... 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 ... the prison door" (Waggoner 335). Hawthorne constructs the novel around three climactic scen...

• Word Count: 1915
• Approx Pages: 8
• Grade Level: High School