... than a dime-store romance about a love denied; however, after a closer reading, this proves to be a novel about brilliantly interwoven characters written in a technically complex format. 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 ... 's beauty is likened to a rose. She cries for one in the governor's garden ...

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

... of the symbols used. For example, the scarlet letter is the mark of Hester's adultery to society, but to Hester it is a symbol of her passion and love for Dimmesdale and it reminds her of her strength. Towards the end of the story, society changes their perceptions of the scarlet letter to mean "able- rather than "adulterer-. The narrator refers to Pearl as the moral blossom of the novel. She is the one that will teach the moral lesson of the ... not expect any good to come from Hester's sin. Hawthorne makes another reference to weeds in Puritan society in chapter six, " Puritan elders ...

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

... nonetheless took pride in the science of creating a potion that did actually remove the birthmark. Rappaccini was prideful in the creation of his daughter and at the same time the creation of a new flower. He took pride of his plant experimentation and in trying to create the perfect Garden of Eden for his daughter. When Hawthorne wrote these stories he showed that the pride and coldness of these characters would leave readers ... , where is she punished for her sin, and must learn to live the lifestyle that they do. Hester's sin has affected her in a positive way in the person of Pearl,...

• Word Count: 1373
• Approx Pages: 5
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... nonetheless took pride in the science of creating a potion that did actually remove the birthmark. Rappaccini was prideful in the creation of his daughter and at the same time the creation of a new flower. He took pride of his plant experimentation and in trying to create the perfect Garden of Eden for his daughter. When Hawthorne wrote these stories he showed that the pride and coldness of these characters would leave readers ... , where is she punished for her sin, and must learn to live the lifestyle that they do. Hester's sin has affected her in a positive way in the person of Pearl,...

• Word Count: 1442
• Approx Pages: 6
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... 268). This passage reveals that Brown had an unwitting knowledge of his own failure of perception. There are many rich biblical symbols in Hawthorne's tale. When Brown meets with the devil, the devil gives him a staff in the shape of a "great black snake" (261) to help him walk further. The staff represents the snake in the Garden of Eden that led Adam and Eve to their subsequent exile. ... sin. Brown becomes devoid of the capability to understand that to sin is inherent in everyone, most importantly himself. This leads him to a subsequent lifetime of ignorance, grievance, and hatred. ...

• Word Count: 1393
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: High School

... that with nearly every other character in the book, it is Henry who needs the prompting. Henry looks to the priest for advice and as someone in which to confide. It is through his conversations with the priest that Henry comes to many important conclusions in the book, realizations about love, about the inefficacy of the war and of those conducting it, about the nature of man and power. Henry himself says ... about the priest, "He had always known what I did not know and what, when I learned it, I was always ... been if Peter had rescued him in the Garden?". He is implying that the Chr...

• Word Count: 1357
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School