In The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorn, many symbols are present. The largest and most know of the symbols is the scarlet letter A. The scarlet letter A was prominent thought out the whole story and was surrounded by other smaller symbols. The first third of "The Scarlet Letter" is when the scarlet letter is introduced along with the explanation surrounding it. The scarlet letter A is introduced in chapter two during the first scaffold scene. The scaffold is where Hester Prynne is forced to stand for three hours in order to face public shame for her sin, so the scaffold represents a person’s sin and shame. Hester 's sin is adultery, which is what the scarlet letter a on her chest stands for. Hester 's sin is brought up in
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The forest scene with the meeting between Hester and Dimmesdale is another important turning point of the story. Hester is shown as being stronger than Dimmesdale because she is the one who saves Dimmesdale from his sin. The most important part from this scene is the fact that Dimmesdale kisses Pearl showing his acceptance not only of Pearl but also of the sin that caused the scarlet letter a. The confrontation between Mistress Hibbins and Dimmesdale is also important. The main symbol in this confrontation is that Mistress Hibbins is symbolizing the salvation of Dimmesdale. Mistress Hibbins foreshadows Dimmesdale’s salvation by saying that soon the whole community will know his secret and sin. Near the end of the book is the final scaffold scene, in which Dimmesdale reveals his sin. At the end of the book, the scaffold symbolizes Dimmesdale’s salvation because after 7 years he is finally able to reveal his sin and escape from Chillingworth. Dimmesdale’s chest is assumed to also have the scarlet letter a on it however, others claim his chest was bare. Even though the end of the book has come, the scarlet letter A was still present. “The Scarlet Letter” is basically a full symbol of the scarlet letter A. Even though the A itself is not always the main symbol of a chapter or scene, it is always present and can be
The forest scene with the meeting between Hester and Dimmesdale is another important turning point of the story. Hester is shown as being stronger than Dimmesdale because she is the one who saves Dimmesdale from his sin. The most important part from this scene is the fact that Dimmesdale kisses Pearl showing his acceptance not only of Pearl but also of the sin that caused the scarlet letter a. The confrontation between Mistress Hibbins and Dimmesdale is also important. The main symbol in this confrontation is that Mistress Hibbins is symbolizing the salvation of Dimmesdale. Mistress Hibbins foreshadows Dimmesdale’s salvation by saying that soon the whole community will know his secret and sin. Near the end of the book is the final scaffold scene, in which Dimmesdale reveals his sin. At the end of the book, the scaffold symbolizes Dimmesdale’s salvation because after 7 years he is finally able to reveal his sin and escape from Chillingworth. Dimmesdale’s chest is assumed to also have the scarlet letter a on it however, others claim his chest was bare. Even though the end of the book has come, the scarlet letter A was still present. “The Scarlet Letter” is basically a full symbol of the scarlet letter A. Even though the A itself is not always the main symbol of a chapter or scene, it is always present and can be