Symbolism THE SCARLET LETTER

CHARACTERS Hester symbolizes human nature Dimmesdale symbolizes hypocrisy Pearl symbolizes the scarlet letter Chillingworth symbolizes evil

THE SCARLET A Adultery Guilt Secret sin Punishment Darkness Evil Passion Angel Able

LIGHT AND COLOR Dark colors represent: – guilt – Sadness – Sin – Punishment – Concealment – Puritans – Gloom – death

LIGHT AND COLOR Light colors represent: – Purity – Happiness – Truth – Grace – Exposure

SETTING Puritan community – Rigid rules – Self-examination Scaffold – Public humiliation Forest – Freedom – Natural world – Moral wilderness – World of darkness and evil – Man’s temptation Brook in forest – Boundary between two worlds