Categories: Education

The Use of Symbolism in Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter

Nathaniel Hawthorne weaves an interesting web of characters into a plot criticizing Puritan ideals and ways of life. The most effective way he does this is through the use of subtle symbolism throughout the novel. Hawthorne’s style of writing is criticized by many for being far too slow, but beyond the naked eye lies a very intruiging message. In The Scarlet Letter, Hawthorne manages to use his symbols to show humanity’s attitude towards those outcast from society, and the products of such an isolation.

Through the use of subtle symbolism, Hawthorne argues a hidden point through line after line of prose. For instance, early in the novel Hawthorne vividly describes a prison, meant to symbolize the disciplinary methods of the Puritans. He describes the undergrowth that slowly overwhelms the prison walls, symbolizing the corrupt society. At the end of the novel, Hawthorne juxtaposes the prison with a tombstone, saying that it symbolized that the punishment lead to the end of life. Lastly, Hawthorne describes a rose bush seen portruding from the overgrown weeds surroudning the prison. This is a very important symbol throughout the novel, as it shows how beauty can rise from anything.

To truly understand Hawthorne’s message, the reader must familiarize himself with the characters. Pearl, Hester’s daughter, is the product of a “sin”, and because of this she has been treated as an outcast her whole life. Throughout her daily struggles, Pearl is shaped from the negative words and actions directed towards her, however she maintains the innocence of a child. Pearl in this novel, is symbolized by the rose bush, a figure of pureness arisen from “sin”.

The last important symbol used throughout the novel is the letter A. At the start of the novel, it is used to sybolize adultery and shame, as with Hester’s scarlet letter, but throughout the novel it begans to take a power of its own, at one point even standing for able. The Native Americans that came on Election Day viewed the scarlet letter as a sign of importance. Also, like Pearl, it is a constant reminder of the sin that Hester committed. The last theme presented by the symbol, is the pointless methods of Puritan society. It brings the reader to question why a group of people committed to a religion devoted to promoting love and care, shamelessly and unmercifully punishes its own for the slightest mistake.

In conclusion, Hawthorne’s unique style is what stands out about his novel. He manages to weave an important message into a very well written novel. His many symbols stand for anything from the corruptness and pointlessness of Puritan punishments, to the good and pure that can sprout from dark roots. The novel The Scarlet Letter breaks literary standards of its time in that it brings about a whole new view of society to a people that needed it.