What Does The Ambush Symbolize In The Scarlet Letter

1052 Words3 Pages

In the book The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, there are many examples of symbolism. Symbolism is the idea of how the author connects one abstract idea to an object. Some examples of symbolism in the book are the little brook that runs through the forest, the scarlet letter that Hester wears, the forest, Pearl, the rosebush outside the prison door, and the meteor in the sky. This paper will only be talking about four of the previously mentioned examples: Pearl, the letter that Hester wears, the meteor and the rosebush.
Symbolism is the way an author uses another object to represent the greater thought in their head. “We are frequently asked to consider things as symbolic; objects, persons and events are called signs rather than being …show more content…

Some examples of symbolism are Pearl and how she was of great price to Hester yet she is also an example of sin, the scarlet letter that Hester had to wear. The letter could mean able, it stood for the grace that Hester had while wearing it and the main meaning behind it was adultery, the sin that Hester committed. The rosebush is a symbol of defiance and the moral blossoms in one’s heart. They give those who have no hope, hope and the realization that not everything in the world is terrible. The last item that was explained was the meteor that was shaped like a large red “A”. The townspeople believed that the meteor was a sign of the governor that they had just lost becoming an angel. Dimmesdale thought that the “A” stood for his unnamed sin. The book stated no specific meaning of the elusive letter and it was left up to the reader to interpretation. The meaning behind anything symbolic is different to everyone because people have different opinions. Using the definition of symbolism and having examples in a literary work helps the reader better comprehend what they read and give the topic a deeper meaning. The comprehension process and makes it easier to

Show More
Related

  • The Scarlett Letter: Compybols And Symbolism In The Scarlet Letter

    1319 Words  | 3 Pages

    Symbolism plays a very important part in Scarlet Letter because it helps to identify characters and the main ideas of the story. It can help a reader to visualize and understand the meaning of the story better when there are symbols to help explain the meaning of something. Hawthorne uses Hester Prynne, Pearl, and Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale as symbols all throughout the book. They are the main characters of the story and they all overcome some difficulties in the end. They all have important roles in the book.

    Read More

  • What Does Dill Symbolize In To Kill A Mockingbird

    1048 Words  | 3 Pages

    According to Google, symbolism in literature is defined as the use of symbols to signify ideas and qualities by giving them symbolic meanings that are different from their literal sense. Symbolism can be seen throughout media and in many pieces of literature including To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee. In the book, the symbol of the mockingbird represents the character Boo Radley, and how his story teaches people to not always believe what others have to say about someone without being able to  prove it true for themselves.

    Read More

  • Symbolism in How I Learned to Drive by Paula Vogel

    3187 Words  | 7 Pages

    Symbolism can be defined as “the representation of a reality on one level of reference by a corresponding reality on another” (“Symbolism” 564). The word symbol comes from the Greek word "symballein," which translates literally into “to throw together” and suggests the combining of two unrelated worlds. Much...

    Read More

  • Clothing in Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter

    1190 Words  | 3 Pages

    “Symbols are objects, characters, figures, or colors used by the author to represent abstract ideas or concepts.” Symbolism in literature is the depth and hidden meaning in any piece of work. The Scarlet Letter, by Nathaniel Hawthorne is a powerful and evocative novel laced with symbolism. The most obvious is the symbol of the scarlet letter itself, representing Hester’s sin of adultery. Hawthorne’s other symbols are less obvious and are very often obscured in the novel.

    Read More

  • Symbolism and Irony in The Cask of Amontillado

    1301 Words  | 3 Pages

    Symbolism is something that represents more than what it really is. It is often by authors in their writing to give it more emphasis. For example:" In life there will always be peaks and valleys" meaning in life there will be ups and downs but we should enjoy the peaks and fight through the valleys. Objects can also be a form of symbolism such as The Bible, it represents more than just a book. It represents Life, Church, Religion, and the life of Jesus Christ and what he stood for. Irony is like a twist or words or the opposite of what is intended. For example: Laughing at someone that just slipped and fell, then later you find yourself slipping and falling is a form of irony. Irony is found in real life situations as well as writings. Symbolism is a technique that gives authors a better story and shows objects as more than what they are. They use techniques like this to catch the reader’s attention.

    Read More

  • Isolation Through Symbolism in Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter

    690 Words  | 2 Pages

    A symbol is an object used to stand for something else. Symbolism has a hidden meaning lying within it; these meanings unite to form a more detailed theme. Symbolism is widely used in The Scarlet Letter to help the reader better understand the deep meanings Nathaniel Hawthorne portrays throughout his novel. He shows that sin, known or unknown to the community, isolates a person from their community and from God. Hawthorne also shows this by symbols in nature around the town, natural symbols in the heavens, and nature in the forest.

