The Scarlet Letter Symbolism Letter A Nearly 150

The Scarlet Letter Symbolism

Letter ‘A’ Nearly 150 direct or indirect references in novel. But what does it stand for?

Adultery • The word adultery never appears in the novel. • The ‘A’ has different meanings as the novel progresses.

Angel • In the sky, signals Governor Winthrop’s ascendance as an Angel when he dies.

Affection • Hester views the A as a reminder of the Affection which the token shields from her heart.

Alone • The letter isolates her and Pearl from society.

Able • Hester’s charitable work effect a subtle change in the letter’s meaning; a badge of honor

Anguish • Symbolizes the anguish Dimmesdale feels until he confesses.

Atonement • Symbol of atonement once Dimmesdale confesses.

Other symbols? Dark vs. Light Motif

Dark Motif Puritans • Puritans seem cold and rigid • Dress in dark, drab colors • Grays, browns, and black of town and forest

Dark Motif Hester and Dimmesdale • ‘A’—sinful; no joy • Hester and Dimmesdale live in perpetual shadows (hidden secrets) • Dimmesdale on scaffold at night • No sunlight shines on Hester—lost her innocence • As long as they hide the truth, neither is able to stand in full sunlight. • Once Hester picks up the A and Dimmesdale returns to town, darkness again overtakes them, for both have once more taken up their burden of guilt and shame.

Dark Motif Roger Chillingworth • Chillingworth’s dark nature (evil) emerges as he becomes more obsessed with revenge • Chillingworth often linked with “Black Man”

Light Motif Letter ‘A’ • Brilliant red and gold of ‘A’ • Red color offers compassion and finally honesty.

Light Motif Sunshine • Peal frolics freely in the sunshine • One instance of sunlight penetrating the forest and embracing Hester and Dimmesdale—when Hester sheds the A and Dimmesdale agrees to abandon his false position within the church of Boston. • Sun appears on Election Day when Dimmesdale mounts the scaffold with Hester and Pearl. • As Dimmesdale confesses, he is bathed in sunlight, and the shadow of secret sin is lifted from Hester and Dimmesdale forever. (The two are purged of guilt. )

Allegory • A poem, play, or story in which the apparent meaning of the characters and events is used to symbolize a deeper moral or spiritual meaning. • The use of symbolism to illustrate truth or a moral. Why is this novel considered an allegory?