The Scarlett Letter :: essays research papers

Symbolism at its best is limitless in conveying a feeling, mood, or atmoshphere that words alone abide not define. It can trigger emotion, persuade the reader to question everyaffair they know indeed far, or inflict thoughts that, in the most twisted sense of the story, would see barely justified. Symboloism reaches out to the reader in numerous ways, but no reckon what the effect, its almost always starts as something subconscious. In Nathanial Hawthorns novel, The Scarlet Letter, in that respect is an immense ammount of symbolism the structure and flow of progression are some(prenominal) held back by this element. The subtle way Hawthorn uses this is incredible he takes us to such a place where everything and everyone is suspect and subject to essential examination, as things are not always what they seem. Other times, however, they are in fact exactly what they seem usually besides little too late. By the time the truth is laid outright, the truth had already been cogniz e symbolism is subconscious. At times when there is no truth to be uncovered, it is the world created by this world of various entities, in a matter of symbol, that lies dormant in the back of the readers head. Being fully and inescapably certified though, from a place deep inside, of the uncertanties and illusions that are not being focus on, instead only hinted at. The minds eye is where symbolism wraps its ugly tentacles of doubt and discretion, whether agnize by the reader or not. The Scarlet Letter, demonstrates this characteristic impecibly. The scaffold where Hester stands in front of the public is symbolic of penitence and Gods judgement. Dimmesdale on the other hand, can not bring himself to stand on the platform and confess his sins, because of its comparability to judgement day. The first time he brings himself to stand upon the scaffold, seeking relief pitcher from his secret sin is under the cover of night, as if he could cross his sin from the people, or even God. In the end Dimmesdale does stand on the scaffold in the light of day to public confess his sins. This took courage, as the platform represented weakness in the eyes of God. Across from the prison house Hester was sentenced to there is a rose bush the single beautiful thing in a world of sin and shame. In the book when astragal was asked where she came from, she states that she was plucked from the rosebush.