... cases, ideas or concepts, which in novels, usually contribute to the main theme in the book. Sometimes referred to as "the first symbolic novel to be written in the United States", "The Scarlet Letter" by Nathaniel Hawthorne contains many symbols that are apparent throughout the novel, and reoccur at many different places. While symbols are created ... , those symbols must be given meaning within their context and, because the context differs, these symbols can vary over time, as seen in this novel. Nathaniel Hawthorne's "The Scarlet Letter" contains many symbols, including the forest, Pe...

• Word Count: 2041
• Approx Pages: 8
• Grade Level: High School

... from typical Romantic writings with their darker tales concerning sin and morality (www.trackstar.com). The following pages will examine the way sin affected the Puritan Community in the Scarlet Letter. First, they explain the history of Nathaniel Hawthorne. Then, they explore the sin and according punishment for the Puritan Community. Finally, they show how the sin affected the Puritans (Shepard 5). Nathaniel Hawthorne, born in Salem, Massachusetts, July 4, 1804 and died May 11, 1864, was ... the first American writer to apply artistic judgment to Puritan society. Hawthorne was heavily...

• Word Count: 1751
• Approx Pages: 7
• Grade Level: High School

... meaningless words on paper. The most symbolic piece of work in American Literature is Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter. Hawthorne's use of symbolism in The Scarlet Letter is one of the most significant contributions to the rise of American Literature. Much of Hawthorne's symbolism is very hard to find but several symbols are also obvious. In the first chapter Hawthorne describes the prison as "the black flower of civilized society". The prison represents the crime and punishment that was ... incorporated in the early Puritan life. He also contrasts the prison with the tombstone ...

• Word Count: 502
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School

... of their crime. However, what many people overlook is the fact that in time, we all have committed sins. In The Scarlet Letter, the idea of sin and punishment is the main theme of the novel and how Hester Prynne, the main character, has been punished for her sin of adultery. As Nathaniel Hawthorne states in this novel, "In the view of Infinite Purity, we are sinners all alike." This statement ... puts a big question mark on the true lives of the Puritans. If we all have once ... ...

• Word Count: 802
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

... ; she was given a punishment that would give a miserable life. The punishment was to wear the letter "A" on her upper torso for her entire life, also known as the scarlet letter. But throughout the novel, the narrator seemed to favor in for Hester. Though the narrator is not Nathaniel Hawthorne him-self, his views on Puritans certainly show through the eyes of the narrator. Hawthorne criticized the Puritans and their society; he disagreed with many of ... their beliefs. He describes the scarlet letter as elaborate and ornate, almost like Hester Prynne herself. He ... ...

• Word Count: 673
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

... , the main character of The Scarlet Letter, by Nathaniel Hawthorne, is found guilty of committing adultery with a man who will remain, for quite some time, anonymous to the people of Salem. As a punishment for her sin, Hester must wear the Scarlet Letter "A" on her bosom for the remainder of her life. Hawthorne also uses many literary elements in The Scarlet Letter, such as symbolism and irony. The Scarlet Letter, ... pearl, and sunshine are examples of symbolism. What is ironic about The Scarlet Letter ... that gave her nothing. Hester becomes helpful to others and her Puritan communit...

• Word Count: 634
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

Nathaniel Hawthorne's novel, The Scarlet Letter is based on the puritanical custom of affixing a giant red, letter "A" to anybody that committed adultery. The novel centers on the adulterous Puritan Hester Prynne. Throughout the novel, she loyally refuses to reveal the name of her partner. The novel is generally regarded as Hawthorne's masterpiece and as one of the classics of American literature. However, it also reflects the ... typical, partriarchical attitude of both puritan society and of contemporary society. For instance, even the definition of the word, "Scarlet ... "Hester did not si...

• Word Count: 1505
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Symbolism in The Scarlet Letter Pearl is a great example of symbolism in The Scarlet Letter. In chapter six when Hester is talking about her daughter Pearl, of The Scarlet Letter Nathaniel Hawthorne says, "in giving her existence a great law had been broken." Since Pearl was born, she was actually the scarlet letter, because if Pearl had never have been borne, Hester would have never been found guilty of adultery, and would have never ... had to wear such a burden on her chest. Also, in chapter six. it shows Pearl's fascination of the scarlet letter and seems ... Arthur are sinners but not a...

