The Scarlet Letter Reading Response

The Scarlet Letter (by Nathaniel Hawthorne)

The Scarlet Letter, by Nathaniel Hawthorne, is about Hester Prynne, an adulterer who is shamed by the public. She is put back into society and forced to wear a scarlet “A” on her dress for the rest of her life. Hester also has a child, Pearl, in results of the affair, and is forced to confront her husband and lover. In the book, many symbols are presented. One symbol presented in book is Europe.

One thing Europe represents is a fresh start or a second chance. It would give Hester a chance to start over and leave behind her mistakes and sins. It would also give Pearl a chance to live a more normal childhood. Finally, it would give Dimmesdale and Hester a chance to be together without the guilt and judgment. For example, Hester said “... ‘Leave this wreck and ruin here where it hath happened! Meddle no more with it!’” to Dimmesdale. This quote shows that Hester wants to leave all of the judgments, sins, and labels behind. She doesn't want to have to deal with them anymore. Another example is, Hester convinces Dimmesdale, “... ‘Begin all anew!... Give up this name of Arthur Dimmesdale, and give thyself another…’” This shows that Hester wants to begin a new life. She is convincing Dimmesdale to join her. Hester wants to forget her old life and this is shown by her telling Dimmesdale that he can forget his old name and create a new name, a new life.

Another thing Europe represents is hope, for the reader and Hester. For example, Hester said, “‘The future is yet full of trial and success. There is happiness to be enjoyed!’” This shows that there is a place out there that is waiting to be explored and enjoyed. It gives the reader hope because some people want to start fresh and forget their mistakes and knowing there is a happier place can give them hope. Another example is, while Hester was giving Dimmesdale a speech to convince him to go to Europe, she was very passionate. This shows that she wanted so badly to start over and she hoped the new life she envisioned was as amazing as she dreamt.

In conclusion, Europe is an important symbol because it gives the reader and Hester hope, and it represents a fresh start which Hester and Pearl desperately need. This connects to readers because at one point in everyone’s life, they want to start over and forget all the labels and mistakes. Nathaniel Hawthorne introduces the idea of a better place and gives hope to the readers that this place exists and starting over is possible.