    Read More

  • Nathaniel Hawthorne's Use of Pearl in The Scarlet Letter

    440 Words  | 1 Pages

    Often in novels writers use symbolism as a device to make their themes and ideas come across clearly to the reader. In the novel The Scarlet Letter, Nathaniel Hawthorne uses many forms of symbolism. People and objects are symbolic of events and thoughts of hawthorn throughout the course of the book. The Scarlet letter itself is a symbol he uses to contradict the puritanical society of the story. Nathaniel Hawthorne uses Pearl both as a symbol in the novel, and to work on the consciences of Hester and Dimmesdale.

    Read More

  • Fallen Angels Summary

    839 Words  | 2 Pages

    3. An example of Symbolism can be found in Richie’s letters to home being that they help represent his attitude towards the war and how it changes. At the beginning of the book the letters are optimistic and seemingly care-free but, as the novel progresses his letter’s become an honest representation of his thoughts and feelings which are anything but optimistic.

    Read More

  • Essay On The Scarlet Letter Symbolism

    841 Words  | 2 Pages

    Symbols in literature are an essential element to the story and to the characters they apply to. Symbols link the whole work together and offer a deeper meaning to something that may appear shallow on the surface. However, these symbols are usually static. For Hester Prynne in the gothic romance, The Scarlet Letter and her symbol of a bright red A emblazoned on her chest this is not so. The symbol of Hester’s sin in The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne proves that stigmas and reputations can change from a mark of shame and disgrace into a mark of respect and honor.

    Read More

  • Symbolism and Allegory in Hawthorne's Young Goodman Brown

    718 Words  | 2 Pages

    Symbolism, something that figuratively represents something else, is prominent in many literary works. One piece of literature that stands out as a perfect example of symbolism is Nathaniel Hawthorne's "Young Goodman Brown." This story is completely symbolic, and provides a good example of an allegory, or a story in which concrete items or characters represent abstract ideas. Hawthorne uses both objects and people as symbols to better support the allegorical tones throughout "Young Goodman Brown."

    Read More

  • Symbolism Used in The Scarlet Letter

    1071 Words  | 3 Pages

    In Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter, symbolsim is constantly present in the actual scarlet letter “A” as it is viewed as a symbol of sin and the gradally changes its meanign, guilt is also a mejore symbol, and Pearl’s role in this novel is symbolic as well. The Scarlet Letter includes many profound and crucial symbols. these devices of symbolism are best portayed in the novel, most noticably through the letter “A” best exemplifies the changes in the symbolic meaning throughout the novel.

    Read More

  • Theme Of A Chair For My Mother

    957 Words  | 2 Pages

    Symbolism has many effects, especially around the world and in stories. It is a term used on an object or an event to represent ideas that are more abstract than the literal meaning of the object itself. In the story, A Chair for My Mother, by Vera B. Williams, there were several events and objects that represented an idea. One of the objects was a jar of coins which symbolized teamwork and support, resilience, diligence and determination.

    Read More

  • Arnold Friend Symbolism

    1052 Words  | 3 Pages

    The definition of symbolism is the practice of representing things by symbols, or of investing things with a symbolic meaning. Gilman and Oates present the reader with symbolism to represent different aspects of the story. In these short stories, many of the objects and people in the story indicate a different or underlying meaning to them.

    Read More

  • What Does The Capitol Symbolize In The Hunger Games

    580 Words  | 2 Pages

    Symbolism is a technique that can be find widely in books, literatures or movies. Symbolism is used to give an object a whole new meaning which can also help develop feelings and meanings to the story making it more thrill and interesting. Symbolism in both The Hunger Games and Divergent have great effects in the story, by both making it emotional and helping the readers understand the book.

    Read More

  • Symbolism In The Rocking-Horse Winner

    962 Words  | 2 Pages

    A symbol is an object, action, or event that represents something or that creates a range of associations beyond itself. In literary works a symbol can express an idea, clarify meaning, or enlarge literal meaning. Select a novel or play and, focusing on one symbol, write an essay analyzing how that symbol functions in the work and what it reveals about the characters or themes of the work as a whole. Do not merely summarize the plot. (2009 Open-Ended Question for AP English Literature and Composition).

    Read More

More about What Does The Ambush Symbolize In The Scarlet Letter

Open Document