Nicole Jahromi

Pre-AP English P6

Ms. Wing

11-29

In Nathaniel Hawthorne’s book, The Scarlet Letter, he uses several examples of

rhetorical devices. Hawthorne uses metaphor, metonymy, and a sardonic tone to depict Hester’s

inner turmoil.

Hawthorne uses figurative language such as simile to portray Hester’s difficulty making

her decision to leave town or not. When Hawthorne writes, “she hid the secret from herself, and

grew pale whenever it struggled out of her, like a serpent from its hole”, he compares Hester to a

serpent. Hawthorne says that her opening up about her problems is similar to a serpent leaving its

home. This displays how embarrassed and guilty she feels about her mistakes. It is also implied

that she is uncomfortable about the situation which gives an insight into her inner state of

confusion and self conflict.

Nathaniel Hawthorne also uses metonymy as a rhetorical device that depicts her turmoil.

In, “There dwelt, there trode the feet on one with whom she deemed herself connected in a

union”, Hawthorne uses metonymy by saying “there trode the feet of one” rather than “a person”

or directly naming the person to avoid directly stating that is a person. He continues to say that

“with whom she deemed herself connected in union” revealing that her connection with this

person is making her decision a very difficult one.

Finally, Hawthorne focusses on using a sardonic tone. A sardonic tone is used to

demonstrate that, although the decision of staying or leaving is a difficult one in her eyes, it is a
fairly simple one from an outsider’s perspective. When Hawthorne writes, “ Over and over

again, the tempter of souls had thrust the idea upon Hester’s contemplation, and laughed at the

passionate and desperate joy with which she seized, and then strove to cast it away from her”

words like “laughed” and “desperate joy” implies that the reason behind Hester wanting to stay

is not a good one. This adds her her confusion because the decision seems to be easy however

she can not decide.

Nathaniel Hawthorne’s use of rhetorical devices such as metonymy, simile, and a

sardonic tone allow one to be able to understand Hester’s perspective better. This enables one to

also better understand her constant inner struggle and trouble making this potentially life

changing decison.