The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne

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Symbolism

• The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne
• Barry 2010

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Symbolism

• The Scarlet Letter is well-known as containing a
  great deal of symbolism.
• Symbolism refers to the use of symbols in
  literature.

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Symbols

• In literature, a symbol is any object, person,
  place, or action that has both a meaning in
  itself and that stands for something larger than
  itself.
• A symbol might stand for an idea, a quality, an
  attitude, a belief, or a value.

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Symbols

• What does this image symbolize?

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Symbols

• What does this image symbolize?

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Symbols

• What does this image symbolize?

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Symbols

• Colors can be symbolic, as well.

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Symbols

• Usually authors do not explain the symbols they
  use (although Hawthorne sometimes does).
• It is up to the reader to interpret symbols in
  literature.
• Symbols can mean different things to different
  readers, and one thing can symbolize multiple
  ideas.
• The only wrong interpretation of a symbol is one
  that has nothing to do with evidence in the text.

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Symbols in The Scarlet Letter

• The rosebush p. 34

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Symbols in The Scarlet Letter

• Pearl top of p. 49
• (type means symbol)

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Symbols in The Scarlet Letter

• the scarlet letter

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Symbols in The Scarlet Letter

• Hester herself p. 54