Argumentative Symbolism Essay
Essay:
Format:
3-4 pages, typed
Double spaced
Times New Roman font
In-text citations
Basically, MLA format
Works Cited page
Header with name and page number
Nothing in bold, nothing bigger than 12-point font.
Content:
Write about how Nathaniel Hawthorne uses a symbol to reinforce a theme that is
found in The Scarlet Letter. Keep in mind that many of these symbols are
recurring and their significance can change as the story moves on. You must
present your thoughts as an argument.
Example:
“I like the symbol of the rosebush” is not an argument. However, the following
is a good example of an argument: “In The Scarlet Letter, The rosebush works as
a symbol of the good and evil that can be found in society.” You will then go on
in your writing to provide specific examples of the symbol from your reading.
These examples will be used as arguments to support what it is you believe about
the symbol you have chosen.
Your task:
Choose one of the main symbols from the book and write about it in this paper.
Discuss what the symbol is, what it is a symbol of, and how it changes throughout
the novel. Also, discuss how this symbol ties into one of the main themes of the
novel. Use the text of The Scarlet Letter to support your claims. Your essay
should have a works cited page, and you must cite page numbers from the book
for the quotes you use in your argument.
Some sample symbols:
The Letter A
The Forest
Pearl
The Rosebush
The Scaffold
Colors
The Meteor
The Custom House The Brook
Witchcraft/mistress Hibbins/the Black Man
Light/Dark
The Prison
Hester’s Hair
Clothing
Weeds
Mark on Dimmesdale’s Chest