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The scarlet letter (themes & symbols)

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"The Scarlet letter" by "Nathaniel Hawthorne's" symbols and themes, made and presented by my fellow Rania... i hope this will be helpful.

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THE SCARLET LETTER SYMBOLS & THEMES
Major Themes 1) Sin 2) Women and femininity 3) Isolation 4) Fate and Free will 5) Memories vs The Present
Themes In SCARLET LETTER • 1) Sin: Associated with breaking of law. A hierarchy of sins Chillingworth’s pursuit of revenge is deemed as “worse” than the passion of Hester Prynne and Dimmesdale to commit Adultery.
2) Women and Femininity • In Puritan era, women were expected to be subordinate to their male counterparts. E.g Hester was willing to take on her own shame while protecting the man she loves . She keeps his secret faithfully for 7 years
3) Isolation Major theme • E.g Hester Prynne lives in isolation for years and years, even cast out from Puritan society for having a child out of wedlock. Her isolation leads her to see her society in a new light and allows her to think out of this box.
4) Fate and Free will • Puritan’s believed in Divine Providence Character in this novel constantly struggle b/w letting fate run its course and choosing a path for themselves.
5) Memories vs the present Time was passing but memories of past were always there . Hester learn to forgive herself for adultery but society continues to scold her for it. Pearl is enough of a reminder of the wild choices in her past. As Pearl grows up, Hester continuous to live in the present rather than in the past.
1. Scarlet A  Primarily represents Adultery. It radiates other meanings as Hester becomes a transformed person, when she becomes Ambassador of Mercy; now it becomes Able and Angel. It represents the connection between Hester, Dimmesdale & Pearl.
Scarlet A Hester DIMMESDALE Pearl
2. Pearl • Pearl represents two perspectives Positive & Negative Positively Innocence & Solace negatively Sin & Punishment
3. The color Scarlet The scarlet color is associated with 1) Evil 2) Punishment 3) Immorality 4) prostitution 5) adultery 6) sin
4. Brook in the Forest • Brook in the forest, passing through tall, gloomy trees, is a symbol of life in puritan society. • Trees represents puritan and brook “divides” Hester and Pearl as life does.
Other Symbols • Chillingworth is consistently a symbol of cold reason and intellect unencumbered by human compassion. Dimmesdale is a symbol of hypocrisy and self-centered ; he knows what is right but has not the courage to make himself do the public act.
Presented by: Rania Habib ’01’

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The scarlet letter (themes & symbols)

  • 1. THE SCARLET LETTER SYMBOLS & THEMES
  • 2. Major Themes 1) Sin 2) Women and femininity 3) Isolation 4) Fate and Free will 5) Memories vs The Present
  • 3. Themes In SCARLET LETTER • 1) Sin: Associated with breaking of law. A hierarchy of sins Chillingworth’s pursuit of revenge is deemed as “worse” than the passion of Hester Prynne and Dimmesdale to commit Adultery.
  • 4. 2) Women and Femininity • In Puritan era, women were expected to be subordinate to their male counterparts. E.g Hester was willing to take on her own shame while protecting the man she loves . She keeps his secret faithfully for 7 years
  • 5. 3) Isolation Major theme • E.g Hester Prynne lives in isolation for years and years, even cast out from Puritan society for having a child out of wedlock. Her isolation leads her to see her society in a new light and allows her to think out of this box.
  • 6. 4) Fate and Free will • Puritan’s believed in Divine Providence Character in this novel constantly struggle b/w letting fate run its course and choosing a path for themselves.
  • 7. 5) Memories vs the present Time was passing but memories of past were always there . Hester learn to forgive herself for adultery but society continues to scold her for it. Pearl is enough of a reminder of the wild choices in her past. As Pearl grows up, Hester continuous to live in the present rather than in the past.
  • 8. 1. Scarlet A  Primarily represents Adultery. It radiates other meanings as Hester becomes a transformed person, when she becomes Ambassador of Mercy; now it becomes Able and Angel. It represents the connection between Hester, Dimmesdale & Pearl.
  • 9. Scarlet A Hester DIMMESDALE Pearl
  • 10. 2. Pearl • Pearl represents two perspectives Positive & Negative Positively Innocence & Solace negatively Sin & Punishment
  • 11. 3. The color Scarlet The scarlet color is associated with 1) Evil 2) Punishment 3) Immorality 4) prostitution 5) adultery 6) sin
  • 12. 4. Brook in the Forest • Brook in the forest, passing through tall, gloomy trees, is a symbol of life in puritan society. • Trees represents puritan and brook “divides” Hester and Pearl as life does.
  • 13. Other Symbols • Chillingworth is consistently a symbol of cold reason and intellect unencumbered by human compassion. Dimmesdale is a symbol of hypocrisy and self-centered ; he knows what is right but has not the courage to make himself do the public act.
  • 14. Presented by: Rania Habib ’01’