Scarlet Letter, Dynamic Meaning of the Scarlet Letter
The Symbolic meaning of the letter “A”
In Nathaniel Hawthorne's novel, The Scarlet Letter, the meaning of the letter "A" stands for “adulterer”, but the symbolic meaning of the “A” changes throughout the book. This change is significant as it indicates the personal growth of the characters as well as the enlightenment of the townspeople. When the novel begins, the letter "A" is a symbol of sin. In the puritan village Hester resides in, a person that commits adultery is to be condemned to death, and it is one of the worst crimes that can be committed. Hester escapes death because her accusers do not know if her husband is still alive. As the story progresses, the “A” slowly transforms into a symbol of Hester’s strength and ability. By the end of the novel, the letter “A” has undergone a complete metamorphosis and represents the respect that Hester has for herself.
The letter "A," worn on Hester's bodice, is for adulterers to wear in shame. "Here, she said to herself, had been the scene of her guilt, and here should be the scene of her earthly punishment . . ." (51) Hester is ashamed of her sin, but she chooses not to show it. She committed this sin in the heat of passion, and fully admits it because, though she is ashamed. She also received her greatest treasure, her daughter Pearl.
The second meaning that the letter "A" took was "able.” The townspeople who once condemned her now believed her scarlet "A" to stand for her ability to create beautiful needlework and for her unselfish assistance to the poor and sick. "The letter was the symbol of her calling. Such helpfulness was found in her- so much power to do and power to sympathize- that many people refused to interpret the scarlet 'A' by its original signification.” (78) At this point, many of the townspeople realized what an angel-like character that Hester possessed. "Do you see that woman with the embroidered badge? It is our Hester- the town's own Hester- who is so kind to the poor, so helpful to the sick, so comforting to the afflicted!” (55) Hester overcame the shame of her sin through the purity and goodness of her soul. Unselfishly offering her time and love to those who needed her most proved that she was not worthy of the fate which had been dealt to her.
The final face of the letter "A" was a symbol of Hester's respect for herself, and for her life. After returning to England, and helping Pearl to gain a better life, Hester returned to don the badge, which she now felt, was a part of her. She could have lived a better life without the “A” and begin a new life in England, but it was more comfortable for her to return to America. The Puritan settlement was her home and it was where the most important events in her life had occurred. "But there was a more real life for Hester Prynne here in New England than in the unknown region where Pearl had found a home. Here had been her sin; here, her sorrow; and here was yet to be her penitence.” (104) Hester was in no way legally or religiously bound to wear the badge, but felt pride in her wearing it, so she did.
The three changes in The Scarlet Letter were significant, and they showed her sin, her ability, and her life. The letter “A” had a dynamic meaning other than adulterer based on the way Hester decided to make everything positive out of her life instead of dwelling on her mistakes and by being honest with herself.
In Nathaniel Hawthorne's novel, The Scarlet Letter, the meaning of the letter "A" stands for “adulterer”, but the symbolic meaning of the “A” changes throughout the book. This change is significant as it indicates the personal growth of the characters as well as the enlightenment of the townspeople. When the novel begins, the letter "A" is a symbol of sin. In the puritan village Hester resides in, a person that commits adultery is to be condemned to death, and it is one of the worst crimes that can be committed. Hester escapes death because her accusers do not know if her husband is still alive. As the story progresses, the “A” slowly transforms into a symbol of Hester’s strength and ability. By the end of the novel, the letter “A” has undergone a complete metamorphosis and represents the respect that Hester has for herself.
The letter "A," worn on Hester's bodice, is for adulterers to wear in shame. "Here, she said to herself, had been the scene of her guilt, and here should be the scene of her earthly punishment . . ." (51) Hester is ashamed of her sin, but she chooses not to show it. She committed this sin in the heat of passion, and fully admits it because, though she is ashamed. She also received her greatest treasure, her daughter Pearl.
The second meaning that the letter "A" took was "able.” The townspeople who once condemned her now believed her scarlet "A" to stand for her ability to create beautiful needlework and for her unselfish assistance to the poor and sick. "The letter was the symbol of her calling. Such helpfulness was found in her- so much power to do and power to sympathize- that many people refused to interpret the scarlet 'A' by its original signification.” (78) At this point, many of the townspeople realized what an angel-like character that Hester possessed. "Do you see that woman with the embroidered badge? It is our Hester- the town's own Hester- who is so kind to the poor, so helpful to the sick, so comforting to the afflicted!” (55) Hester overcame the shame of her sin through the purity and goodness of her soul. Unselfishly offering her time and love to those who needed her most proved that she was not worthy of the fate which had been dealt to her.
The final face of the letter "A" was a symbol of Hester's respect for herself, and for her life. After returning to England, and helping Pearl to gain a better life, Hester returned to don the badge, which she now felt, was a part of her. She could have lived a better life without the “A” and begin a new life in England, but it was more comfortable for her to return to America. The Puritan settlement was her home and it was where the most important events in her life had occurred. "But there was a more real life for Hester Prynne here in New England than in the unknown region where Pearl had found a home. Here had been her sin; here, her sorrow; and here was yet to be her penitence.” (104) Hester was in no way legally or religiously bound to wear the badge, but felt pride in her wearing it, so she did.
The three changes in The Scarlet Letter were significant, and they showed her sin, her ability, and her life. The letter “A” had a dynamic meaning other than adulterer based on the way Hester decided to make everything positive out of her life instead of dwelling on her mistakes and by being honest with herself.