Scarlet letter symbolism essay
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The Scarlet Letter, written by Nathaniel Hawthorne shows many extensive uses of symbols that provide knowledge into the meaning of his book. The symbols that are shown in the book all evolve around the basic principle of sin. Hester Prynne, who has an affair with the local Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale, is the committer of this sin. She receives a scarlet letter on her chest that symbolizes her act of adultery, and from God she receives Pearl who also acts as another reminder for the sin she has committed. The puritan society believed that all humans deserved damnation because of original sin (cited source #4). Hawthorne shows many other symbols that help with the understanding of the book.
Hawthorne's use of light and darkness in the story provides a better understanding to the good and evil shown throughout it. For instance, after Hester committed her act of sin she became hidden in the shadows of society. The darkness that follows Hester comes from her act of sin and shows how she isn't pure within the society anymore. "No, my little Pearl!..