The Scarlet Letter

SYMBOLISM The Scarlet Letter abounds with symbolism, which Hawthorne uses to unify the novel and add a deeper level of meaning to the story. The chief symbol in the novel is the scarlet letter "A", which openly symbolizes Hester's adultery. For Dimmesdale and Hester, the scarlet letter stands for agony, which Hester displays in her isolated life and which Dimmesdale displays in his deteriorating health. By the end of the novel, the townspeople think that …

…she makes it out of seaweed that is bright green, the color of life itself. Black is also used in the novel. Mistress Hibbins practices black magic throughout the book, and many suspect Chillingworth of doing the same. An understanding of the symbolic level of meaning in the novel is essential for a better comprehension of the book as a whole. The discerning reader will find the repeated use of symbolism throughout The Scarlet Letter.