Contained in the first chapter of the Scarlet Letter, the Prison-Door, there is a significant amount of symbolism. In this one page chapter of the classic novel there is an incredible amount of imagery which alludes to the novels protagonist, the heroine, Hester Prynne. The images of the rose bush contained in this part of the novel allude to Hester in the sense that she is a beautiful person, regardless of her sin, adultery, as much as the rose bush is beautiful regardless of it growing in such a damned place as the threshold to the prison where Hester is contained. This symbolic use of the wild rose bush also alludes to Hester's wild and impetuous nature. The Puritanical laws by which Hester was supposed to live by are a stark contrast to the very nature of this free-spirited woman.
             The location of the rose bush, and the location of Hester's residence parallel each other in significance. The wild-rose bush, a thing of true, natural beauty has grown up at the entrance to a dull, dank, morbid place - the doorway to the local prison. While Hester , a strong and intuitive woman , has been put into a society where she is shunned for following her heart being true to herself. Much as the rose bush is "covered...with the delicate gems" Hester emerges from the prison emblazoned with her own "gem" her fabulously decorated scarlet red letter A.
             The rose petals and the Scarlet A both offer a "fragile beauty" to the substance to which they adhere. The rose petals shine against the dark grainy greens of the rose bush and the dark browns of the wooden prison, while the Scarlet A shines bright and bold against the dark earth tones of the typical Puritanical dressing. The mere placement of the Scarlet Letter on Hester's body as compared to that of the location of the rose bush is an intricate detail which is truly symbolic.
             In the same way that rose bush is being stigmatized for being...