The Symbolism Behind Hester's Clothing

Written by Anon

The scarlet letter on Hester’s clothing, the namesake of the novel, The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne displays a prevalent Puritan tradition and belief. The letter removes Hester from the rest of her peers “inclosing her in a sphere by herself” and, in direct contradiction to Puritan values is “so artistically done, and with so much fertility and gorgeous luxuriance of fancy” (46). Hester, by committing a sin in a society that strives to weed out sinners, is already an outcast. However, the scarlet letter is a more physical type of separation, showing the divide between the laws of society, and the actions and craftsmanship Hester possesses. As the symbol is a mark of her transgression, Hester’s artistry demonstrates the lack of regard for art in Puritan society. However, a parallel is drawn between the scarlet letter and Pearl, Hester’s daughter, as they are both definite symbols of her sin. By likewise describing the letter as having “fertility”, it shows the basic and most important role of women in Puritan society: the role of being a mother. The crime, though passionate and wrong, also allows Hester to fulfill her job as a woman by raising a child, which is why, despite in actuality a negative thing, the scarlet letter is described in a positive light. The letter also, separating Hester from the rest of society, shows the wish of Puritans to create a perfect and pure society, made up only of God’s chosen few. As Hester has fallen from the mold of a chosen and sinless person, she is set apart from society by the use and description of the scarlet letter. The significance of the scarlet letter only gets fundamentally more and more intriguing through the novel as it displays ideas of puritan culture. The scarlet letter on Hester’s clothing, the namesake of the novel, The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne displays a prevalent Puritan tradition and belief. The letter removes Hester from the rest of her peers “inclosing her in a sphere by herself” and, in direct contradiction to Puritan values is “so artistically done, and with so much fertility and gorgeous luxuriance of fancy” (46). Hester, by committing a sin in a society that strives to weed out sinners, is already an outcast. However, the scarlet letter is a more physical type of separation, showing the divide between the laws of society, and the actions and craftsmanship Hester possesses. As the symbol is a mark of her transgression, Hester’s artistry demonstrates the lack of regard for art in Puritan society. However, a parallel is drawn between the scarlet letter and Pearl, Hester’s daughter, as they are both definite symbols of her sin. By likewise describing the letter as having “fertility”, it shows the basic and most important role of women in Puritan society: the role of being a mother. The crime, though passionate and wrong, also allows Hester to fulfill her job as a woman by raising a child, which is why, despite in actuality a negative thing, the scarlet letter is described in a positive light. The letter also, separating Hester from the rest of society, shows the wish of Puritans to create a perfect and pure society, made up only of God’s chosen few. As Hester has fallen from the mold of a chosen and sinless person, she is set apart from society by the use and description of the scarlet letter. The significance of the scarlet letter only gets fundamentally more and more intriguing through the novel as it displays ideas of puritan culture.