• Word Count: 647
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

In the Scarlet Letter, Nathaniel Hawthorne presents a number of themes but the most important and significant are guilt, alienation, and redemption. Through out Scarlet Letter we see transference of guilt, and with that comes redemption from sin. Another theme that plays a big role is alienation; in order to amend or do penance for your sin you must be shown away by society The transference of guilt commences with ... . Chillingworth transfers it to Dimmesdale by tormenting him and making him remember his sin everyday for the rest of his life. Hawthorne uses symbolism to show the alienation o...

• Word Count: 404
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School

In the Scarlet Letter, written by Nathaniel Hawthorne, the use of symbols highlights the similarities and differences between the Puritans and today's society. These differences are apparent in the type of punishment used then and now. The many of the symbols in this book deal with sin, punishment and redemption. Hawthorne uses symbols to represent a forgiving nature, a punishment for a sinful act, and as living reminders of human foibles. The symbols used in this book ... are the scarlet letter ... ...

• Word Count: 843
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

Stephanie Jensen "Sin and Its Engulfing Role in the Community" ~An Analytical Essay~ In The Scarlet Letter, Nathaniel Hawthorne expresses significant themes and Puritan ideals, such as the concept of sin. In the first chapter, Hawthorne indicates that the colony set land aside for the cemetery and the prison. This shows that the colonists knew there would be serious sin that required punishment, and that every person would eventually die and would need a cemetery ... . They came to the realization that death and sin ... ...

• Word Count: 1128
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School

... the novel, The Scarlet Letter, the author, Nathaniel Hawthorne, draws attention to the negative qualities pertaining to the Puritan lifestyles and beliefs of the 17th century. He illustrates this by describing "the city upon a hill", materialism, and the hypocritical nature of the Puritan society. Nathaniel Hawthorne was raised in Salem, Massachusetts, and was of Puritan descent. Witnessing the downfall of his society, he thought there was a need for social reform. As a result of this, he wrote The Scarlet Letter ... to show that nothing benefited from puritan ideology. In the introduct...

• Word Count: 548
• Approx Pages: 2

Throughout The Scarlet Letter, Nathaniel Hawthorne touches upon the progression of women's status in society. According to Puritan beliefs, women are supposed to be tough and hard working individuals. Women are strong, unrefined, broad shouldered, and insensitive. However, Hawthorne's use of symbolism and imagery while depicting women's societal standing suggests that women are becoming more feminine and compassionate. At first glance, Hester is considered to be a contemptible adulteress ... , but as the novel progresses, the scarlet letter on her chest takes on a new meaning. At the beginning...

• Word Count: 904
• Approx Pages: 4

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 characters to show ... that no matter what type of person one may be, human nature is absorbed with rev...

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

Hawthorne's Views of the Puritan Culture "The principal action of The Scarlet Letter occurs in the Boston of 1640's, a somber, gray, violently moral community founded as a kind of Puritan utopia." In this book the Puritan lifestyle is clearly misrepresented. Hawthorne's words clearly express his distaste for the Puritan culture and lifestyle, which he shows through his depiction of the townspeople's hypocrisy, and also through his representation of the priests and the governor's greed. Nathaniel Hawthorne is ... appeared to be showing off his estate and expiating on his projected improvements...

• Word Count: 759
• Approx Pages: 3

Hawthorne's Views of the Puritan Culture "The principal action of The Scarlet Letter occurs in the Boston of 1640's, a somber, gray, violently moral community founded as a kind of Puritan utopia." In this book the Puritan lifestyle is clearly misrepresented. Hawthorne's words clearly express his distaste for the Puritan culture and lifestyle, which he shows through his depiction of the townspeople's hypocrisy, and also through his representation of the priests and the governor's greed. Nathaniel Hawthorne is ... appeared to be showing off his estate and expiating on his projected improvements...

