... is unable and unwilling to forgive her sin. The irony of the novel lies in the fact that the most respected member of this Puritanical society, the Reverend Dimmesdale, is Hester's partner in sin. THE TITLE OF THE BOOK The title is significant to every chapter of the book, as the scarlet letter is displayed in many forms. First, Hester is made to wear the scarlet letter on the bodice of her dress as a public acknowledgment ... of her adultery. In seeming defiance of her punishment, she proudly embroiders the scarlet "A" with threads of gold, which make the letter attract even more atten...

• Word Count: 1285
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School

... and Dimmesdale are both intertwined with the meteor for opposite reasons. Pearl sees a figure in the distance watching them. It is Chillingworth, Hester's husband, and he discovers the bond that Hester, Dimmesdale, and Pearl share by the "A" in the sky. In conclusion, the scarlet letter, the meteor, and Pearl are all a result of sin. They also have a symbolic meaning to the identities of the characters. The scarlet letter has its two meanings for Hester ... . The meteor comes to Dimmesdale as his own scarlet letter. Pearl is the result of Hester and Dimmesdale's sin. The townspeople real...

• Word Count: 435
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School

... serves as innocence. When comparing the actual scarlet letter to Pearl, numerous similarities are established. Pearl is "its [the scarlet letter's] symbol, its double, its agent: "it was the scarlet letter in another form; the scarlet letter endowed with life!"" (Baym 56). When Hester commits the sin of adultery, the punishment is wearing the scarlet letter. Pearl herself is living proof of sin, which is what the letter represents. Pearl's appearance replicates that of the letters: Hester dresses her in ... "the richest tissues" and stitches elaborate dresses for Pearl ... ...

• Word Count: 1115
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• Grade Level: High School

... that just the scarlet letter "A" as a representation of sin in this situation. She sees their actions in a different perspective than the community does. It is a glorified action in her eyes. The way Hester views the scarlet letter is completely different than that of the townspeople. She wears the scarlet letter with no shame. The scarlet letter is extravagantly sewn and placed on her bosom. "That Scarlet Letter, fantastically ... embroidered and illuminated on her bosom" (p. 47). The women of the town are furious with the way Hester behaves with her scarlet letter. "Why, gossips, what ...

• Word Count: 694
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• Grade Level: High School

"The Scarlet Letter" Nathaniel Hawthorne wrote "The Scarlet Letter" in 1850 in the highly religious area of New England. When it was written many people judged the novel solely on its story telling, whereas ignoring the loads of hidden themes that Hawthorne placed in the novel. "The Scarlet Letter" by Nathaniel Hawthorne has many different themes contained in the novel, but the themes of Puritanism vs. Romanticism and the theme of reflection are the most prevalent. The Scarlet Letter is chock ... full of symbolism. Hawthorne uses people and objects and makes them symbolic of events and though...

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Essay: Public Humiliation and The Scarlet Letter The Scarlet Letter deals with the controversial issue of adultery in puritan society. In this novel, Hester Prynne, the young adultress, is punished for her sins by being forced to wear a bright red letter A on her chest at all times. It is a symbol of shame and disgrace. However, the Scarlet Letter raises the question of whether or not public humiliation is an appropriate ... with a symbol of shame on her chest, although that symbol eventually took on other meanings. Hester sees the scarlet letter as a representation of her character. She real...

• Word Count: 402
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School

... , the letter is shallow in meaning, standing for the sin of Adultery. To resonate the "A" in the mind of the reader Hawthorne displays the letter in a variety of altered profiles. Besides being the beacon from Hester's breast the letter "A" is presented in several forms. It is on the armor breastplate in Governor Bellingham's garden, in the sky on the night of Dimmesdale's scaffold vigil, continually little Pearl is pictured to be the scarlet letter personified, and the most ... wild ones -- and they had made her strong, but taught her much amiss." Through the course of the novel Hester ...

• Word Count: 661
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• Grade Level: High School

... , not of that one sin, for which she had borne so long and dreary a penance, but of her many good deeds since. The scarlet letter had the effect of the cross on a nun's bosom." (148) Due to Hester's caring and considerate virtues, the scarlet letter no longer stood for adultery and alienation. "Some people began saying that A stands for "Able" (158) and more accurate sign of herself. So ... in some ways, it was almost a gift that Hester's community knew of her sin. She could accept the punishment and continue her life and Pearl's, but most importantly, she didn"t the let the sin destroy ...

