Literary Analysis Essay on The Scarlet Letter

Introduction

The novel "The Scarlet Letter" underscores various symbolism used in the conveyance of specific meanings to the reader in the literal piece. Nathaniel Hawthorn, the author of the novel of shaming stigmatization in the social realms in the early Puritanism, juxtaposes the letter 'A' as one of the symbolism in the book with diverse meanings. The charter, for in instance in the spheres of metaphor, is colorfully written and appears on Hester's neck to symbolize sin and adultery, albeit later or the symbolic letter innocence coupled with Hester's angelic and penance character. Hawthorne, therefore, uses the letter 'A' i "The Scarlet Letter" as a transformation of objects from their symbolic meanings that delves into the realms of circumstances, choices, and lifestyle.

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The letter 'A' becomes a subject of controversy in the natural world. Some readers underlie it as one a dominant letter in the novel as Hester Prynne is punished by wearing it as a punishment of her lewd acts. And it is a humiliating aspect seen in her clothes during her stay at Puritanical Boston. It is said that the Puritan society had diverse disgrace patches that they could make sinners wear like letter 'D' a meant for the drunkard, and the letter 'A' was said for adultery. Additionally, the letter A in the novel underscores an integral part of the story, coupled with the ability to analyze and evaluate in the text following its various contextual clues. The letter is a representation of knowledge following Hester's ability to survive in a very hostile situation on her own. By them, she is an emblem of a strong woman with the capability of taking care of herself devoid of dependent on herself. Hester showed her strong ability right from the start and always holding her head high, stemming from accepting her punishment and proudly taking the torments that the townspeople threw at her. Her ability is shown through her daughter's strong upbringing, coupled with the devotion of her nursing work and seamstress. The turning point of her talent was overcoming sentences by accepting her sins and herself as well as loving who she was. She says, "Were I to be quit of it, I would fall away from its nature, or be transformed into something that should speak of a different purport" (Hawthorne 155). Perhaps that could have even the primary reason why people began following her examples and embracing her or who she was and not for what she was labeled. The letter, therefore, makes Hester earn the respect of the Puritans following her ability and despite her sins.

Similarly, the letter 'A' symbolizes action through Hester's self-sufficiency and in raising Pearl on her own. It also shows Dimmesdale's failures to act and confessions of his sins to the end. And Unlike Hester, Dimmesdale delves in the realms of shame, thus resulting in his failures to behave appropriately towards Pearl and Hester. Moreover, the letter 'A' is a symbol of absolution following the moves by the Puritan community in forgiving Hester for her sins "individuals had overlooked Hester Prynne...the town's own Hester was kind to the poor, so helpful to the sick (Hawthorne 149). The letter also indicated Hester's protection from evil that might have surrounded her "...had the effect of the cross on a nun's bosom (Hawthorne 149). Perhaps that might have also indicated her evolvement by God owing o her sacrifice and goodness. Moreover, the letter 'A' is a representation of angelic, owing to Hester's becoming transformation to a model citizen and helping most people in the community. She achieves that through the hard work that makes her earn their trust, thereby ultimately becoming a prominent person due to her embroidery and sewing.

The letter 'A' in the novel is a symbolism of transformation, prevalently in the new and changing America as its representation of leaving old values behind and welcoming the modern world just like the pilgrims' this when they settled in America. Hawthorne uses the letter as an emblem of American symbolic value like freedom of choice and individuality seen through his feminist fights against a society dominated by males and succeeds in that through the use and success of the character Hester. The letter 'A' represents American through the character Hester who was in a loveless marriage, separated from her husband for two years. Thinking that he had died at the bottom sea, she fell in love with another man, thus resulting in her punishment by the Puritan. She was therefore labeled and forever damned with 'A' however much she tried to change for the better.

Furthermore, the letter 'A' presents diverse meanings in various characters like to Hester; it is a form of humiliation, to Dimmesdale, it portrays a reminder of his contributions. To Pearl, it represents peculiarity, whereas to Roger Chilling worth, it is an emblem of a retaliation journey and like an angel, since it appeared in the sky when Governor Winthrop died. Puritan community portrays letter that appeared in the air marked the entry of the Governor in heaven and a confirmation of the divinity of their sentiments. Dimmesdale's version of the note on the key depicts it as a virtue of his secret sin. Similarly, for the servant of Governor Bellingham, it is a symbol of Hester's upper-class and authoritarian states.

Conclusion

In a nutshell, the letter 'A' initially meant to symbolize shame for Hester owing to her adulterous sin turns out to be a powerful symbol of identity to her. The adulterous meaning of the latter shifts to become able and finally intermediate. The letter 'A", therefore, represents vast implications in standard depending on the context and characters, from a sin manifestation to ability embroidery

Work Cited

Hawthorne, Nathaniel. "The Scarlet Letter." Vintage Classics.Aug.2014,https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/77121/the-scarlet-letter-by-nathanielHawthorne/