How Does Nathaniel Hawthorne Use Symbols In The Scarlet Letter

In Nathaniel Hawthorne’s novel The Scarlet Letter, many concepts and ideas are represented and shown by using symbols. Hawthorne’s concrete symbols used to epitomize abstract ideas change meaning as characters, notably the main character Hester Prynne, grow and change. With its connotation changing from negative to positive, the symbol of the scarlet letter “A” represents Hester as adulterous, angelic, and able.
Hester Prynne wears a scarlet letter A on her chest as a symbol to represent that she has committed adultery. In the beginning, the letter is a means of reminding the town of Prynne’s sin, and therefore, negatively affects how society views her. Adorning the letter A is something that Prynne, originally, is meant to be ashamed of. The beautifully embroidered A’s intent is to humiliate her and enable her sin to haunt her for the rest of her life, “‘Ah, but,’ interposed, more softly, a young wife, holding a child by the hand, ‘let her cover the mark as she will, the pang of it will be always in her heart’” (63). However, after years pass and Prynne continues to wear her letter, it starts represent new meanings other than adulterer.
The scarlet letter begins to take on a new meaning when Pearl, Prynne’s daughter resulting from adultery, is
Given her past, Prynne’s genuinely good character is depicted through her kindness toward everyone, especially Reverend Dimmesdale, who did less than his duty as Pearl’s father because both Prynne and Dimmesdale wanted to save his reputation as a religious leader. The scarlet letter gains a new positive meaning, “But did your reverence hear of the portent that was seen last night? A great red letter in the sky—the letter A, which we interpret to stand for Angel” (193). The once-shameful scarlet letter that stained Hester Prynne’s chest now gives her new respect from the society she lives