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A Scarlet Symbol

There are many examples of symbolism found throughout literature. Some examples are universal and used by many authors in a variety of works; while some are tied to a particular author or a particular work. For example, the use of water as a symbol for God or religion is usually a universal choice, and in "The Scarlet Letter" by Nathaniel Hawthorne, readers can assume that this seems to be true. Of course, Hawthorne frequently uses symbols in his works. "The way in which Hawthorne focuses on a particular object or image invites careful analysis." (Coale) Nathaniel Hawthorne is known for his use of objects and even people as symbols throughout this novel.

The first chapter takes readers to the prison-door, as noted in the chapter title. Hawthorne gives the door life when he states, "Like all that pertains to crime, it seemed never to have known a youthful era." (Hawthorne 45) This iron and wood door has served as a symbol to the community of the fate of those inside. Weather quickly stripped the materials of the original appearance and now it seems to slowly decay. The cemetery located on the same ground as the prison is not so much a symbol as it is a foreboding presence. (45)

Located just outside the prison door is a sense of color in this first chapter, a wild rose-bush. This bush serves as a symbol of hope. It gives hope to the prisoner as he enters the door as it is the last bit of beauty that he sees, and hope to the condemned criminal that exits "in token that the deep heart of Nature could pity and be kind to him."(46) The bush existed through history. The question posed in the book is whether it remained out of luck in the wilderness or because it was supernaturally "created" by the footsteps of Ann Hutchinson, a saint. "It may serve to symbolize some sweet moral blossom or relieve the darkening close of a tale of human frailty and sorrow."(46) Whatever the case, this is one of the times that Hawthorne states outright that the rose-bush is symbolic. This symbol could have been used more throughout the novel. It is used again, briefly, when Hester and Pearl visit the Governor's house; but it could have been even more powerful if used at more places in the novel.

As discussed in the first paragraph, Hawthorne uses water in his novel. Going along with the assumption that water means God, one can assume a lot by Hester's choice to live in a house "looking across a basin of the sea." (73) Does Hester, consciously or subconsciously, want

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