• Word Count: 1175
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School

... the Scarlet Letter The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne contains abundant symbolism, which is used to unify the novel and add deeper meaning. Although the actual "A" is the most obvious symbol, there are several others which have great importance as well. The most important symbol in the novel is the scarlet letter, which affects each character in a different way. The characters who are affected by the letter are Arthur Dimmesdale, Roger Chillingworth, Pearl, and Hester Prynne (Schneider). The scarlet letter ... is a sign by which the colonial authority seeks to fix the crime of ad...

• Word Count: 1366
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• Grade Level: High School

... and ideals. Women of this time were not thought of as able to overcome hardships and trials because they were considered weak, but Hawthorne showed to the world with The Scarlet Letter what women, in actuality, were like. The embodiment of Hawthorne's feminist ideals, Hester, was an unusual character for that time period. Women weren't considered very important. Yet, "so strong was Hester Prynne, ... spirit, courage, and character could be victorious in battles where physical strength could never triumph. The shame Hester first felt when she wore the scarlet letter was almost unbearable...

• Word Count: 1087
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• Grade Level: High School

... so determines her own identity, rather than to allow others to determine it for her. Surprisingly, Hester reacts with dismay when Chillingworth tells her that the town fathers are considering letting her remove the letter. Hester's refusal to remove the Scarlet letter and instead embrace is significant in a way that it shows Hester's strong will in not allowing it to deciding who she is. Again it ... , then it does not matter what others think, only oneself can determine who they are. Removing the letter would be an acknowledgment of society's power over her. She would be admitting that ...

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... had inhabited another sphere."" (p.78) As time passes by, Hester's opinion throughout the community changes. Her devotion to serving the sick and needy and her fine sewing skills, give her access to almost every person in the community. People now interpret the scarlet letter "A- meaning able instead of adultery. "The scarlet letter had the effect of a cross on a nun's bosom. It imparted her to walk securely ... amid all peril."" (p. 149) Hester's opinion is not the only thing that changed. Her character has as well. Rather than acting on ... not look back.-(p.185) She then undoes the cl...

• Word Count: 764
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• Grade Level: High School

... conformed, can elucidate major flaws in a society. Hester Prynne holds herself with dignity although she wears and infamous title and lives in a world of public shame. She is sentenced to the scarlet letter 'A' which is known for "adulterer." This badge of humiliation serves as a constant reminder of her sin. Although this title is meant to bring shame upon Hester, she ultimately uses ... would not only be to deny herself, but would also be an acknowledgment of the towns power over her. Ultimately, Hester uses the letter as stigma for personal growth. The scarlet letter "was her passport ...

• Word Count: 1053
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... mother's sin. Likewise, in the book, The Scarlet Letter, Pearl symbolizes many fascinating things. An example of Hawthorne using Pearl symbolically occurs when Hester dresses her daughter for the interview with Governor Bellingham. Pearl wears " a crimson velvet tunic embroidered in flourishes of gold thread It was the scarlet letter endowed with life."" (Hawthorne 78) As Pearl intended, the red letter of adultery was brought to ... life in the bright red dress. But also, Pearl symbolized a way of punishing ... Heaven "if Thou art still my Father "what is this being which I have brought...

• Word Count: 320
• Approx Pages: 1
• Grade Level: High School

... . The symbolism of the prison, roses, the scaffold, the letter "A," contrasts between light and dark, and the forest throughout the novel are the undefined characters. An understanding of these symbols is vital to a complete comprehension of the complexity of the story; Hawthorne technique of using symbolism is brilliant and it helps the reader understand the whole concept. In The Scarlet Letter, images increase the reader's understanding of the characters. The first chapter sets the tone for the story. Though the initial ... she may associate with it. A monstrous version is reflected in...

• Word Count: 1915
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• Grade Level: High School

... meet and talk about their plans. Hester then takes off her scarlet letter and takes down her hair as a symbol of her freedom. As she does this, beams of sunlight light up the forest. The scarlet letter is a symbol of shame and punishment for Hester. The letter is originally intended to stand for Hester's sin of adultery. The "A" serves as a physical reminder of Hester's sin, but compared ... to the mental struggle she goes through every day it is insignificant. With or without the letter Hester would feel the same guilt, and she would still ... be frowned upon by the community. As the ...

