displayed, and those would be the forest and "The Black Man." this is used as a representation and not a literal reference to a black man. The Black Man is what Pearl calls Chillingworth throughout the story and later Hester begins to do the same. This is due to the fact of his deteriorating appearance and personality.
As stated In the previous paragraph The Black Man is used as a representation and not a literal reference to a black man. This was due to the fact of his deteriorating appearance and personality. The Black Man is a reference or symbol of Satan. Chillingworth had become obsessed with seeking out the man that his "wife" Hester had committed the sinful act of adultery with. We all learn later that this person was none other than Reverend Dimmesdale. This was evident when we saw Dimmesdale's chest, and saw a somewhat burned letter A into his chest. Chillingworth many times cornered Dimmesdale into confessing about Hester and Pearl. Chillingworth manipulated Dimmesdale and made his guilt worse than what it was, which caused him to nearly confess in one of his sermons and on the scaffold.

The second symbol of the story would be the Forest.

The forest represents symbols of being lost morally or spiritually. It could also be seen as the unknown and the beauty of life in a way. A good example of this would be in the first chapter with the rosebush. Throughout the story we realize Dimmesdale has lost his way spiritually and Hester in the beginning lost her way morally. Hester was also compared to that of a forest as well when Nathaniel compares Hester's outcast to a forest: "She had wandered, without rule or guidance, in a moral wilderness; as vast, as intricate and shadowy, as the untamed forest," and Dimmesdale has lost his way spiritually thanks to the sin he committed with Hester, so he begins to demonstrate his own form of

punishment.
After the two go through their own sets of trials, by chance the two meet in the forest. When talking all the unknown facts between the two are uncovered. Hester reveals who Chillingworth really was, and they both semi answer if either have found peace. essentially no, but they both find comfort in someone who can see them for what and who they really are. After these few exchanges of word Dimmesdale says he will never forgive her, but she says he will and they hug things out. In a way this also relates the forest also having the beauty of life and passion. Later because of the things they share it moves Hester enough to remove her A, and let down her hair. In a way the forest transformed her after removing the unknown veil, and next was Dimmesdale. He regains his youth, and his color, and they both suggest to run away together and the forest itself seemed to bless their decision with the singing of birds and bringing out the sunshine.
in conclusion the forest was a major symbol of being lost morally or spiritually. This forest was significant in the story for Chillingworth, Hester, and Dimmesdale. Chillingworth also received his herbs from this forest, and because of the unknown, lawless, free form religion and puritan restrictions forest, Dimmesdale and Hester can both be free. This forest played a major for all characters, being as though it was said that The Black Man watched over the forest. Without the forest, the characters wouldn’t have been able to become free and confess to one another, and Chillingworth may have ended up getting exactly what he wanted and that was his revenge.