A symbol is a person, place, thing or event that has meaning in itself and that also stands for
             something more. Direct statements of feeling can sometimes be inadequate; instead the use of
             striking symbols to evoke complexities of mood and meaning are much more interesting to read and
             analyze to truly appreciate a classic piece of literature. In his novel, The Scarlet Letter, Nathaniel
             Hawthorne makes extensive uses of symbolism. People and objects are symbolic of events and
             thoughts. The letter "A," the forest, the characters and the scaffold scenes all take a larger meaning,
             which enhance the theme and the plot of the play.
             The Scarlet Letter is a compelling story which explores the inner emotions of the human
             mind, spirit, and the heart. (Scharnhorst, 11) Set around the 1640s in a Boston Puritan society, it
             focuses on the moral issue revolving around the virtue of truth and the evil of secret sin. Reverend
             Arthur Dimmesdale, a man of profound knowledge of religion and a true devotee of God, commits a
             crime of passion with the young and married Hester Prynne. The Puritan society, which barely
             tolerates any sin, seeks out Hester Prynne and punishes her by making her wear the scarlet letter "A."
             Even though Arthur Dimmesdale escapes punishment from the Puritan society, he endures an
             excruciating amount of pain that he brings forth onto himself. Due to the weakness in his character
             and the guilt that comes from within, he is forced to carry the tremendous weight of concealing his
             sin on his soul and heart. And yet with all this suffering and scorn, the inescapable sins of Hester and
             Dimmesdale live on with their daughter, Pearl, an ever-constant reminder of their wrong-doings.
             In Hawthorne's novel, the letter "A" changes its meaning many different times. This change
             is significant. It shows growth in the characters, and the community in which they live. The letter "A"
             begins as a symbol of si...