The Effective Use of Symbols in Nathaniel Hawthornes The Scarlet Lette

The Effective Use of Symbols in Nathaniel Hawthornes The Scarlet garner Webster defined symbolisation with these talking to Something concrete that represents or suggests another thing that cannot in itself be pictured. This concept has been particularly applied to literature and used by writers throughout history. Nathaniel Hawthornes The Scarlet Letter uses multitudes of symbols in such a manner. One of the most prominent, and most complicated, of such symbols is the scarlet letter A. The scarlet letter A is a symbol of a daughters connection to her mother, isolation, and the devil and its associations.The scarlet letter represents free falls emotional attachment to Hester. For instance, Pearl is as deeply affectionate to the letter as she is to her mother. In chapter ten, Pearl takes a handful of burrs, and she arranged them along the lines of the scarlet letter. In this instance, Pearl is showing her fondness for her mother by decorating her letter - as if the letter its elf were a fair between the two. Additionally, Pearl views the letter and her mother as equals. During chapter fourteen, Hester decides to remove her letter while in the forest. Thus, Pearl is reluctant to approach her. Hester, realizing what is wrong, says, Pearl misses that which she has always seen me wear. by and by she returns the letter her bosom, Pearl kissed Hesters brow and both cheeks ... but ... Pearl put up her mouth, and kissed the scarlet letter too. (Hawthorne) Because of the fact that Pearl equates the letter to her mother, the letter is as deep a symbol of motherly connection as Hester is herself.In addition to emotional attachment, the scarlet letter represents isolation. Whoever wears the letter will be feared by so... ...references to the devil and Hell make it clear that the letter is indeed infernal.The scarlet letter A, the most intricate symbol in the novel, is extremely various as its meanings strongly contrast. Often times, these meanings of the symbol a re directly stated, but they are frequently indirect as well. The symbols meaning can also be expressed through a variety of methods such as character dialogue, narrative, or allusions through imagery. Despite the differences between maternal love, estrangement, and avernal entities, the letter is still capable to encompass these concepts into its symbolism.Works CitedHawthorne, Nathaniel. The Scarlet Letter. Oxford Oxford University Press, 1998.Langenscheidts Pocket Merriam-Webster Dictionary. New York Langenscheidt Publishers, Inc, 1999. Springfield, Massachusetts Merriam-Webster, Incorporated, 1997.