• Word Count: 756
• Approx Pages: 3

... . Their lives are ruined as a result of their sinfulness. Since their sin is committed in the strict, moralistic Puritan society, their suffering is made even greater. Dimmesdale, however, suffers the most, for he is tortured by his hypocrisy and hidden guilt. PURITANISM IN THE NOVEL Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter is set in the seventeenth century New England town of Boston, a staunch Puritanical town. It is a moralistic and gloomy ... place where the citizens dress in drab colors and lack any liveliness. Even on the Election Day holiday, they cannot relax and enjoy themselves....

• Word Count: 1285
• Approx Pages: 5
• 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 characters to show ... that no matter what type of person one may be, human nature is absorbed with re...

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

... are one of the most important events in "The Scarlet Letter" by Nathaniel Hawthorne. The first scaffold scene occurred in the beginning of the story which was about Hester and the second scaffold scene happened in chapter 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. Townspe...

• Word Count: 560
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School

The Scarlet Letter was the story of Hester Prynne, an adulteress who lived during the Puritan era, and the pain and shame she endured because of her sin. The author, Nathaniel Hawthorne, was educated on the beliefs and practices of the Puritans during this time, as some of his ancestors resided in the Puritan city of Salem, Massachusetts. Through Hawthorne's research of the Puritans, he beccame ashamed to be related to such a people, and developed ... a strong dislike for their ideas and their hypocrisy. In his novel The Scarlet Letter, Hawthorne used diction and certain symbols ... ...

• Word Count: 548
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Nathaniel Hawthorne's novel, The Scarlet Letter, is a classic tale of human frailty and sin and the hardships that are caused by a single mistake. The novel, first published in 1850, reveals the strict and severe ways of Puritan life that ruled New England two hundred years prior. At the same time, The Scarlet Letter, tells the story of one woman's struggle to find meaning in living after disobeying the highly regarded word of God. When dialogue ... is used in the novel, which is quite frequently, Hawthorne conveys formal and proper language which assists the reader in understanding the Purit...

• Word Count: 1296
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School

The Scarlet Letter Essay In Nathaniel Hawthorne's novel, The Scarlet Letter, there are many different themes portrayed throughout the book. Hawthorne develops these themes through many different symbols in his novel. Besides the obvious symbol being the Scarlet Letter, you can find many other examples of Hawthorne's use of color. The colors that he repeats in the book besides red are gray, gold, green, and black. Gray represents the strict Puritan society. Gold represents passion. Green is shown as ... life, hope, and youth. Last, black, is shown as a symbol for evil and sin. The beginning of...

• Word Count: 506
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School

Nathaniel Hawthorne approached his use of the nature of evil very intelligently and uniquely in his stories. "The Scarlet Letter", and "The Minister's Black Veil," show that his studies of evil often coincide with his studies of religion, in this case, Puritanism, which his ancestors in Salem practiced in the 17th century. The following will explain the nature of evil in the stories, "The Scarlet letter" and the "Minister's Black Veil". The Scarlet letter deals with guilt, fervor, and ... that they are keeping a secret. That's just one interpretation anyway. The scarlet letter has a similar ...

• Word Count: 471
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School

Often in society people are criticized, punished and despised for their individual choices and flaws. In the novel, The Scarlet Letter, by Nathaniel Hawthorne, the author attempts to show the way society casts out individuals simply because their ideas and deeds differ from the common values. Nathaniel Hawthorne uses Hester Prynne to symbolize that those who challenge social conformities can benefit society as a whole. ... Though she has been banished for committing adultery, she sees that the community needs her. Through her generous accomplishments the ... this punishment and chose to pass...

• Word Count: 1521
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: High School

Nathaniel Hawthorne's literature can easily be used as a prime study for psychoanalysis. Freud's ideas and assumptions can be perfectly linked in a psychoanalysis of The Scarlet Letter. In fact, Freud himself has studied Hawthorne's characters in order to develop his postulations about the unconscious. His ideas about the id, the ego, and the superego are extremely significant when taking a look at characters in The Scarlet Letter. Hawthorne displays the unending war between social expediency and moral righteousness ... in the mind of the main character, Hester. Regardless of Hester's conscio...

• Word Count: 1596
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: High School