The Scarlet Letter

1. The Scarlet Letter Themes and Symbols

2. THEMES: The Scarlet Letter • Literary themes are the insight an author presents to the reader about life or human nature. • Broader themes • Good v. Evil • Psychological effects of sin • Individuals in relationship to Puritan community • Hypocrisy • Revenge

3. SYMBOLS: The Scarlet Letter • The scarlet letter “A” • Symbolizes the function of the human will as the critical element in the contest between the dark of the devil’s domain and the sunshine of God’s virtue. • Its human incarnation is Pearl, Hester’s daughter.

4. Symbolism: The Scarlet Letter • A = adultery • But is the issue really adultery? Hester did not knowingly cheat on her husband, whom she thought was dead. • The bigger issue addressed is the effects of sin. • The sin, committed before the story begins, involves four central characters and leads to further sins. • The novel raises questions: • What secrets are hidden in the human heart? • Who, really, is righteous, and who is a sinner?

5. The puritans: Key context for The Scarlet Letter • The scarlet letter that Hester wears over her bosom is as important for the community as it is for the other central characters. • The community is measured by the letter as much as the principle characters. • First, when humankind tries to evade its sinful legacy by constructing social institutions that “outlaw” sin, the results are usually disastrous. • Our fascination with the sins of others predisposes us to a moralistic outlook on society, as opposed to a moral outlook regarding our individual attitudes and actions: the result is arrogance and hypocrisy.

6. The puritans; Key context for The Scarlet Letter • Hawthorne infers that in their religious zeal, this community tries to legislate morality and eliminate the need for human will. • Hester, first by her sin, and then by the depth of her character, demonstrates the importance of the individual’s will as a key element in virtue. • Hester proves that free will and choice is the one – and perhaps, the critical element – in living the virtuous life.

7. SYMBOLS: The Scarlet Letter • When these fundamentals are put together, the tale is clear: • Hester, through an effort of the will, manages to love (as defined by the Christian ideal) even though that love is not returned by society.

8. THEMES: The scarlet letter • In The Scarlet Letter, Hawthorne tries to make us see that: • Guilt can destroy a person, body, and soul. • The punishment imposed on us by others may not be as destructive as the guilt we experience.

9. THEMES: The scarlet letter • True repentance must come from within. • Revenge destroys both the victim and the seeker. • Even well-intended secrets and deceptions can lead to destruction. • We must have the courage to be true to who we are. • It is by recognizing and dealing with our weaknesses that make us stronger.

10. THEMES: The scarlet letter • The choices we make determine who we become. • Within each person exists the capacity for both good and evil. • People must accept responsibility for their actions or suffer the consequences.