Nathaniel Hawthorne uses symbolism through out the whole book of The Scarlet Letter. This allows him to express the themes of the book. For instance, Hawthorne uses the letter "A" to symbolize many different things. The "A" is used as a key element or almost plays the main character of the book. The scarlet letter appears on Hester and Dimmesdale's chest, in the sky, and it also symbolizes adultery.
             At the beginning of the story, Hester receives an "A" on her chest. This scarlet letter stands for the crime of adultery. Hester seemed proud of her letter when it was described "In fine red cloth, surrounded with an elaborate embroidery and fantastic flourishes if gold thread" (37). Later in the book the scarlet changed for her. She Said "If she were worthy not to wear the letter, it would fall off of its own accord or be transformed into something different" (117).
             Later in the book, Dimmesdale stands on the scaffold to try and release his sin. Hester and pearl come on the scaffold with him and the saw "The letter A, marked out in lines of dull red light" (107). This picture in the sky let the world know of Dimmesdale's sin. No one knew if it was a greater thing showing a sin or if it was "Not bet the meteor may have shown itself at that point, burning duskily through a veil of cloud" (107). This was the beginning of Dimmesdale showing his sin.
             At the very end of the book, Dimmesdale once again shows his sin. He stood on the scaffold and "He tore away the ministerial band from before his breast. It was revealed!" (175). Some believe they saw the "A" on his chest but others just thought he was showing in a different way. Dimmesdale told God "Giving me this burning torture to bear upon my breast!" (175). It makes me think that Dimmesdale burned the scarlet letter on his own chest to torture himself for the sin he also took ...