Colors in The Scarlet Letter Talita Ghazanian

1. Colors in The Scarlet Letter Talita Ghazanian

2. Quotes • "On the breast of her gown, in fine red cloth, surrounded with an elaborate embroidery and fantastic flourishes of gold-thread, appeared the letter A. It was so artistically done, and with so much fertility and gorgeous luxuriance of fancy, that it had all the effect of a last and fitting decoration to the apparel which she wore; and which was of a splendor in accordance with the taste of the age, but greatly beyond what was allowed by the sumptuary regulations of the colony." Chapter 2, pg. 50 • -Imagery • -Beauty contradicts the true meaning of the letter

3. Quotes "But it is not recorded that, in a single instance, her skill was called in aid to embroider the white veil which was to cover the pure blushes of a bride." Chapter 5, pg. 76 - “white veil” represents hiding something -”pure blushes” represents the purity of the bride

4. Quotes "Throughout all, however, there was a trait of passion, a certain depth of hue....The child could not be made amenable to rules....The mother's impassioned state had been the medium through which were transmitted to the unborn infant the rays of its moral life; and, however white and clear originally, they had taken the deep stains of crimson and gold, the fiery lustre, the black shadow, and the untempered light of the intervening substance. Above all, the warfare of Hester's spirit, at that epoch, was perpetuated in Pearl." Chapter 6, pg. 83 • -The colors on Hester are shown through Pearl • -Pearl and the letter are connected

5. Quotes • "Come away, mother! Come away, or yonder old Black Man will catch you! He hath got hold of the minister already. Come away, mother, or he will catch you! But he cannot catch little Pearl!" Chapter 10, pg. 123 • -The Black Man represents death or grief • -Pearl and Black Man are juxtaposing ideas

6. Quotes • "All the light and graceful foliage of her character had been withered up by this red-hot brand, and had long ago fallen away, leaving a bare and harsh outline, which might have been repulsive, had she possessed friends or companions to be repelled by it." Chapter 13, pp. 149-50 • - the letter had an affect of • breaking her yet making her • stronger

7. Quotes • "'But mother, tell me now! Is there such a Black Man? And didst thou ever meet him? And is this his mark?'....'Once in my life I met the Black Man!' said her mother. 'This scarlet letter is his mark!'" Chapter 16, pg. 170 • - Almost everyone is “marked” by the black man • - Black man=sins

8. Quotes • "There played around her mouth, and beamed out of her eyes, a radiant and tender smile, that seemed gushing form the very heart of womanhood. A crimson flush was glowing on her cheek, that had been long so pale." Chapter 18, pg. 185 • - embarresment • - truth being revealed

9. What is Color • Color] is the visual perception property corresponding in humans to the categories called red, yellow, blue, black, etc. Color derives from the spectrum of light (distribution of light energy versus wavelength) interacting in the eye with the spectral sensitivities of the light receptors. Color categories and physical specifications of color are also associated with objects, materials, light sources, etc., based on their physical properties such as light absorption, reflection, or emission spectra.

10. Color Symbolism • In art and anthropology, color symbolism refers to the use of color as a symbol throughout cultures and religions. Color psychology is a field of psychology devoted to analyzing the effect of color on human behavior and feeling, distinct from phototherapy. It is important not to confuse color psychology with color symbolism. • Symbolically • Red= danger • Green=envy Color psychology Yellowand Black=danger Green=balance.

11. Other Interpretations of Colors Colors in Religion: Red:  Symbol of fire and blood; signifies charity Black:  Signifies death Green:  Symbol of nature; signifies hope of eternal life White:  Symbol of light; signifies purity; joy and glory Colors in Heraldry: Red:  Bravery and courage Black:  Grief and sorrow Yellow or Gold:  Honor and loyalty Green:  Youth and hope

12. Red is the color that we pay the most attention to. It is the warmest and most energetic color in the spectrum. In India red is the color of purity (used in wedding outfits). • Blue represents peace, tranquility, calm, stability, harmony, unity, trust, truth, confidence, conservatism, security, cleanliness, order, loyalty, sky, water, cold, technology, and depression. For the Jews, blue symbolizes holiness.In the Middle East blue is a protective color.

13. Black is the absence of light and therefore, of color. • It represents power, sexuality, sophistication, formality, elegance, wealth, mystery, fear, evil, anonymity, unhappiness, depth, style, evil, sadness, remorse, anger, underground, good technical color, mourning and death. • Green, one of most-often cited favorite colors. It represents nature, environment, health, good luck, renewal, youth, vigor, spring, generosity, fertility, jealousy, inexperience, envy, misfortune.

14. White is what we see when all colors come together in perfect balance. • It represents reverence, purity, simplicity, cleanliness, peace, humility, precision, innocence, youth, birth, winter, snow, good, sterility, and marriage. • Yellow represents joy, happiness, optimism, idealism, imagination, hope, sunshine, summer, gold, philosophy, dishonesty, cowardice, betrayal, jealousy, covetousness, deceit, illness, hazard, spirituality and inspiration. The yellow rose is a symbol of friendship, less passionate or threatening than red ones. • In Asia yellow is sacred, and imperial.