Scarlet Letter Scaffold Symbol

In the novel, "The Scarlet Letter", Nathanial Hawthorne uses many double-sided symbols. The scaffold is an important symbol, appearing in three key scenes. It epitomizes the three stages of the story, as the second appearance of the scaffold is one of the many climaxes in the story. Appearing in the first scaffold scene is Hester Prynne, the main character of the novel. She is alone, with her young baby Pearl. Hawthorne subtlely places the other …

…represented the coward throughout the story till now. But at last, in the final scene, Hester and Dimmesdale are in the light. The confession gives him a sense of peace. The scaffold is shown at the beginning and end of the novel. A prominent event occurs at every appearance, stressing its importance. It has a powerful representation of the platform of Judgement Day, and the struggle of mankind bearing their sin in front of God.