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
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” A Parasitic Worm-Leech The uses of blood-sucking leeches as medical tools are prevalent‚ but a lot of people still detest “leeches” and in The Scarlet Letter‚ Hawthorne used both characteristics of a leech to epitomize Roger Chillingworth‚ the husband of Hester‚ the protagonist. In the story‚ to find the man who gave birth to Hester’s child‚ Chillingworth entered the Puritan town‚ where Hester and Dimmesdale lived in. In the town‚ people considered doctors as “leeches” and Chillingworth lived
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People generally have the same behavioral tendencies‚ despite their location‚ like from a town to a forest someone’s behavior will not change much if at all. Although‚ in The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne‚ they represent polar opposing behavioral systems. The town represents civilization‚ a rule-bound space where everything one does is on display and where transgressions are quickly punished. The forest‚ on the other hand‚ is a space of natural rather than human authority. In the forest‚
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Throughout the novel The Scarlet Letter there are many symbols. One of the biggest symbols of the novel is the scarlet letter A that Hester Prynne is sentenced to wear after she commits adultery. It is a symbol that is sewn onto her clothes for everyone to see. It is a punishment that is meant to humiliate her for the duration of the time that she stays in Puritanical Boston. During the novel‚ the scarlet letter changes and evolves from meaning adultery to meaning ability and even physically changes
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Major Themes Individual vs. Society The Scarlet Letter is a novel that describes the psychological anguish of two principle characters‚ Hester Prynne and Arthur Dimondale. They are both suffering under‚ while attempting to come to terms with‚ their mutual sin of adultery in a strict Puritan society. As critics immediately recognized upon publication of the novel in 1850‚ one of its principal themes involved conflict between the individual and society. Hawthorne represents the stern and threatening
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The Scarlet Letter Before the American Revolution‚ most of the northern colonies were Puritan societies. Puritanism was a more strict and harsh form of Judaism. Nathaniel Hawthorne was the nephew of John Hathorne‚ who was a judge during the Salem Witch Trials. Hawthorne’s famous book‚ The Scarlet Letter‚ was based on a Puritan society in the 1600’s. It is about a woman named Hester Prynne who committed adultery with the town’s priest‚ Arthur Dimmesdale‚ resulting in the birth of their child‚ Pearl
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Nature VS City/Society Addie Johnson Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter depicts the contrast between forest and society. Like other authors in the American Romantic period‚ Hawthorne pays close attention to nature and its importance. The loquacious brook mumbles stories from the past‚ and Pearl plays in the sun. Although many people overlook it‚ the forest is a place of sanctity. While dangerous and frightening to the townspeople‚ it is more compassionate than civilization. Hawthorne illustrates
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The Scarlet Letter Nathaniel Hawthorne Protagonist: The Protagonist in the Scarlet Letter is Hester Prynne. Hester Prynne is a tall elegant‚ beautiful women. She has dark abundant hair and according to Nathaniel Hawthorne deep dark eyes. Hester Prynne could leave people awestruck. She was such a nice‚ kind‚ and generous woman. She was also the greatest seamstress to most. Hester Prynne is the main focus of our story The Scarlet Letter. (65) Antagonist: The antagonist in the story is Dr. Roger Chillingworth
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The Scarlet Letter Analysis Throughout history‚ sinners and misfits have been alienated from society by the people of their community. Examples of people out casting others can be found in every day life from the odd peer at school to an adult who does not share the same opinions or ideas as the majority. In the 17th century‚ Puritans became an important part of American history. They had strict laws and punishments and wanted a government that could enforce public morality. In Nathaniel
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Name: Professor: Bernhard Radloff Subject: ENG 2450 B Date: December 4‚ 2012 Scarlet Letter Review Introduction Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter remains one of the best examples of Puritan literature‚ a novel‚ which points to the inadequacy of the Puritan beliefs and the moral duality of the Puritan culture. This paper reviews the author’s novel from a new‚ conformity vs. individuality angle. The context in which the novel was created is discussed. Hester’s silent challenge against
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