The most symbolic piece of work in American Literature is Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter. Hawthorne's use of symbolism in The Scarlet Letter is one of the most significant contributions to the rise of American Literature. ... The most important symbol which is carried throughout the novel is undoubtedly the scarlet letter A. ... Originally standing for the sin of adultery it has a different meaning for each character. ... Nathaniel Hawthorne's use of symbolism in The Scarlet Letter shows his greatness to produce a novel of the ...

• Word Count: 502
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School

In Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter, the character of Hester Prynne suffered from a case of mass hysteria and superstition rather than a becoming victim of sin. ... Chapter Two, The Market-Place (2.) Chapter Thirteen, Another View of Hester (3.) ... The scarlet letter A', which Nathaniel Hawthorne refers to in actuality, stands for adultery. ... It was none the less a fact however, that, in the eyes of the very men who spoke thus, the scarlet letter had the effect of the cross on a nun's bosom."" ...

• Word Count: 1213
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School

The Scarlet Letter is a book revealing lives of sin, social identity, and humanity. ... Through the crowd's remarks and the narration of Hester's thoughts, it can be concluded that the scarlet letter stands for "adulteress." ... In the third chapter, a small, deformed man accompanied by an Indian is identified in the crowd. ... Pearl delights in the scarlet letter and enjoys emphasizing the symbol on her mother's breast. In fact, it is said that when Pearl was a baby, the first feature she noticed about her mother was the scarlet letter on her breast. ...

• Word Count: 3653
• Approx Pages: 15
• Grade Level: High School

In The Scarlet Letter Hester is convicted for a crime she never committed. ... We said so to each other!" ... She wears the scarlet letter with no shame. The scarlet letter is extravagantly sewn and placed on her bosom. ... The book persistently repeats how Pearl is the embodiment of the scarlet letter. ...

• Word Count: 694
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

These chapters also show the reader that the society is depicting the political reality of Hester's World, the Puritan society. The Puritans intended to create a "Utopian" society, but it can be seen in these chapters that this world already knows sin. The women of the town criticize her for embroidering the scarlet letter, the symbol of her shame, with such care and in such a flashy manner. ... Chapter five deals with one of the major questions of the book: why does Hester choose to stay in Boston when she is free to leave? ... Each time Hester watches or talks to Pearl, she is remind...

• Word Count: 295
• Approx Pages: 1
• Grade Level: High School

Symbolism in the Scarlet Letter The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne contains abundant symbolism, which is used to unify the novel and add deeper meaning. ... The most important symbol in the novel is the scarlet letter, which affects each character in a different way. ... In Chapter 10 of the novel, Chillingworth discovers what is believed to be an "A" carved into Dimmesdale's chest. ... (Bloom 91-92) Pearl is also greatly affected by the scarlet letter, but in another way. ... (Novelguide) Nathaniel Hawthorne uses symbols very well in his novel The Scarlet Letter. ...

• Word Count: 1366
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School

The Scarlet Letter One belief that people live by is that evil is the nature of mankind, yet there are others that feel man has good intentions but those intentions can be overrun by the devil. Nathaniel Hawthorne points out that the former is true of all people in the novel The Scarlet Letter. In this novel, there are three main characters who commit evil and sinful acts, but each act is at a different degree of sinfulness. ... In the novel, Hester received a scarlet letter, "A," for her sins, which she had to wear upon her chest for the rest of her life in Boston. ... By chapter 14, ...

• Word Count: 1211
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School

The symbolism of the scarlet letter is expanded in Chapter Five, Hester at Her Needle. ... Throughout the beginning chapters Hester is isolated and looked down upon by the Puritans. ... They would call to each other, "Do you see that woman with the embroidered badge? ... Hester and her scarlet letter never achieve simplicity. ... Another vision of Hester's letter is that of its color, scarlet. ...

• Word Count: 1352
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School