Symbolism In Nathaniel Hawthorne's Scarlet Letter

The Scarlet Letter written by Nathaniel Hawthorne, is easily considered a classic, simply because of all the symbolism and connections made throughout the novel. The alluring part of theses symbolisms and connections is they can be taking in many different ways and still be considered correct.One of the many reasons Nathaniel Hawthorne has disguished himself as a well known author through the ages. Arguably one of the best things Hawthorne did was simply take the letter “A”, which you may know as the first letter of the alphabet, and give it numerous symbolic interpretations. This exquisite “A” has three meanings that standout the most to the readers, adultery, able and acceptance.
“Good Sir, in some two years, or less, that the woman has
been a dweller here in Boston, no tidings have come of this learned gentleman, Master Prynne; and his young wife, look you, being left to her own misguidance—” (Hawthorne 58). This quote leads the reader right into the main interpretation of the letter “A”, which would be adultery. The quote is explaining how Hester, the one who wears the Scarlet A, committed adultery, at the time with an unknown man. Hester punishment is to wear the beautiful; letter on her chest for as long as she lived in the town that was under Puritan law.Heaster received a very generous punishment since the typical punishment was death. This at first causing some tension among the townspeople. Puritans intentions of this was to embarrass Hester, which it did, it would anyone. When she was asked during the scaffold scene who was her partner in this sin. She said “Never…..And my child must seek a heavenly Father; she shall never know an earthly one!” ( Hawthorne 64). Showing the readers that she is dead set against revealing the father of her child, which only adds more meaning to the letter “A”.
As years past the letter that laid upon Hester’s chest took on a new meaning that was quite different than the one previously stated above.
This new meaning being able, “ The letter was the symbol of her calling. Such helpfulness was found in her—so much power to do, and power to sympathise— that many people refused to interpret the scarlet A by its original signification. They said that it meant Able, so strong was Hester Prynne, with a woman’s strength.” (Hawthorne 146).This is showing that the townspeople now see her as someone who cares for the community and is wised. They no longer see it as a sin, but almost a sign of capability. They saw Hester and thought “wow, it is Hester, a woman who is able to still make a living and support for her child, even after being almost shunned by the community for committing a sin, under the Puritan law .” Hester is doing the best she could in a tough situation, she broke a law and had to take responsibility unlike her partner did. People looked up to her because she was still cordial and caring, even with the scarlet A labeling her everywhere she
went.
The last symbolic interpretation was towards the end of the novel, some would say the phrase “saved the best for last” would be appropriate for this.
“‘Hester Prynne,’ cried he, with a piercing earnestness, ‘in the name of Him, so terrible and so merciful, who gives me grace, at this last moment, to do what—for my own heavy sin and miserable agony—I withheld myself from doing seven years ago, come hither now, and twine thy strength about me! Thy strength, Hester; but let it be guided by the will which God hath granted me! This wretched and wronged old man is opposing it with all his”(Hawthorne 226). The final meaning of the letter, is acceptance, for everyone, the town, Hester but most of all Dimmesdale. See, Dimmesdale was wearing his scarlet A, but in hiding, he blamed Hester most of the time for this sin that was the talk of the Puritan town for years. Now he is taking responsibility for his actions, over seven years later. Dimmesdale ends up confessing that he too committed adultery, and he is Pearl's father.
This exquisite “A” has three meanings that standout the most to the readers, adultery, able and acceptance.Theses three words are pretty much the plot of the entire story. It is almost crazy how a novel can do that with so many different things, but that is what makes classics memorable. The reader has to remember there is still multiple correct interpretations of the letter “A”. The Scarlet Letter and Nathaniel Hawthorne have shown their worth time and time again
and will continue to do so for years to come, they did this simply because of the letter “A”.