... had known full well, through seldom with a smile, and never with malice in them." This quote shows that Hester sometimes regrets Pearl's birth. Nathaniel Hawthorne's use of mirrors plays a crucial part in portraying the hidden side of Pearl Prynne. Pearl is shown in a negative light, the town viewed ... emotionally void when she realizes her mother had abandoned the emblem on the ground. The weak mortality of Reverend Dimmesdale is also depicted by Nathaniel Hawthorne's exercise of mirrors throughout the novel. In chapter eleven, Arthur is desperate to flush away his sins and absorb rig...

• Word Count: 2043
• Approx Pages: 8

Nathaniel Hawthorne used his writing skills to appropriately show the strict intolerant ways of the disciplined Puritan America of 1850, with ... novel, Arthur Dimmesdale was an effective character in illustrating the theme of conscience and redemption through truth. The Scarlet Letter is overflowing with symbolism. Understanding Hawthorne's symbols by themselves is key to understanding The Scarlet Letter as a novel. The Scarlet Letter "A" is the central symbol of the novel. It ... of revenge he exacts on Dimmesdale. The light stands for truth and purity and Pearl's free nature. A major th...

• Word Count: 2338
• Approx Pages: 9
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... 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, Pearl, and the scarlet letter itself, which all contribute to the main them...

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

Nathaniel Hawthorne's novel, "The Scarlet Letter" identifies a symbol that is meant as a punishment and an outward display of sin, guilt, shame and disgrace. Hester Prynne ... We become more independent, separate from our families of origin, and begin to define our own individuality. The story suggests Hester was a strong-willed, impetuous girl. Nathaniel Hawthorne does not tell us many details of Hester's early childhood or how she came to marry Roger Chillingworth. Did his advantage in years give him an upper hand ... such a way of showing it!- The Scarlet Letter served to separate Hester ...

• Word Count: 1295
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School

... by the common picture that is formed. In a work of literature, each thread is an idea and the common picture is a theme. In Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter, each thread is an ironic element of setting, and together, they demonstrate people's tendency to seek shelter from, instead of in ... in this novel go through their lives struggling with themselves trying to cope with the guilt and shame associated with their past actions. In Nathaniel Hawthorne's novel, The Scarlet Letter, he shows the lasting effect that sin has on Hester and Dimmesdale. Hester Prynne's guilt is the result...

• Word Count: 1828
• Approx Pages: 7
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... Edition, the definition of moral is "principles, standards, or habits with respect to right or wrong in conduct," ("moral"). Nathaniel Hawthorne utilizes characterization techniques of morality throughout the novel The Scarlet Letter. The qualities that Hester Prynne possesses shape her as a character. Hawthorne represents Hester Prynne as having moral flaws, but in the end she is a good person. (Bloom 22). As Orson Scott ... Arthur Dimmesdale to speak with Hester. She refuses to state the name of Pearl's father. Dimmesdale, relieved, responds: "Wondrous strength and generosity of a wom...

• Word Count: 1429
• Approx Pages: 6
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... the novel life. The use of light and dark is frequently used to represent good and evil, in the novel The Scarlet Letter written by Nathaniel Hawthorne. The literary theme light versus dark is used by many authors to depict strong feelings in a story. The use of the light and dark settings ... the stained glass windows. Subsequent to this, Pearl asks her mother for some of her sunlight. Hester simply responds, "I have none to give thee." (Hawthorne, chapter 4) Hester has no sunlight to give thee because she has committed the sin of adultery. Through out the novel Hester is not seen much...

• Word Count: 1649
• Approx Pages: 7
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... books in which the "hero " falls from grace and struggles with the consequences. This is very much the case in the novel The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne in which the reader learns about the journey of Hester Prynne, the women caught in adultery and sentenced to wear the shameful "A " on her chest. ... Chillingworth, the man who was married to Hester brings the reader into the exploration of the many themes apparent in the novel. In The Scarlet Letter, Nathaniel Hawthorne uses the characters in the story to help develop the themes of identity in society, the nature of evil, an...

• Word Count: 1923
• Approx Pages: 8
• Has Bibliography

Symbolism in 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 ... the city is to sell her very well-crafted clothing. This in turn causes the Puritan view of her letter "A" to change from adultery to ability. (Hawthorne; Schneider) Arthur Dimmesdale is as much responsible for the creation of the scarlet letter as Hester. Their illicit love has had a different effect him because he ... the minister. When his devilish face is shown, later ...

• Word Count: 1366
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School

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 ... satirical way, he almost mocks the "nonconformist" culture and its faults, as one of his relatives was a judge in the Salem witch trials. However, at the same time, Hawthorne relied heavily on the culture as the basis for all the character's actions, incorporating a dismal tone, supernatural occurrences, and symbolism. The author, at no point, "stretched" ... or exaggerated a situation, but instead left it for the reader to decide. Hawthor...

