By Nathaniel Hawthorne The Scarlet Letter By Nathaniel Hawthorne
Setting (time and Place) Boston, 1642
Themes Human frailty and sin Hypocrisy Alienation Redemption
Symbols Scarlet Letter Weeds vs. flowers Light vs. shade The scaffold Wild rose bush Forest vs. the town Pearl
Characters Hester Prynne – Woman caught in adultery Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale – Young pastor in the Boston church Roger Chillingworth – An old physician and Hester’s husband Pearl – Hester’s daughter
Characters Reverend John Wilson – Senior pastor of the Boston church Governor Bellingham – Governor of Boston Mistress Hibbins – Gov. Bellingham’s sister who was believed to be a witch
Color Imagery White – innocence and purity Green – new birth; spring Red – courage; blood; passion Gold – wealth; luxury Black – evil; darkness; death