Scarlet Letter Symbolism Essay

In Nathaniel Hawthorne’s book, The Scarlet Letter, symbols are used throughout to help the reader visualize what life must have been like for the characters. In particular, the use of witchcraft, The Black Man, spells and evil are used to illustrate the not so pretty side of the Puritan way of life. Through these menacing symbols, shadows are cast on the simple, morally pure lifestyle of the Puritan society. This is also brought to light through the characters who were suspected to be evil because they did not live up to the standards that were expected of them. Pearl, the daughter of Hester, in The

Scarlet Letter, often was a victim of accusations because she did not fit the mold the

Puritans believed to be righteous. In chapter twelve of the novel it says of Pearl, “There

As the consequences Pearl faces because of her mother’s sin are examined, a comparison can be made to a modern day instance where society judges and condemns many due to the actions of a few.

Growing up Puritan came with many guidelines on what it meant to be a morally just person. They believed that members of the community should lead a very simple, modest, austere lifestyle (Clayton, 2009). Through the use of symbols that have a

Scott 2 negative connotation, such as witchcraft, evil, The Black Man, and spell, readers see that lives were not always lived strictly by the Puritan rules. The consequences of immorality, such as adultery, which is what is addressed following the birth of Pearl, are made a public display. This display drew in crowds of people who openly judged the sin of the wrongdoer. This is one example of the way the Puritans punished those who were not living up to their moral standards of perfection. The punishment does not end when Hester steps off the scaffold. Not only does Hester have to live with continued judgement, but Pearl, her daughter does as well. This community accountability might mean that moral judgments against us on the part of other people may carry