Meanings and Symbols: Analyse Them In Your Essay
1. A Scarlet Letter
Although the scarlet letter is meant to be a symbol of shame it turns out to be a powerful symbol of identity. As time passes, the letter’s meaning changes. Previously, it was meant to mark Hester as an adulterer but it came to mean able. At first, it symbolizes Hester’s shame and sin. This is because she commits adultery and gets a child as a result. However, he refuses to let this to be dictated by others. Although she is going to wear it she must own it and make it beautiful. Once she takes its ownership she makes it a cool symbol for identity.
Later, the scarlet letter meant adultery and able, meaning Hester is such able woman who can do anything. She not only works hard but the people also recognizes her. They start admiring her for charity and grace that then begins to change the meaning of the scarlet letter. She later takes the meaning of the letter again but this time it’s something new and something to be admired. She has actually transformed the meaning of scarlet letter through actions and attitude. In the face of what could be a bad punishment she became such a boss lady.
2. Red and black
This symbolizes Hester’s passion. Here, black symbolizes sin and devil. The narrator compares Chilling worth with Satan. By talking about Satan, he tries to question whether humans are good or evil or whether evil happens just by an accident. They actually likes to use black as symbol of evil making it something that is different from the common human life. However, here, we do not know whether Hawthome agrees or not.
3. Pearl
Apart from being Hester’s daughter, Pearl also symbolizes redemption and sin. This means there is duality in her existence. She symbolizes sin and acts as a living reminder of adulterer. However, she also represents Hester’s redemption and hope. She gives up a lot of things for pearl including her standing in the community, her reputation, and her friendship that makes her precious just like her name. She also gives her a new reason to live and represents the spirit in her. This is the heart of her humanity and what makes her the person she is. She is a human being hence has a chance to redeem herself. Later on, she redeems herself in the face of her community.
4. Forest and wilderness
According to the town people the forest is unknown and is full of scary creatures and American Indians and to make matters worse there is no rule of law. The town is basically ruled by religion and law but the forest is just a place of emotion and passion.