Symbolism in the Scarlet Letter

831 Words4 Pages
Jutyar O. Mahmood ELL 507 Prof. Dr. Barry Charles Tharaud "Symbols" In The Scarlet Letter What is a symbol? A symbol is the use of a concrete object to represent an abstract idea. The word symbol is derived from the Greek verb "Symballein" which means " to put together and the related noun" Symbolon" which means " mark" or " taken" or " sign". A symbol may appear in a work of literature in a number of different ways to suggest a number of different things. Most commonly, a symbol will present itself in the form of a word, or a figure of speech, or an event, or the total action, or a character. The Scarlet Letter"A" The Scarlet Letter"A" is meant to be a symbol of shame,but instead it becomes a powerful symbol of identity to Hester. The letter's meaning shifts as time passes. Originally, it intended to mark Hester as an adulterer, the "A" eventually comes to stand for"Able". Furthermore, for the Native Americans who come to watch the Election Day Pageant thinks it marks her as a person of importance and status. Hester Prynne is a powerful capable woman, she herself alters the meaning of the letter"A"from sinfulness and shameful ness into holiness, righteousness and ability through her continuos hardworking, charity and brave resistance. Pearl, Hester's daughter, is a symbol of all that Hester gave up when she committed adultery and gave up her place in Puritan Society. Additionally, Pearl is a symbol of struggle, resistance, rejection of restricted rules of Puritan Society. Hester lives in perpetual punishment because of Pearl,that is why she loves her so much. Moreover, Pearl is a symbol of precious jewelry and precious object for the reader. Dimmesdale sees her a "freedom of a broken law". At the

More about Symbolism in the Scarlet Letter

Open Document