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Kaitlyn Avitia

Ms.Harris Pd.4

AP Lang

20 November 2020

Do Not be Deceived

In Nathaniel Hawthorne’s ​The Scarlet Letter,​ the use of symbolism helps reveal the

theme that despite life’s challenges, things may work out in the end if one keeps living by one’s

principles. Even though times may seem challenging, these moments are meant to help one go

forward in life, and grow.

The scarlet letter changed Hester’s life as it forced her to be shunned by society and to

live in isolation to raise her child. Even though the nature of the scarlet letter is to bring shame, it

brought Hester a new life where she is able to have a happy family; she would have never got

this life without the scarlet letter. From, ​The Scarlet Letter​, “It had the effect of a spell, taking

her out of the ordinary relations with humanity, and inclosing her in a sphere by herself”(p.46).

The scarlet letter had an effect that was so significantly overwhelming that it could be classified

as a spell. It caused a great shift from being seen as a beauty in the publics’ eye, to becoming

isolated by society. This world of being her new reality was so juxtaposing that she had to

become a new person. According to, ​The Scarlet Letter​,” she turned her eyes downward at the

scarlet letter, and even touched it with her finger, to assure herself that the infant and the shame

were real. Yes!-these were her realities, -all else had vanished!”(p.51) This shows the
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significance of the scarlet letter and the amount of shame it brings. It shows how strong that this

simple symbol changes one’s life forever for the worst. The symbol straightforwardly brings

shame, and represents adultery. Society shaming her forced her to have to mentally toughen up.

She had to learn how to handle all the backlash she was given. This led to her growth to become

a stronger independent woman. According to, ​The Scarlet Letter​, “coming forth along the

pathway that led townward ;and, discerning the scarlet letter on her breast, would scamper off,

with a strange, contagious fear.”(p.68) The scarlet letter is bringing about a new life for Hester as

she has been made to move away from the people that know her. Despite the move the scarlet

letter still made it so that she was judged by society. Since she was isolated she was able to focus

solely on raising her child. She now had a new life in a quaint cottage separate from society.

Since she is alone she had to learn how to make a living for herself to be able to properly take

care of Pearl. According to, ​The Scarlet Letter​, ”-resumed the symbol of which we have related

so dark a tale. Never afterwards did it quit her bosom. But, in the lapse of the toilsome,

thoughtful, and self-devoted years that made up Hester’s life, the scarlet letter ceased to be a

stigma which attracted the world’s scorn and bitterness, and became a type of something to be

sorrowed over, and looked upon with awe, yet with reverence too.”(p.215) This quote shows

how although she was heavily challenged, through time and perseverance she was able to change

the meaning of the scarlet letter itself. Hester ceased to have the letter bring her down and control

her life both mentally and physically. Instead of having the letter weigh her down, she gradually

took the time and made it so despite having the scarlet letter she was able to become a

respectable person in society. This shows that all the challenges that the letter gave her made her

strong enough to be able to continue life without mentally falling apart. She was able to grow

stronger than her peers as she had to persevere through harder life experiences. Her unparalleled
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strength made her someone people could go to for advice. These events led to her gaining respect

in society despite her scarlet letter. By the end of the book she told Arthur that he was Pearl’s

father and is able to live a new happy life where Pearl had a father. Without all the events

brought by the scarlet letter she would never have this new life that she has today.
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Work Cited

Hawthorne, Nathaniel, 1804-1864. The Scarlet Letter. New York, N.Y., U.S.A. :Signet Classic,

1988.