The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, adulteress Hester Prynne must wear a scarlet A to mark her shame. Her lover, Arthur Dimmesdale, remains unidentified and is wracked with guilt, while her husband, Roger Chillingworth, seeks revenge. The Scarlet Letter's symbolism helps create a powerful drama in Puritan Boston: a kiss, evil, sin, nature, the scarlet letter, and the punishing scaffold A+ Student Essay Main Ideas Symbols Main Ideas Symbols. Symbols are objects, characters, figures, and colors used to represent abstract ideas or concepts. The Scarlet Letter. The scarlet letter is meant to be a symbol of shame, but instead it becomes a powerful symbol of identity to Hester. The letter’s meaning shifts as time passes Feb 25, · Last Updated on February 25, , by eNotes Editorial. Word Count: Like all historical novels, The Scarlet Letter is a work that looks back to
Symbolism - Examples and Definition of Symbolism
At scarlet letter symbolism essay end of the novel, Dimmesdale makes a speech and exposes his chest to the community gathered around the scaffold, then dies. A short time later, Chillingworth also dies and leaves his fortune to Pearl; Pearl and Hester go abroad, but Hester returns alone years later to live out her days quietly in the New England community.
The ending turns the story into a narrative of redemption, and one scarlet letter symbolism essay which good triumphs over evil. She will not be haunted by her past, and most likely lives the happy life that Hester was denied. However, while the ending does allow for redemption and peace, it scarlet letter symbolism essay not, strictly speaking, a happy ending.
Rather, the ending shows how individuals can learn from past mistakes, even if they also have to live with the consequences of those actions. Dimmesdale dies believing that his soul has been saved, but he does not get the chance to enjoy a life with Hester and Pearl.
Hester is able to regain a sense of agency by voluntarily choosing to re-enter the community, and wearing the scarlet letter by choice rather than out of obligation. However, these decisions also show that she is defined by her past.
Even after her death, scarlet letter symbolism essay, her identity will always be bound up with the fateful choice she made, scarlet letter symbolism essay. Ace your assignments with our guide to The Scarlet Letter! Want study tips sent straight to your inbox? Sign up for our weekly newsletter! Search all of SparkNotes Search Suggestions Use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. No Fear Literature Translations Literature Study Guides Glossary of Literary Terms How to Write Literary Analysis.
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SparkTeach Teacher's Handbook. Summary Plot Overview Video Plot Summary Key Questions and Answers What Does the Ending Mean? Character List Hester Prynne Roger Chillingworth Arthur Dimmesdale Pearl Governor Bellingham Mistress Hibbins, scarlet letter symbolism essay. Themes Motifs Symbols Plot analysis Protagonist Antagonist Setting Genre Allusions Style Point of View Tone Foreshadowing Key Facts Is Hester Prynne a feminist?
Important Quotes Explained Quotes by Theme Female Independence Guilt Nature vs. Society Empathy Quotes by Section The Custom-House Chapters 1 — 2 Chapters 3 — 4 Chapters 5 — 6 Chapters 7 — 8 Chapters 9 — 10 Chapters Chapters 13 — 14 Chapters 15 — 16 Chapters 17 — 18 Chapters 19 — 20 Chapters 21 — 22 Chapters 23 — 24 Quotes by Character Hester Prynne Arthur Dimmesdale Roger Chillingworth Pearl Governor Bellingham Quotes by Symbol The Scarlet A The Meteor Pearl Quotes by Setting Boston in the s.
Context Anne Hutchinson and Hester Prynne Hawthorne and the Historical Romance Movie Adaptations Full Book Quiz Section Quizzes The Custom-House: Introductory Chapters Chapters Chapters Chapters Chapters Character List Chapters Chapters Analysis of Major Characters Themes, Motifs, and Symbols Chapters Chapters Chapters Chapters Chapters Study Questions Suggestions for Further Reading Companion Texts.
Summary What Does the Ending Mean? Previous section Key Questions and Answers Page 15 Next section The Custom-House: Introductory, scarlet letter symbolism essay.
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A+ Student Essay Main Ideas Symbols Main Ideas Symbols. Symbols are objects, characters, figures, and colors used to represent abstract ideas or concepts. The Scarlet Letter. The scarlet letter is meant to be a symbol of shame, but instead it becomes a powerful symbol of identity to Hester. The letter’s meaning shifts as time passes Suggested Essay Topics A+ Student Essay Summary What Does the Ending Mean? Summary What Hester is able to regain a sense of agency by voluntarily choosing to re-enter the community, and wearing the scarlet letter by choice rather than out of obligation. However, these decisions also show that she is defined by her past The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, adulteress Hester Prynne must wear a scarlet A to mark her shame. Her lover, Arthur Dimmesdale, remains unidentified and is wracked with guilt, while her husband, Roger Chillingworth, seeks revenge. The Scarlet Letter's symbolism helps create a powerful drama in Puritan Boston: a kiss, evil, sin, nature, the scarlet letter, and the punishing scaffold
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