The black and red contrast in general drawing attention and it shows the sin, represented by the red, with the rebellion, represented by the black, which helps to reveal the truth about Hester in the novel. Red also represents passion. By ending with this image of the scarlet letter on a black background, it represents the passion Hester has for her tangible representation of the truth, Pearl. Everyone has seen Pearl for she cannot be hidden, much like the scarlet letter upon Hester, and the
The scarlet letter is one of the main symbols Hawthorne uses in the novel. The scarlet letter is an A, which stands for “adultery.” Hester wears this letter on her breast as a reminder of her sin. The letter is mentioned numerous times throughout the novel because it is a constant reminder to all the characters of what Hester had done. Hester feels guilty while she wears the scarlet letter because she knows she committed an immoral sin, and the townspeople scorn her for it. Reverend Dimmesdale also wears in A on his chest, since he too was a part of this sin.
This embodied sin of Hester follows her wherever she travels to, just as the actual embroidered letter sticks with Hester. Just as Pearl depicts her mother's sin, she also shows her mother's resilience and emotional strength. This is equivalent to how the scarlet letter ends up being a symbol of power in the Puritan society. "The scarlet letter had the effect of the cross on a nun's bosom. It imparted to the wearer a kind of sacredness which enabled her to
Prynne commits adultery in the novel, one of the most unforgivable sins. Not only is she a walking example of human's sinful nature, but she is forced to display her wrongdoing in the form of a brilliant scarlet letter "A" embroidered to her bosom. This scarlet letter embodies another antitranscendental qualitythe use of symbolism, as the scarlet letter contrasts so brightly against the blackandwhite Puritan society just as Prynne's sin stands out significantly against the bland, regulated Puritan lifestyle in which she lives. To emphasize the symbolism of the letter Hawthorne writes, "It was so fancy, that it has all the effect of a last and fitting decoration to the apparel she wore; ...but was greatly beyond what was allowed by the sumptuary regulations of this colony," (Hawthorne, 37). Hawthorne uses Prynne's scarlet letter as a huge piece of symbolism.
It felt to Hester as though the red cloth emanated a “burning heat; and as if the letter were not of red cloth, but red-hot iron” (30). As beautiful and as ornately designed as the letter was, it was created as a symbol of shame to be worn by Hester and to be seen and condemned by everyone in the town. Hawthorne’s decision for the letter to be red can be seen as symbolic, as the color can represent the pain that Hester has with the situation. It can also be seen as the death of her innocence as she is judged by society. Later in the novel the color red is used to describe Pearl, called a “scarlet vision” by the narrator (101).
The story starts out with Hester and Pearl on the scaffold. This where the scaffold means shame because this is the place where Hester receives the scarlet letter. The letter is a very wonderful looking but it is has a terrible meaning. "On the breast of her gown, in fine red cloth, surrounded with an elaborate embroidery and fantastic flourishes of gold-thread, appeared the letter A. It was so artistically done, and with so much fertility and gorgeous luxuriance of fancy, that it had all the effect of a last and fitting decoration to the apparel which she wore; and which was of a splendor in accordance with the taste of the age, but greatly beyond what was allowed by the sumptuary regulations of the colony.
In chapters nine and ten, Hawthorne explains that “Mr. Dimmesdale has evidently began to fail” (109) by maintaining to be the perfect example of holiness. For years now “his form grew emaciated” (109) trying to protect his reputation, by keeping his secret from the townspeople. As much as he tries to hide his sorrows, the people discern his actions and emotions through the way he interacts in the community. Dimmesdale is now “considered by his more fervent admirers as a little less than a heaven-oriented apostle” (109).
It takes real love to take the punishment upon her. Hester could have given pearl and herself a better life and a life without infamy of the scarlet letter depict on her bosom. She shows strength in which she followed through and continued to her word by not speaking his name. A weak individual would have easily given up and taken the easy way out by revealing there “fellow sinner”. Nathaniel Hawthorne fulfills the writer’s principle through Hester and Pearl’s intricacy of religious mentality.
William Tooker, Elizabeth’s personal chaplain, states, “How often have I seen her most serene Majesty, prostrate on her knees, body and soul rapt in prayer . . . .” He describes the Queen in a touching ceremony, and how she works hard to cure people of the Struma. One would expect a worker of Elizabeth’s to support her, as they have known her for a long time and are supposed to treat her with respect.
Bah!” (26). Mademoiselle had the independence that Edna wants; when she plays she is free from all troubles and despair. Whereas, Edna can paint but still has her children and husband Leonce when she is finished to take care of. The two women share a common interest freedom. Mademoiselle sees this potential in Edna but knows that Edna must first grow into an independent woman and seek the freedom on her own.