... evil in society. Plant and growth imagery is also used to reveal the temper of each character. The forest is a third way in which nature is used to help portray the states-of-mind of different characters. Hawthorne uses the romantic ideal of nature to represent the psychological and moral states of different characters. Hawthorne uses symbols of light and dark to ... could pity and be kind to him (35). The rosebush is there to symbolize nature's identification with the wild and passionate character of criminals like Hester, whom Puritan society condemns. Hawthorne even suggests that Pearl...

• Word Count: 1017
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School

... man, hence his dark romantic novel The Scarlet Letter. This allegorical novel depends heavily on symbol and character. The novel is chock full of symbolic dimension of images, characters, and descriptions. The Scarlet Letter defines the American Romanticist movement while using symbolic characters and places that give the book seemingly two different stories. The first story denotes the story going on in the book, including the characters. The other story has symbols that speak ... area to be feared or weary of. The fear of the forest is what makes it safe. Along with the sense of natur...

• Word Count: 1687
• Approx Pages: 7
• Grade Level: High School

... reappear and grow in significance during the course of the novel. However, this is also the same gesture that Hester Prynne makes when remembering the scarlet letter upon her own bosom. Hawthorne brilliantly connects Hester Prynne's openly displayed shame with Reverend Dimmesdale's secret shame by having both characters touch the same spot where the scarlet letter is displayed. We see the same motion of weakness again when ... characters can bring forth hidden emotions and thoughts. The forest trail leads characters away from the Puritan settlement, and out into the dense and dark fores...

• Word Count: 2932
• Approx Pages: 12
• Grade Level: High School

... want anyone to see his sinful face. The procession is the setting at which a sickly Dimmesdale's humanity is seen. Through the past seven years Dimmesdale has become frail and weak, at the hand of Chillingworth. I think that Dimmesdale does not admit to the townsfolk that he is the father of Pearl because he is afraid to love. The puritans strong moral code, along with their strong laws and ethical ... caused. Dimmesdale is in love with Hester, and he finally in his dying breath lets it be known to the townspeople. Is it possible to attain forgiveness in a Puritan society after committi...

• Word Count: 1115
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School