SYMBOLISM / MOTIFS / IMAGERY / SYMBOLS

The Scarlet Letter abounds with symbolism, which Hawthorne uses to unify the novel
and add a deeper level of meaning to the story.
The Scarlet Letter "A"
The chief symbol in the novel is the scarlet letter "A", which openly symbolizes Hester's
adultery. For Dimmesdale and Hester, the scarlet letter stands for agony, which Hester
displays in her isolated life and which Dimmesdale displays in his deteriorating health.
By the end of the novel, the townspeople think that Hester's scarlet "A" stands for Ability,
for she has become a generous helper for the poor and downtrodden and a wise counselor
for their problems.
This gesture of Dimmesdale's placing his hand over his heart is also symbolic. It is the
minister's attempt to cover his mark of sinfulness and prevent his exposure. It also
suggests his nervous condition and reflects his grieved state.
The Scaffold
The scaffold is a symbol of penitence and God's platform on the Day of Judgment. It is a
reflection of appearing before the Almighty in one's weakness. Because of the
comparison, Dimmesdale has great difficulty in standing on the platform and confessing
his sins. He first does it under the cover of darkness for no one to see him, as if he were
trying to hide from God himself. In the end, however, he bravely stands on the scaffold
and confesses his sin in the light of day and before a crowd of people. The confession
finally gives him a sense of peace.
The Prison
The prison, presented in the opening chapter of the novel, is a symbol of isolation and
alienation, foreshadowing the life that Hester will lead even after she leaves its confines.
While Hester lives in the prison of alienation, Dimmesdale lives in the prison of his
unconfessed guilt, and Chillingworth is imprisoned by his vengeance. Pearl, alone,
remains free.
The Rose Bush
The rose bush growing across from the prison respresents a constant reminder of
salvation and hope to all the prisoners. Later in the book Pearl states that she was plucked
from the rosebush and was born. This symbolizes that Pearl is the key to not only Hester's
salvation, but to Dimmesdale and indirectly to Chillingsworth. Pearl was born into a
world of sin and for her to be saved, everyone must find their salvation through her. It
represents a light in the darkness of Hester's sin.

The Forest
The forest is symbolic of Nature, both in its darker and lighter aspects. When the rays of
sunshine fall on Pearl but do not reach Hester, they symbolize her inability to find
happiness or warmth. The pervading darkness is suggestive of the dull gloom in her life.
That darkness is dispelled when she meets with Dimmesdale and plans to flee from
Boston with him. As a symbol of her freedom, she throws away the scarlet letter and
undoes her hair. Appropriately, a flood of sunshine illuminates the forest, dispelling the
darkness.
Colors
Hawthorne also gives symbolic meanings to the colors that he employs in the novel. The
dark, sober, sable garments that Hester wears represent her dull and gloomy life filled
with grief, guilt, and sorrow.
In contrast, she dresses Pearl in bright colors, especially crimson, in defiance of the
scarlet letter and as a symbol of the child's free spirit. The color of the letter carries
special significance. It is red because that is the color associated with the devil, and the
Puritans believed that Hester's sin was a mark of Satan.
Ironically, the innocent Pearl fashions a letter "A" to wear herself, but she makes it out of
seaweed that is bright green, the color of life itself. Black is also used in the novel.
Mistress Hibbins practices black magic throughout the book, and many suspect
Chillingworth of doing the same.
An understanding of the symbolic level of meaning in the novel is essential for a better
comprehension of the book as a whole. The discerning reader will find the repeated use
of symbolism throughout The Scarlet Letter.