THE SCARLET LETTER
Themes and Symbols
THEMES: THE SCARLET LETTER
Literary themes are the insight
an author presents to the reader
about life or human nature.
Broader themes
Good v. Evil
Psychological effects of sin
Individuals in relationship to
Puritan community
Hypocrisy
Revenge
SYMBOLS: THE SCARLET LETTER
The scarlet letter “A”
Symbolizes the function of the
human will as the critical
element in the contest between
the dark of the devil’s domain
and the sunshine of God’s
virtue.
Its human incarnation is Pearl,
Hester’s daughter.
SYMBOLISM: THE SCARLET
LETTER
A = adultery
But is the issue really adultery? Hester did not knowingly
cheat on her husband, whom she thought was dead.
The bigger issue addressed is the effects of sin.
The sin, committed before the story begins, involves four
central characters and leads to further sins.
The novel raises questions:
What secrets are hidden in the human heart?
Who, really, is righteous, and who is a sinner?
THE PURITANS: KEY CONTEXT
FOR THE SCARLET LETTER
The scarlet letter that Hester wears over her bosom is as important
for the community as it is for the other central characters.
The community is measured by the letter as much as the principle
characters.
First, when humankind tries to evade its sinful legacy by
constructing social institutions that “outlaw” sin, the results are
usually disastrous.
Our fascination with the sins of others predisposes us to a
moralistic outlook on society, as opposed to a moral outlook
regarding our individual attitudes and actions: the result is
arrogance and hypocrisy.
THE PURITANS; KEY CONTEXT
FOR THE SCARLET LETTER
Hawthorne infers that in their religious zeal, this
community tries to legislate morality and
eliminate the need for human will.
Hester, first by her sin, and then by the depth of
her character, demonstrates the importance of
the individual’s will as a key element in virtue.
Hester proves that free will and choice is the one
– and perhaps, the critical element – in living the
virtuous life.
SYMBOLS: THE SCARLET LETTER
When these fundamentals
are put together, the tale is
clear:
Hester, through an effort
of the will, manages to
love (as defined by the
Christian ideal) even
though that love is not
returned by society.
THEMES: THE SCARLET LETTER
In The Scarlet Letter,
Hawthorne tries to make
us see that:
Guilt can destroy a person,
body, and soul.
The punishment imposed
on us by others may not
be as destructive as the
guilt we experience.
THEMES: THE SCARLET LETTER
True repentance must come from
within.
Revenge destroys both the victim
and the seeker.
Even well-intended secrets and
deceptions can lead to destruction.
We must have the courage to be true
to who we are.
It is by recognizing and dealing with
our weaknesses that make us
stronger.
THEMES: THE SCARLET LETTER
The choices we make
determine who we become.
Within each person exists
the capacity for both good
and evil.
People must accept
responsibility for their
actions or suffer the
consequences.