Symbols and Symbolism in Nathaniel Hawthornes The Scarlet Letter :: Scarlet Letter essays

Symbolism in The blood-red Letter Carl Jung believed that the source of tokens is universal. Symbols arise from the joint unconscious common to all hu populaces everywhere. Joseph Campbells research supports this theory he traces universal archetypes through the stories, myths, and artwork of respective(a) cultures. While well-nigh work through with symbolism has focused on the universality of symbols, Nathaniel Hawthorn focuses on their personal, subjective meanings. A universal symbol arises from the symbols blood to reality thus, such a symbol remains the same across cultures and with different individuals. While symbols can be created, such created symbols are subjective and must be given meaning inwardly their context and because the context is different among individuals and societies and can vary over time, the meanings of the symbols are, likewise, highly vari competent. In The Scarlet Letter, the symbol of most importance is the letter A which Hester Prynne is con demned to wear, having been prime guilty of adultery. Literally, the letter A is an arbitrary visual representation of particular sounds used in languages. Nothing in the shape of the letter A or any other aspect of its being represents adultery. This shape is consortd upon by community who use the Roman first rudiment to begin the series of marks that visually signifies the word adultery. This is not a universally symbolic relationship. The letter A means nothing in itself until the Puritans agree to a meaning in install to mark Hester and this meaning is altered according to the mindset of those interpreting it. Hester with this mark of shame upon her bosom is meant to be a living sermon against sin (59) hitherto the residents of Boston had begun to look upon the scarlet letter as the token, not of that one sin . . . but of her many neat deeds since. . . . The scarlet letter had the kernel of the cross on a nuns bosom. It imparted to the wearer a kind of sacredness, which enabled her to walk securely amid all peril (149). Some people begin saying that A stands for able (148). Another example of the changeable symbolism of the letter A is the astronomical event witnessed by Arthur Dimmesdale and others on the wickedness of Governor Winthrops death. Dimmesdale as a man rendered morbidly self-contemplative . . . had extended his egoism over the whole expanse of nature.Symbols and Symbolism in Nathaniel Hawthornes The Scarlet Letter Scarlet Letter essaysSymbolism in The Scarlet Letter Carl Jung believed that the source of symbols is universal. Symbols arise from the collective unconscious common to all humans everywhere. Joseph Campbells research supports this theory he traces universal archetypes through the stories, myths, and artwork of various cultures. While most work done with symbolism has focused on the universality of symbols, Nathaniel Hawthorn focuses on their personal, subjective meanings. A universal symbol arises from the symbols r elationship to reality thus, such a symbol remains the same across cultures and with different individuals. While symbols can be created, such created symbols are subjective and must be given meaning within their context and because the context is different among individuals and societies and can vary over time, the meanings of the symbols are, likewise, highly variable. In The Scarlet Letter, the symbol of most importance is the letter A which Hester Prynne is condemned to wear, having been found guilty of adultery. Literally, the letter A is an arbitrary visual representation of particular sounds used in languages. Nothing in the shape of the letter A or any other aspect of its being represents adultery. This shape is agreed upon by people who use the Roman alphabet to begin the series of marks that visually signifies the word adultery. This is not a universally symbolic relationship. The letter A means nothing in itself until the Puritans agree to a meaning in order to mark Hest er and this meaning is altered according to the mindset of those interpreting it. Hester with this mark of shame upon her bosom is meant to be a living sermon against sin (59) yet the residents of Boston had begun to look upon the scarlet letter as the token, not of that one sin . . . but of her many good deeds since. . . . The scarlet letter had the effect of the cross on a nuns bosom. It imparted to the wearer a kind of sacredness, which enabled her to walk securely amid all peril (149). Some people begin saying that A stands for able (148). Another example of the changeable symbolism of the letter A is the astronomical event witnessed by Arthur Dimmesdale and others on the night of Governor Winthrops death. Dimmesdale as a man rendered morbidly self-contemplative . . . had extended his egoism over the whole expanse of nature.