“The Scarlet Letter” by Nathaniel Hawthorne is an excellent piece of literature enabling to examine the way symbolism may be applied in order to reveal the most appealing ideas and address the most complicated issues of human life. This romantic work discusses a row of important problems existing within the community of people it speaks about. Generally, such important themes as legalism, guilt, immorality and sin are related in the novel, and even the very title of the novel featuring the word scarlet” or extremely red highlights the ideas of sinful practices described in the novel along with the need to repent.
Speaking about the symbolism of the title of this story, scarlet color is to be addressed. Scarlet is a well-known allusion to sin and guilt which is commonly applied since the days when Hebrew Scriptures were written. There this color was applied with regards to sinful nature of the whole human race; and as this literature piece is the address to the themes of living in the Puritan society which was famous by its piety and devotion to the Holy Scriptures it is no wonder that the author resorts to the use of this symbol. In addition, the symbol of scarlet “A” meaning “adulterer” was connected to the image of the adulterer “Babylon the Great” from the Bible who was wearing the clothing of this scarlet color, and was a fountain of all sorts of sinful adulterous practices.
With regards to the issues that Hawthorne raises through the symbolism of this novel, it should be said that they are a lot. The main of these issues are related to moral values, sinful practices, being religious, seeking for God’s forgiveness, finding a way to cope with a feeling of guilt and pain, etc. Through the symbolism of allusion to scarlet color the author is able to get one’s audience involved into a serious meditation on the themes of morality and sin along with public opinion about these crucial issues.
Discussing the facts which this work reveals about the community it speaks about, it should be stated that Hawthorne as the author of this important work acts as a psychologist and the expert of human hearts with profound knowledge concerning the ruining effects of the feeling of guilt and the desire to revenge. The author seems to invoke the society not to be that strict to people who repent as their feeling of guilt is their biggest “torture stake” which they must face form day to day. Hawthorne describes the severest feeling of bitterness the main heroine has in the following words: ““be it sin or no,” said Hester Prynne bitterly, “I hate the man!”” (Hawthorne 234). This feeling is enough for a punishment; so, Hawthorne appeals to the society with a petition to show mercy for such people as Hester Prynne.
As a final point, “The Scarlet Letter” by Nathaniel Hawthorne can be evaluated as a meaningful piece of literature addressing a row of important social issues including sinful practices, subtraction, feeling of guilt, and repentance. Hawthorne applies the symbol of scarlet “A” meaning “adulterer” which the heroine was wearing as a sign of her sinful past addressing biblical ideas which were common for the Puritan society described in this literature work. Through such symbolism the author is able to get one’s audience involved into a serious meditation on the themes of morality and sin along with public opinion about these crucial issues.
Works Cited
Hawthorne, Nathaniel. The Scarlet Letter, New York: Bantam Classics, 1981. Print.