Symbols
The Scarlet Letter A-
From the start of the story, Hester Prynne wears the scarlet letter upon her bosom. The scarlet letter "A" symbolizes Hester's sin of committing adultery and later comes to represent her identity. Hawthorne uses fire, burning diction to describe the "A". Hawthorne writes, "When strangers looked curiously at the scarlet letter, they branded it afresh into Hester's soul; so that oftentimes, she could scarcely refrain, yet always did refrain, from covering the symbol with her hand" (79). The word "burned" develops the idea that the letter "A" has been sealed to her soul and is now part of her. She does not cover up the symbol because it is who she is, and she can not hide the fact that she committed adultery. The scarlet letter also stands out because of its color and appearance of glowing in the dark. This suggests that it is always visible and will never go away. The letter "A" represents her sin as well as her identity that lives forever with her.
The Name of Pearl-
Pearl's life is not easy because of the constant ridicule from the society and from her mother's past sin. Hawthorne purposefully names Hester's baby Pearl not only to describe the rarity of her personality, but also Hester's sin. Hawthorne writes, "It [Pearl] was the scarlet letter in another form; the scarlet letter endowed with life" (94). Hester has Pearl follow her everywhere and never leaves the house without her, just like the scarlet letter that Hester wears. Pearl is the living sin to not only remind Hester, but also Dimmsdale of his mistake. Pearl is one of a kind, just like a pearl in an oyster. Hawthorne writes, "There was an absolute circle of radiance around her, on the darksome cottage floor" (83). The denotation of a pearl is a beautiful, glorious gem that comes from a nasty black clam. The clam acts as the sin that Hester commits and Pearl is the product of this nasty clam. Pearl symbolizes the living sin of Hester as well as a rare being and product from a dirty situation.
The Forest-
Sin, specifically that in the form of adultery, is the basis of The Scarlet Letter and the themes and symbols of it. Sin is represented in Hester, Pearl, the gestures of Dimmesdale, the scarlet letter and the forest. As the forest during the Puritan times was associated with the devil, and the devil was, and still is, associated with sin, the forest is symoblic of sin. Hawthorne often describes Pearl as being covered by the gloom or shadow of the forest. Hawthorne describes, "Pearl resembled the brook, inasmuch as the current of her life gushed from a well-spring as mysterious, and had flowed through scenes shadowed heavily with gloom" (175). Pearl is the living sin of Hester and is always associated or "covered" by this sin. Thus, through Hawthorne's description of Pearl flowing "through scenes shadowed heavily with gloom" from the forest, he conveys the idea that Pearl is always shadowed with sin because the gloom of the forest is synonymous with sin. This idea of the forest representing sin and the association Hawthorne makes between the gloom of the forest and Pearl contributes to the higher purpose that Pearl is always shadowed by the sin of her mom and often represents the sin her mom committed, even though she is simply the result of it.
Tha Hand Over His Heart-
Throughout The Scarlet Letter, Dimmesdale repeatedly puts his hand over his heart which indicates and symbolizes a secret, a metaphoric scarlet letter on his own chest. This gesture is seen in the very beginning of The Scarlet Letter, when Hester stands on the scaffold in front of all the people. Hawthorne describes, " 'she [Hester] will not speak!' murmured Mr. Dimmesdale, who, leaning over the balcony, with his hand upon his heart, had awaited the results of his appeal. He now drew back, with a long respiration" (63). Through Dimmesdale's repeated gesture, Hawthorne is telling the reader from the start that Dimmesdale is the father of Pearl and that he commited adultery. Hawthorne specifically indicates that the gesture of putting ones hand over ones own heart is indicative of covering up a secret, or more specifically the scarlet letter, when he describes, "The eyes of the wrinkled scholar glowed so intensley upon her [Hester], that Hester Prynne clasped her hands over her heart dreading lest he should read the secret there at once" (70). Hester puts her hand over her heart directly wanting to cover up her secret. Hawthorne even directly relates Dimmesdale putting his hand over his heart to Hester. Hawthorne writes, " 'Dost though know, child, wherefore they mother wears this letter?'
'Truly do I!' answered Pearl, looking brightly into her mother's face. 'It is for the same reason that the minister keeps his hand over over his heart' " (167). By directly stating this Hawthorne is drawing the connection between Dimmesdale, Hester and the sin they commited. Thus, through Dimmesdale constantly putting his hand over his heart, it is clear that he is covering up the secret of his sin and has a scarlet letter of his own.
'Truly do I!' answered Pearl, looking brightly into her mother's face. 'It is for the same reason that the minister keeps his hand over over his heart' " (167). By directly stating this Hawthorne is drawing the connection between Dimmesdale, Hester and the sin they commited. Thus, through Dimmesdale constantly putting his hand over his heart, it is clear that he is covering up the secret of his sin and has a scarlet letter of his own.