"The Scarlet Letter"

Analytical Essay # 5844

English > Analysis
Literature > American

A look at the function of symbolism in Nathaniel Hawthorne's novel, "The Scarlet Letter".

1,830 words () | 0 sources | MLA | 2001 United States

Paper Summary:

This paper highlights and interprets the major symbols in the book such as the characters' names, the characters' functions, the setting, the rosebush, the scaffold, color and the scarlet letter. The paper also discusses the dichotomy of the town/forest and day/night in the novel and connects the different symbols to major aspects of the story, such as plot, character and theme.

From the Paper:

"In the novel, characters? names are very significant because they are meaningful and give the reader an idea of the characters? personalities. One important character is Reverend Dimmesdale, whose name suggests that he is a dim man. This is true of him. He does not see things clearly and does not understand things the way he should. Throughout the book he is said to be in a "maze" (167), which shows that he is always in a state of confusion. The community, also, sees him dimly. They do not see him for who he really is. Dimmesdale told them he was the sinner but the community "heard it all, and did but reverence him the more" (119). Instead of starting up a riot as Dimmesdale expected, they looked up to him as a hero."