• Word Count: 361
• Approx Pages: 1
• Grade Level: High School

The Scarlet Letter To the naked eye, the story of The Scarlet Letter appears to just be a well-written love story within a puritan society full of unexpected flips and turns. Upon closer examination, The Scarlet Letter is really filled with obsession, guilt, and morals. The author, Nathaniel Hawthorne, uses a twisted physician, a minister, and a very independent character to express the theme of revenge among his three main characters. Throughout the novel, Hawthorne uses his very different ... everyone to see. "It was whispered, by those who peered after her, that the scarlet letter threw a ...

• Word Count: 1589
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: High School

The Scarlet Letter To the naked eye, the story of The Scarlet Letter appears to just be a well-written love story within a puritan society full of unexpected flips and turns. Upon closer examination, The Scarlet Letter is really filled with obsession, guilt, and morals. The author, Nathaniel Hawthorne, uses a twisted physician, a minister, and a very independent character to express the theme of revenge among his three main characters. Throughout the novel, Hawthorne uses his very different ... everyone to see. "It was whispered, by those who peered after her, that the scarlet letter threw a...

• Word Count: 1480
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: High School

... life, and perhaps being remembered after her life with her descendants carrying the shame as well. If this were true, then she felt that it didn't matter if she were to wear the scarlet letter or to have it taken off, for the people would still remember who she was with or without the mark of shame and disgrace. Hester could have also meant to convey ... to the ministers and crowds that she was deeply shamed on the scaffold, and no matter what they would have tried to ... shame (although there were none), Hester's feelings toward them would not have been consoled by any means. Hester m...

• Word Count: 326
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... be punished, but also that you can easily redeem yourself, like Hester did. How do you think God reacted to this cruel punishment? Did he approve of the "A" that at one point stood for "adulterer?" The scarlet letter was meant to be a symbol of shame, but instead it became a powerful symbol of identity for both Hester and Pearl. Pearl does not even recognize Hester ... as her mother without the letter safely secured to her bosom. Over time the meaning of the letter shifts and Hester, as well as the society, learns to see beyond the outward appearance and look within ... . As long as Pea...

• Word Count: 1200
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• Grade Level: High School

... question strongly resembles Hester's openly defiant stature when asked who the father of her baby was during the first scaffold scene. Perhaps the most complex symbol in the book is the most obvious and prevalent one, the books namesake, The Scarlet Letter itself. At its first entrance, the letter is used as a symbol of shame, or grief. The magistrates of the town have placed the letter on Hester's breast as a way to let everyone in ... the town know of her adulterous act. It is meant to be ... ...

• Word Count: 777
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• Grade Level: High School

... The Scarlet Letter " But (Hester) is not the protagonist, the chief actor, and the tragedy of The Scarlet Letter is not her tragedy but Arthur's. He is the persecuted one, the tempted one. He it was whom the sorrows of death encompassed . His public confession is one of the noblest climaxes of tragic literature." The argument over the protagonist role in The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne runs undeniably deep. At first glance it appears that the protagonist of the ... that men do not have enough blood to operate both their reproductive organs and their brain at the same time, so ...

• Word Count: 855
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• Grade Level: High School

... the novel The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, the letter A is given to the characters Hester and Dimmesdale. According to the law of the Puritan society and the strict interpretation of the Bible, adultery is one of the deadliest sins that led to the deadliest punishment - execution or corporal punishment. The letter A came to symbolize different things for each character. For Hester, the Scarlet Letter symbolizes her adultery and for Dimmesdale, it is a reminder of his hidden sin. The ... characters are given different punishments corresponding to their symbolisms. Hester's puni...

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... 12 which was about Dimmsdale. In a "utopia" like the puritan's society, one can never get away after committing crime, in the end they get punished and pays for what they did and regrets it. The first scaffold scene in the scarlet letter focuses on Hester Prynne. The scene occurred in the morning sunlight. Hester on the scaffold with Pearl in her hand. Townspeople gathered to watch her ... on the scaffold and she, alone was facing it. People hated Hester ... . In this scene Dimmsdale wasn't with Hester and Pearl on the scaffold. This is the scene where Hester saw her old husband Roger C...

• Word Count: 560
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• Grade Level: High School

... that Hester is a young and beautiful woman who has brought a child into the world with an unknown father. She is punished by Puritan society by wearing the scarlet letter "A" on the bosom of her dress and standing on the scaffold for three hours. The scaffold is an unpleasant punishment to bear; the townspeople gathered around to gossip and stare at Hester and her newborn child, Pearl ... , named because of her extreme value to her mother. In the middle of the faces in the crowd, Hester sees the face of a man ... her true husband, Roger Chillingworth. "It was sufficiently evident to Hes...

• Word Count: 461
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School