Ambiguity in Scarlett Letter
In the world of literature, authors many times strive to create a perspicuous, easy to understand novel. To keep from becoming convoluted, they want to create a novel in which every aspect of the work including the plot, character, and symbols are clear-cut and definite. However, sometimes adding ambiguity provides a positive effect on a novel by allowing readers to interpret the book in their own way. Because readers can have several interpretations, each reader has the freedom to choose what [he or she] believes the author meant to convey. Thus, Nathaniel Hawthorne, a great American writer, creates one of his greatest works, The Scarlet Letter , through the use of ambiguity. Because he supposedly found a "mysterious package" with the manuscript of the story, Hawthorne tells this story from a indefinite point of view in which he himself offers several interpretations on certain matters and Hawthorne simply abandons some parts of his novel in ambiguity. In The Scarlet Letter, Hawthorne creates remarkable novel through the use of ambiguity especially in the characters and the scarlet letter of the novel. To begin with, Hawthorne creates major ambiguity in several
In addition to the ambiguous meaning, the letter also takes on changing forms. Although clearly a symbol of her parent's union, what is the meaning of this union? The Puritans believe that Pearl presents a symbol of evil. From there, it changes to such interpretations as "able" to show appreciation for Hestor[[[ breaking the barriers which the letter put on her. Besides character ambiguities in the novel, The Scarlet Letter contains many ambiguities in the scarlet letter itself. Other ambiguities in Dimmesdale's character include the scar on his chest, discussed in the next paragraph, and his final Election Day sermon in which he confesses his guilt. The author states that Chillingworth has knowledge of herbs and hints that he practices black magic. To Dimmesdale the meteor was another form of the "A", which illuminated his sins. Chillingworth himself notes that "he is conscious of me. For example, Chillingworth presents one of Hawthorne's ambiguous characters. ]] By the end of the novel, "the scarlet letter [had] not done its office" and the letter ended up a positive symbol with people asking Hestor for advice to their problems and Hawthorne left the reader to interpret the letter as they please. Although clearly Pearl has some knowledge of the matters going on, the extent of this knowledge presents one of Hawthorne's ambiguities. Secondly, Dimmesdale presents yet another example of Hawthorne's ambiguity in his characters.
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Acceptance Essays
