SCARLET LETTER Analysis of Romanticism in the Scarlet letter the reason for the low grade is it wasn't long enough.

Essay by justinhokieHigh School, 11th gradeA, February 2004

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Romanticism, the biggest theme in The Scarlet Letter, can be seen in every page that is turned throughout the novel. Examples of romanticism can be found from the beginning with the air of authenticity to the end with the element of a moral. Nathaniel Hawthorne is hands down the most romantic writer from his time period. Hawthorne seems to cover all the aspects of romanticism in The Scarlet Letter. However Hawthorne seems to zero in on three major elements of romanticism; he focuses the most on the element of symbolism then is followed by love of nature and supernatural.

Symbolism is the biggest factor of romanticism that Nathaniel Hawthorne focuses on in The Scarlet Letter. During the first chapter the prison is mentioned and then the cemetery is talked about soon after. This symbolizes the book's beginning and its end. The beginning is Hester's release from jail and the end Dimmesdale, Hester, and Chillingsworth are all buried at the mentioned cemetery.

The rosebush is a symbol from Hawthorne directly to the reader; Hawthorne says about the rosebush, "[... it] symbolize[s] some sweet moral blossom [...] or relieve the darkening close of a tale of human frailty and sorrow." (2). The quote speaks of how the rosebush is there for comfort since this is such a melancholy tale.

The letter A symbolizes many different things in The Scarlet Letter. The most obvious representation is adultery. Besides adultery the A represents how Hester has become 'able' in how she is very helpful and kind to the "less fortunate." It also represents 'angel', which is what Hester has become. From the time she is forced to wear the scarlet letter she begins to live a mostly sinless life. Pearl is the living scarlet letter and symbolizes the sin that...