Characters
This character can be viewed as either a sinner who broke society's rules or a strong woman who refuses to be defined by her mistake
Who is Hester Prynne?
This symbol can represent shame and sin, but other readers may see it as representing strength and indepence
What is the Scarlet Letter "A"
This place can represent punishment and oppression, while other readers may see it as representing the consequences of breaking society's rules
What is the prison?
This character may be seen as either a coward for hiding the truth or a sympathetic person trapped by fear and pressure
Who is Arthur Dimmesdale?
Can be interpreted symbolically as either the result of sin or something beautiful that came from Hester's love
Who is Pearl
Some readers may see this place as a symbol of public shame and judgment, while others may see it as a place where truth is finally revealed
What is the scaffold?
This character can be viewed as either a wronged husband seeking justice or a vengeful man consumed by hatred
Who is Roger Chillingsworth?
Some readers may see this symbol as representing hope and beauty, while others may see it as showing how good things can exist beside suffering
What is the rosebush?
This place may represent Hester's isolation from society, while other readers may see it as representing her independence and freedom from society's expectations
What is Hester's cottage?
This character may be viewed as either a wild and disobedient child or a symbol of freedom and individuality
Who is Pearl?
Can represent a dangerous place outside Puritan rules, while other readers may see it as a place of freedom where people can be their true selves
What is the forest
Readers may view this setting as a strict and judgmental society, while others may see it as a community trying to maintain order through shared religious beliefs and rules
What is the Puritan town/Boston?
Who is Governor Bellingham?
Dimmesdale interprets this symbol as an "A" connected to his guilt, while other characters interpret it differently, showing how a person's perspective can change the meaning of the same event
What is the meteor?
Can be viewed as a symbol of wealth and power, while other readers may see it as showing the hypocrisy of Puritan leaders who preach simplicity but live luxuriously
What is Governor Bellingham's mansion?