The Scarlet Letter- Symbols of Sin
By definition, a symbol is "something concrete that represents or suggests another thing that cannot in itself be pictured." Nathaniel Hawthorne uses many people as symbols throughout The Scarlet Letter. The characters of Hester Prynne, Arthur Dimmesdale, Pearl, and Roger Chillingworth all represent sin. However, these four symbolize different aspects of sin. Through the character of Hester Prynne, Hawthorne shows how sin can make a person stronger. When Hester commits adultery, the Puritan punishment forces her to wear a scarlet letter so the whole community knows of her wrongdoing. Hester has enough courage to wear the letter in public, even though she has to live with harassing comments and peculiar glances from the townspeople. By dealing with these unnecessary actions, Hester becomes a stronger person who is better able to handle pain and defend herself. Besides the fact that she wears her "A" proudly, Hester is able to get over her sorrow and get on with her life. She decides not to stay home everyday and suffer grief; instead, she chooses to help others. Many people begin to respect her again because of her kindness and assistance. As Hawthorne states, "Such helpfulness was found in her- so much po
wer to do and power to sympathize- that many people refused to interpret the scarlet "A" by its original signification. The fact that Dimmesdale conceals his sin torments him, and it is evident all the way through the novel that his secret sin is constantly dragging him down. The!y said that it meant "Able"; so strong was Hester Prynne, with a woman's strength. Governor Bellingham keeps watch on Pearl, and at one point in the book he wants to take her away from Hester. Pearl is the living scarlet letter, and she will not let her mother forget about her sin. " Therefore, even though he is not successful, Governor Bellingham tries to remove Pearl from the guidance of her mother. His lack of sensitivity is shown in choosing such a young woman as his bride, his lack of chivalry is shown when he sends his wife alone to Boston, his lack of kindness is shown when he does not contact his wife for two years, and his lack of sympathy is shown when he chooses to hide his identity and change his name. Pearl is the reason for the scarlet letter her mother wears. " For example, one time Pearl throws rocks at her moth!er's scarlet letter, and another time Pearl makes her own "A" out of seaweed. The Scarlet Letter, a novel written by Nathaniel Hawthorne, contains many characters that all act as symbols of sin. He often attempts to punish himself by fasting and holding all night vigils. If Pearl had not been born, Hester would never have been found guilty of adultery, and therefore Hester would not have to wear the "A. Unlike Hester, Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale does not become stronger from his sin, but instead becomes weaker. However, his sin continues to bother him until his death, when the people who consider him holy finally acknowledge his transgression. " Hester truly is a symbol of strength, and because of her strength she is able to get on with her life and not suffer with her grief.
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