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Symbolism in The Scarlet Letter Symbolism is an essential element throughout Nathaniel Hawthorne’s novel, The Scarlet Letter. Several symbols that are seen in the book are caused by one form or another of a supernatural state or being. This is quite appropriate and expected, considering that the whole book revolves around a concept related to religion and God. Nature also has quite a significant role in regard to portraying symbolism. Along with natural and supernatural symbols, symbols that are created by humans also have significant importance in the novel. Symbols of a supernatural nature keep the story interesting and flowing. Supernatural symbols are essential in The Scarlet Letter, because of their connection with the Puritan society and Puritan beliefs. Since the story revolves much around Puritan beliefs, it is almost expected that symbols of a supernatural nature would turn up in the book. Supernatural symbols also add a somewhat needed boost to the otherwise monotonous plot line. The stigmata that Chillingworth finds on Dimmesdale’s chest, which looks like the letter A, is a supernatural symbol representing Dimmesdale’s inner suffering and turmoil. “The physician advanced directly in front of his patient, laid his hand upon his bosom, and thrust aside the vestment that, hitherto, had always covered it from the professional eye. After a brief pause, the physician turned away. But with what a wild look of wonder, joy, and horror! With what a ghostly rapture, as it were, too mighty to be expressed only by the eye and features, and therefore bursting forth through the whole ugliness of his figure, and making itself even riotously manifest by the extravagant gestures with which he threw up his arms towards the ceiling, and stamped his foot upon the floor! Had a man seen old Roger Chillingworth, at that moment of his ecstasy, he would have no need to ask how Satan comports himself when a precious human soul is lost to heaven, and won into his kingdom. But what distinguished the physician’s ecstasy from Satan’s was the trait of wonder in it!” (pg. 127) This scar is Dimmesdale’s parallel to the scarlet letter that Hester Prynne must wear, though Dimmesdale is able to conceal his scar underneath his clothing, whilst Hester is unable to hide her scarlet letter. Another essential supernatural symbol in the book is the meteor that appears in the sky on the night when Reverend Dimmesdale winds up going to the balcony. “We impute it, therefore, solely to the disease in his own eye and heart, that the minister, looking upward to the zenith, beheld there the appearance of an immense letter, —the letter A, —marked out in lines of dull red light.” (pg. 143) This is a very powerful symbol in that it links Dimmesdale’s sin of adultery to the supernatural realm, showing that Hester is not the only one being tormented for the sin of adultery.
Approximate Word count = 1802
Approximate Pages = 7.2
(250 words per page double spaced)
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