The Scarlet Letter

1. The Scarlet Letter Symbols

2. What is a symbol? A symbol is a person, place, or thing that has meaning in itself and that also represents a larger idea as well. In other words, symbols have significance beyond their literal meaning. Sometimes what a symbol represents is obvious; other times a symbol is so complex that its meaning, or what it represents,can be interpreted variously.

3. Hawthorne's Use of Symbol • Hawthorne uses symbols extensively in The Scarlet Letter. • Some objects keep the same symbolic significance throughout the novel (i.e. the scaffold, weeds/unsightly vegetation) • Other symbols are more ambivalent (i.e. the forest) • The central symbol, the scarlet letter, changes in meaning through the course of the novel.

4. Character Names Pearl- A pearl is a precious jewel. Pearl is her mother's jewel. A pearl comes at a great price. A pearl comes from something ugly (an oyster). Pearl is a product of sin. There is also the biblical allusion, "pearl of great price." Chillingworth-Chillingworth is a man deficient in human warmth. Worth has connotations relating to value. He is also called the leech. A leech drains its host. Leeches used to be used in medicine to cure patients of their ailments.

5. Arthur Dimmesdale- Dimmesdale is a weak man. Hester Prynne- Hester is a variation of Esther which in Greek means "star." Stars illuminate the dark. A star is unreachable. There is also the connection to the Biblical Esther who was considered to be a woman of courage, beauty, dignity, and selflessness.

6. Plants and Vegetation Weeds/ Unsightly Vegetation- These represent moral evil. The Rosebush- The rosebush represents grace and beauty among sin and ugliness. Burrs- The burrs represent pain and blame. Nature- Nature can represent self-awareness and revelation. The Forest- The forest can represent a lack of civilization, sin/secrecy, or darkness. It is where Mistress Hibbins meets The Black Man.

7. The Community The Prison Door-- This "dark portal" represents darkness, sin, and the strict Puritan community. The Suit of Armor- This represents the strict, rigid beliefs of the Puritan community. The Governor's Mansion- The mansion represents the hypocrisy of the Puritan community. Puritans sought simplicity in all things, yet Gov. Bellingham's home has a certain degree of opulence.

8. Light and Dark Light represents innocence, beauty, and truth. Pay particular attention to the mention of daylight/ sunlight. Dark represents sin, secrecy, and evil. Consider events that take place at night or The Black Man himself.

9. Hester Hester (and Pearl's) Clothing- The clothing represents rebellion. Hester's embroidered A and Pearl's clothing is quite ornate, which is a means for Hester to indirectly stand up against the Puritan community. Hester's Sewing- Hester's sewing is another representation of Puritan hypocrisy. The community rejects Hester as unacceptable but accepts her skilled needlework. Hester's cottage- The cottage on the outskirts of Boston represents the isolation and loneliness of Hester Prynne.

10. Hester's scarlet letter- The scarlet letter is many things. It is a symbol of love and passion as well as a badge of shame and a representation of sin. It is a barrier between Hester and her community. There is also adultery vs. able. Other instances of the A: the meteor, the grass A, the epitaph

11. The Scaffold Put simply, the scaffold represents public confession/ public notice. There are three scaffold scenes. Each scene is significant.