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

An Analysis of Symbolism in The Scarlet Letter The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne is a novel of conflict between a woman in love and the stern Puritan community in which she resides. Hawthorne illustrates that a woman who follows her heartbreaks the laws of the community. Hester Prynne leaves that ... 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...

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

... for simplicity and naturalness, a love of plain feelings and truth to common place reality, especially as found in natural scenes". Nathaniel Hawthorne was an anti-transcendentalist and believed in the dark side of man, hence his dark romantic novel The Scarlet Letter. This allegorical ... rose bush symbolizes the individual, standing defiantly on their own, lively and strong, in spite of the society as a whole, against them. Hawthorne's use of the rosebush implies that there may be an indestructible human impulse that can survive in people despite social order and natural rights. ... ...

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

Nathaniel Hawthorne is a dark transcendentalist who believes one must go beyond the physical senses and depend on intuition in order to understand reality. In his novel, The Scarlet Letter, Hawthorne reveals his transcendentalist message by using many elaborate symbols. The purpose of this symbolism is to express his belief that there is ... in order to fit in to the city. Those who leave the city and go into the forest are looked upon as bad and evil. Hawthorne believes there was an excessive problem with the way of life in Puritan New England and their intent of aspiring to be the city of G...

• Word Count: 1820
• Approx Pages: 7
• Grade Level: High School

The Scarlet Letter, written by Nathaniel Hawthorne, tells the story of Hester Prynne, who was convicted of adultery in colonial Boston. As punishment, Hester was forced to wear the scarlet letter "A- on her chest as a reminder of her sin. Hester gives birth to a child, Pearl, who is the living reminder of Hester's adulterous act. Hawthorne uses a great deal of symbolism to discuss various themes ... threshold, was a wild rose-bush, covered, in this month of June, with its delicate gems, This rose-bush, by a strange chance survived out of the stern old wilderness - (45-46). Hawthorne describes...

• Word Count: 1487
• Approx Pages: 6
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... opens after the sin has been committed and Pearl, the offspring of the sinful, but natural, union is three months old. As Hawthorne himself states in the opening chapter, the novel is about human weakness and its resulting sorrow. Hawthorne's focus of attention is the effect the sin has on Hester and Dimmesdale. They constantly suffer from shame and guilt throughout the ... 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...

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

... the lives of those around them. All view their effrontery in different ways, some thought they had the right to sin and shame other. Sin was the major topic of Nathaniel Hawthorne The Scarlet Letter. Hester sin of adultery was the focus of this novel. With out her husband, whom she the thought died, she committed adultery. Refusing to give up his ... name as Pearl's father, wanting her to "never know [her] earthly one," only her "heavenly Father" show her determination to stay faithful and loyal to Dimmesdale (Hawthorne 63). A woman full of motherly love that she showers on her daughter...

• Word Count: 1594
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: High School

... understanding of God's grace. Because of this understanding he will lead a life in which hypocrisy and guilt will be the chains that bind him. It is important to note that Nathaniel Hawthorne, the author, writes from a 2 Puritan frame of reference. He has been reared in a Puritan home. The Puritan view stressed rules and regulations with regard to leading a successful "religious" life. Women ... them as well. There were only a few types of garments that she would not be hired to make. These were garments worn by the ministers, linens put in the church (Hawthorne 81). She was not permitt...

• Word Count: 2000
• Approx Pages: 8
• Grade Level: High School

... inner beauty. Not long after this story was published, did women start rebelling against their so-called "position" in society. Hester would have been very proud. The Scarlet Letter, by Nathaniel Hawthorne, is an amazing story of Hester's strength in exposing and accepting her sin, choosing to wear bold apparel, and helping Dimmesdale deal with his inner conflict. She is truly a model ... it, which shows a true strength from within. When she was subjected to standing on the scaffold she held her baby tight as people looked her up and down with disgust (Hawthorne 52). Even though the "A"...

• Word Count: 1678
• Approx Pages: 7
• Grade Level: High School

The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne (298 pages) The story begins in Salem, Massachusetts with a nameless narrator who was the surveyor in a customhouse. He stumbles across a number of documents in the house's attic and among these, ... what that mark was on Dimmesdale's chest that made Chillingsworth believe it was him who was the father, since it was kept from us. It was a real shocker that Ms. Hawthorne had Arthur Dimmesdale fall dead when his daughter is kissing him at the end also. I mean I knew he was really ill and everything, but I was hoping it was all just ... ...

• Word Count: 1497
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: High School