Symbolism in the Scarlet Lette

Symbolism in The Scarlet Letter The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne uses objects, events and people to show meaning within the novel. The symbolism is used to serve as a representation of the mistakes that Hester Prynne made in her life and to mark her development through life. Hawthorne’s abundant use of symbolism is used to enhance the novel and leave the ending up to the reader’s imagination. The scaffold, the forest and …

…to be interpreted in several different ways. Due to the large amount of symbolism, the interpretation of the novel is left up to the reader’s imagination. The scarlet letter “A” and Pearl are both reminders to Hester of the sin she committed and she cannot ever get away from it, while the scaffold represents the acknowledgement of her sins. The forest and sunlight show the good verses evil that is present in the novel.