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Gretta Bender
Mrs. Bouch
Honors English 11
8 January 2018
Hidden Symbols in The Scarlet Letter

What is sin? Nathaniel Hawthorne’s “The Scarlet Letter” delves into the nature of sin and

the difference between revealed and hidden sin. For example, the scarlet letter shows the

difference between revealed and hidden sin between Dimmesdale and Hester. The reactions

toward the scarlet letter also symbolize the reaction toward the sin itself. Throughout the

narrative, the scarlet letter is literally a letter which Hester must wear to show that she has

sinned. As with the majority of objects and personas in this tale, the scarlet letter symbolizes

concepts with deeper meaning. The scarlet letter first symbolizes Hester’s humiliation, and then

eventually represents the respect owed to her. It is included in order to establish a way to relate

to Hester, and to ultimately lend hope to the reader.

The scarlet letter primarily symbolizes the shame and humiliation which ensue when sin

is committed. First, Hester is constantly ridiculed for her scarlet letter. For example, the Puritan

women seem to be harsh and insensitive to Hester and her plight, and the Puritan children harass

both Pearl and Hester. Even the poor of the society “often reviled the hand that was stretched

forth to succor them” (Hawthorne 58). The Puritan society is ruthless toward Hester due to the

nature of her revealed sin. Next, Hester becomes attached to the scarlet letter because she

believes that the humiliation it causes is part of the penance for her sin. As such, Hester devotes

her work and her social isolation to the cause of her penance and then refuses to remove the

scarlet letter, believing that it will come off naturally when her penance is complete. Finally,

Dimmesdale places a scarlet letter upon himself to symbolize the shame of his sin. The letter

actually seems to help Dimmesdale cope with hiding his sin, oddly enough. Overall, the scarlet
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letter symbolizes both the shame and humiliation of sin, especially in the beginning pages of this

tale.

As the narrative progresses, the scarlet letter begins to symbolize respect. First, the

women in this Puritan society begin to believe that “A” stands for “Able” and start to respect

Hester. The Puritan women then refuse to view Hester as a sinner and instead see her as a strong

woman who overcomes her sin. Next, Hester becomes accepted by the community and is able to

assist the needy. She is able to reach out and “was but the softer pillow for the head that needed

one” (111). Hester ordains herself as the “Sister of Mercy” to help those in need. Eventually,

Hester begins to develop self-respect and forgives herself of her sin. She stops torturing herself

and throws herself into her work and the helping of others.

The scarlet letter is employed in this story with the dual purpose of symbolizing both the

inevitability of sin amongst humanity and the ultimate hope for redemption. The inclusion of the

scarlet letter lends to the reader a sense of the commonality of sin but also of hope; Hester is able

to turn her life around despite the severity of her sin. Hester’s redemption offers hope to readers

because it shows that God is merciful to sinners. In the end, the scarlet letter is utilized to

display the difference between revealed and hidden sin. For example, Hester’s scarlet letter is

completely exposed, revealing her sin publicly. Dimmesdale, however, hides his scarlet letter

and thus hides his sin, never attaining the respect which Hester earns, both from within herself

and from others. This symbolization is not lost on the reader and shows the true honor

associated with taking responsibility for one’s actions.

In the end analysis, the scarlet letter symbolizes sin and the reactions toward sin. At first,

people ridicule and mock Hester and the scarlet letter and make her feel humiliated. As the plot
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thickens, the people start to realize that the scarlet letter has shaped Hester into a better version

of herself and start to respect the symbol. Even Hester becomes accepting of the scarlet letter as

part of herself and does not let it negatively impact her life. Overall, the scarlet letter is included

in the plot in order to relate to the whole of sinful humanity, and to offer the hope of redemption

to them as well. While sin is not usually revealed in such an odd manner as the physical scarlet

letter, all humans carry burdens of sin in some form. Ultimately, this book poses the question of

sin itself and its general effect on surrounding peoples.