Hawthorne's novel "The Scarlet Letter" was published in 1850 and when it was first released it did not do well. ... Although Hawthorne wrote many novels, none of them were as successful as "The Scarlet Letter". ... In the Scarlet Letter, there is the symbolic significance of various settings: the scaffold; the forest, which ironically becomes an oasis of freedom for Hester and Dimmesdale, though everyone else views it as the devil's territory. ... The scaffold is a place in the Scarlet Letter in which Puritan punishment takes its course, through the scorn that...

• Word Count: 1003
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

If the steps and concept of symbolism are then applied to the Nathaniel Hawthorne's novel, The Scarlet Letter, we would find a multitude of example of symbols in the characters' lives, objects and the characters themselves. ... We see light and dark represented though out The Scarlet Letter from seeing Hester in the dark to Pearl in the light. ... Seemingly well informed, Pearl explains this occurrence being caused by the fact that "the sunshine does not love her" mother and it is afraid of something on her chest (Hawthorne 160); the scarlet letter. ... The role of a charac...

• Word Count: 1244
• Approx Pages: 5
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

His most popular book, The Scarlet Letter, earned Hawthorne international fame. ... Relating directly to allegories is Hawthorne's use of symbolism in his stories. This is very evident in The Scarlet Letter where he uses setting and characterization to create an image of the various characters who each symbolize a different human trait. ... Terence Martin sums up the meaning of Hawthorne's best known book, The Scarlet Letter in three sentences: "Taking its form in Hawthorne's imagination, the total context of The Scarlet Letter inheres in the letter itself. ... Hawthorne begins ...

• Word Count: 855
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Dimmesdale's trip to the scaffold during the night demonstrates that he suffers from insomnia. ... Dimmesdale's trip to the scaffold shows that he feels guilt and shames himself for not standing there with Hester seven years ago. He regrets that he wasn't there with Hester when "[Hester] lived through her first hour of public ignominy" However, Dimmesdale is not yet ready to admit to his sin, so he approaches the scaffold at night when "the town was all asleep". Dimmesdale's only risk in approaching the scaffold at this time of night is decrementing his health- which progre...

• Word Count: 393
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: Undergraduate