symbolism in the scarlet letter
...ntly sneering at her in public. The scarlet letter is a symbol of what society wants to see. The townspeople soon begin to accept her and believe that letter had supernatural powers. They decide that it meant able. The townspeople's opinion and vision of the scarlet letter changes into the complete opposite within a short period of time. To the Puritan community, it is a mark of just punishment. In the beginning of the story the letter struck fear into society’s hearts. It symbolizes the unfair humiliation she endures, such as standing on the scaffold. To Pearl, the A is a bright and mysterious curiosity, which symbolizes her existence and the meaning behind it. Pearl almost mocks Hester by creating and A on her chest made of green seaweed, which represents her innocence, but also signifies her future and the daughter of a sinner. For Chillingsworth, the A represents the need for revenge and fuels his quest. To Dimmesdale, the A is a piercing reminder of his guilt in concealing his sin. It drives him to punish himself and endure the torture Chillingsworth puts him through. “No man for any considerable period can wear one face to himself and another to the multitude, without finally getting bewildered as to which may be the true.” The night Dimmesdale was on the scaffold, he sees a red A in the sky. It symbolizes Angel to the townspeople on the night of Governor Winthrop’s death. The forest represents a free world and a dark world. For the most part, it is a place where no Puritan law exists, at least for the four main characters. Hawthorne provides a sanctuary in the forest. It is used as a shelter for members of society in need of refuge from daily Puritan life. Mistress Hibbins invited Hester to attend on the their meeting in the forest. “Wilt thou go with tonight? There will be a merry company in the forest and I will nigh promised the Black Man that comely Hester Prynne should make one,” she said. For Pearl, the forest is a place where she can run and play freely. It also represents a dark world where witches gather, and where Dimmesdale can acknowledge his sin to Hester, but not to the world. In the forest, Dimmesdale openly tells Hester of his love for her. The forest is freedom. Hester can be herself and not be hidden behind her shame. The forest can be a place of honestly but will a...