“Come up hither once again, and we will stand all three together” (Hawthorne p.100). Throughout literature authors include symbols within their writing. These symbols are often obvious to the reader, but sometimes the reader must make inferences to uncover the symbol and its meaning . Nathaniel Hawthorne is very well known for his use of symbols in American literature. In Hawthorne's novel The Scarlet Letter, many symbols appear over the course of the seven years the story covers. Hawthorne includes objects, people, and places as symbols to try to reveal a deeper truth or underlying message. Hawthorne purposely put in these symbols to try to make a connection with the reader and make the reader realize the meaning behind the story. No other
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Dimmesdale begins to accept his sin and his family on the scaffold when he says, “Come up hither once again, and we will stand all three together” (p.100). Dimmesdale uses the scaffold in this scene in an ironic manner. The once negative symbol shifts to have a connotation of unity and family. Dimmesdale also describes a feeling, “a strange joy-nevertheless” (p.100). This is one of the first times Dimmesdale is visibly happy since the torment by Chillingworth. The scaffold brings them together in the situation which brings about a positive tone different than before. Despite the feeling of family and strength, some negativity and resistance is still associated with the scaffold. This is seen when Pearl tells Dimmesdale he, “wast not bold!-thou wast not true!” (p.104). This resistance by Pearl shows she still does not fully trust or forgive Dimmesdale for his past transgressions. The symbolic meaning of the scaffold is now the beginning of full unity for the family. However, it is not fully healed and there are still some hesitations by Dimmesdale and in response to that, Pearl. The negativity corresponding with the symbol begins to diminish over the course of the story until the next appearance of the …show more content…
The book begins with the symbol having a very negative connotation and with a symbolic meaning of a poor relationship among the family. The symbol later progresses to symbolize a more positive connotation with some negative tones still left and the relationship of the family is improving. The final scene encompasses both a positive connotation of the symbol as well as a positive relationship of the family. As well as the feelings of unity, relief, and family once their secret sin is known amongst the community. “But the town was asleep. There was no peril…”
Dimmesdale begins to accept his sin and his family on the scaffold when he says, “Come up hither once again, and we will stand all three together” (p.100). Dimmesdale uses the scaffold in this scene in an ironic manner. The once negative symbol shifts to have a connotation of unity and family. Dimmesdale also describes a feeling, “a strange joy-nevertheless” (p.100). This is one of the first times Dimmesdale is visibly happy since the torment by Chillingworth. The scaffold brings them together in the situation which brings about a positive tone different than before. Despite the feeling of family and strength, some negativity and resistance is still associated with the scaffold. This is seen when Pearl tells Dimmesdale he, “wast not bold!-thou wast not true!” (p.104). This resistance by Pearl shows she still does not fully trust or forgive Dimmesdale for his past transgressions. The symbolic meaning of the scaffold is now the beginning of full unity for the family. However, it is not fully healed and there are still some hesitations by Dimmesdale and in response to that, Pearl. The negativity corresponding with the symbol begins to diminish over the course of the story until the next appearance of the …show more content…
The book begins with the symbol having a very negative connotation and with a symbolic meaning of a poor relationship among the family. The symbol later progresses to symbolize a more positive connotation with some negative tones still left and the relationship of the family is improving. The final scene encompasses both a positive connotation of the symbol as well as a positive relationship of the family. As well as the feelings of unity, relief, and family once their secret sin is known amongst the community. “But the town was asleep. There was no peril…”