The Symbolism of Hester Prynne's Appearance in The Scarlet Letter

The Symbolism of Hester Prynne's Appearance Throughout The Scarlet Letter, the author Nathaniel Hawthorne uses many literal and figurative items to illustrate the significance of various characters or themes. Coupled with the tangible evidence given, the reader can make many miscellaneous assumptions of the importance of these items to directly and indirectly contribute to the issues of the novel. One cryptic item that symbolizes more than it seems to is the appearance of one of …

…was before the scarlet letter took over her life. The inward composure and integrity of Hester Prynne is directly reflected by the outward appearance of her hair. Seen by the three main examples in the novel, Hester's hair is an important figurative symbol that represents the different points where Hester may stand. The entire novel of The Scarlet Letter is filled with many emblematic items, each of which symbolizes and enhances something more easily understood.