Use of Characterization Symbolism and Irony in The Scarlet Letter
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Jordan Mars
Driscoll-Gillespie
English 11 AP-3
November 17, 2002
In The Scarlet Letter Nathaniel Hawthorne uses literary devices to teach his readers about his characters. All of Hawthorne's characters display traits that contribute greatly to the story. He uses characterization, symbolism, and irony to help the reader understand the meaning of these characters and how they are represented through distinctive traits. Hester represents strength, Dimmesdale weakness, and the deformed Chillingworth shows the consequences of leading a life full of hate. Nathaniel Hawthorne reveals traits of his characters Hester, Dimmesdale, and Chillingworth through characterization, symbolism, and irony to help the reader understand the outcome of The Scarlet Letter. Through Hester's strength, Dimmesdale's weakness, and Chillingworth's hate, Hawthorne successfully reveals why these traits are important to the story through characterization, symbolism, and irony.
Hester Prynne is a woman of strength. This trait is revealed with distinct uses of characterization, symbolism, and irony throughout the story. Hawthorne displays strength strongly through his direct characterization of her physical beauty. The woman had strong, dark features and even while she was in jail "her beauty shone out and made a halo of the misfortune and ignominy in which she was enveloped"(7)...