Symbols and Symbolism in Nathaniel Hawthornes The Scarlet Letter Essa

Symbolism   in The Scarlet Letter Nathaniel Hawthorne isn't noted for perfecting any famous literary style, for writing multiple best sellers, or even for contributing largely to classic American literature.   His only real claim to fame is The Scarlet Letter: a novel that was originally only meant to be yet another Hawthorne short story.   Because of this, it actually possesses many short story characteristics.   "It is simpler and more complete than his other novels." (James 285)   It also has an excellent plot backed by an expert use of literary techniques.   One technique Hawthorne used was borrowed solely from drama: the use of the aside.   Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale delivers an aside in the midst of the action in chapter three, incorporating the reader into his personal thoughts and feelings directly.   Many other things in The Scarlet Letter weren't so direct, though.   Typically, Hawthorne left the reader implying events by being vague and not answering posed questions.   An example of this technique is through the women's discussion about Hester Prynne in chapter one.   But, among all of his techniques used in The Scarlet Letter, Hawthorne truly mastered only one.   He refined the art of symbolism.   Symbolism is found throughout all of The Scarlet Letter.   Nearly every person or object is symbolic of some other thing or idea.   The scarlet letter, the black glove Dimmesdale leaves on the scaffold, and the scaffold itself all have deeper significance.   This makes the theme of The Scarlet Letter even more ever-present.   It aids in illustrating the true intolerance and hypocrisy of Puritan customs. At first reading, one might safely say that the scarlet letter means "Adulteress."   Although this is partially correct, it lacks in-... ...tely mastered. Works Cited Bruckner, Sally.   "The Scarlet Letter."   Masterplots.   Vol. 10 Ed. Frank N. Magill. Pasadena, California: Salem, Press, 1996.   5849-51. Feidelson, Jr., Charles.   "Hawthorne as Symbolist."   Hawthorne.   Ed. A.N. Kaul. Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey:   Prentice-Hall, Inc., 1996.   64-71. James, Henry.   "Densely Dark, with a Spot of Vivid Color."   The Scarlet Letter.   Ed. Norton Critical.   1978.   287-91. Van Doren, Mark.   "The Scarlet Letter."   Hawthorne.   Ed. A.N. Kaul.   Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey: Prentice-Hall, Inc., 1966.   129-40. Winters, Yvor.   "Maule's Curse, or Hawthorne and the Problem of Allegory."   Hawthorne. Ed. A.N. Kaul.   Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey: Prentice-Hall, Inc., 1966. 11-24. Ziff, Larzer.   "The Ethical Dimension of 'The Custom House.'"   Hawthorne.   Ed. A.N. Kaul.   Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey: P2 Symbols and Symbolism in Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter Essa Symbolism   in The Scarlet Letter Nathaniel Hawthorne isn't noted for perfecting any famous literary style, for writing multiple best sellers, or even for contributing largely to classic American literature.   His only real claim to fame is The Scarlet Letter: a novel that was originally only meant to be yet another Hawthorne short story.   Because of this, it actually possesses many short story characteristics.   "It is simpler and more complete than his other novels." (James 285)   It also has an excellent plot backed by an expert use of literary techniques.   One technique Hawthorne used was borrowed solely from drama: the use of the aside.   Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale delivers an aside in the midst of the action in chapter three, incorporating the reader into his personal thoughts and feelings directly.   Many other things in The Scarlet Letter weren't so direct, though.   Typically, Hawthorne left the reader implying events by being vague and not answering posed questions.   An example of this technique is through the women's discussion about Hester Prynne in chapter one.   But, among all of his techniques used in The Scarlet Letter, Hawthorne truly mastered only one.   He refined the art of symbolism.   Symbolism is found throughout all of The Scarlet Letter.   Nearly every person or object is symbolic of some other thing or idea.   The scarlet letter, the black glove Dimmesdale leaves on the scaffold, and the scaffold itself all have deeper significance.   This makes the theme of The Scarlet Letter even more ever-present.   It aids in illustrating the true intolerance and hypocrisy of Puritan customs. At first reading, one might safely say that the scarlet letter means "Adulteress."   Although this is partially correct, it lacks in-... ...tely mastered. Works Cited Bruckner, Sally.   "The Scarlet Letter."   Masterplots.   Vol. 10 Ed. Frank N. Magill. Pasadena, California: Salem, Press, 1996.   5849-51. Feidelson, Jr., Charles.   "Hawthorne as Symbolist."   Hawthorne.   Ed. A.N. Kaul. Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey:   Prentice-Hall, Inc., 1996.   64-71. James, Henry.   "Densely Dark, with a Spot of Vivid Color."   The Scarlet Letter.   Ed. Norton Critical.   1978.   287-91. Van Doren, Mark.   "The Scarlet Letter."   Hawthorne.   Ed. A.N. Kaul.   Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey: Prentice-Hall, Inc., 1966.   129-40. Winters, Yvor.   "Maule's Curse, or Hawthorne and the Problem of Allegory."   Hawthorne. Ed. A.N. Kaul.   Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey: Prentice-Hall, Inc., 1966. 11-24. Ziff, Larzer.   "The Ethical Dimension of 'The Custom House.'"   Hawthorne.   Ed. A.N. Kaul.   Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey: P2