The Scarlet Letter: Writer's Techniques

The Scarlet Letter: Writer’s Techniques

I. Symbolism

  • The Scarlet Letter ‘A’: Symbolises Hester’s Adultery but also becomes a symbol of ‘Able’, representing Hester’s survival and resilience.
  • Pearl: Hester’s daughter is often described as a living version of the scarlet letter, consistently reminding her mother and Dimmesdale of their sin.
  • The Meteor: When Dimmesdale sees a meteor in the shape of an ‘A’ it reinforces his guilt and can be read as a symbol of his inner torment.

II. Allegory

  • Hawthorne makes use of allegorical elements in the narrative where characters and events have a symbolic meaning.
  • For instance, Hester’s public punishment can be seen as an allegory for the way society often punishes those who don’t conform to its norms.

III. Irony

  • Hawthorne employs situational irony frequently, most significantly when the Puritans, who value honesty and integrity, prove to be judgemental and hypocritical.
  • Dramatic irony also adds depth to the narrative - the reader, aware of Hester and Dimmesdale’s secret, is privy to information of which most characters in the novel are ignorant.

IV. Imagery

  • Light and darkness are commonly used as contrasting imagery in the book, often symbolising good and evil respectively.
  • Natural imagery is used to set the mood of the scene, such as the wild and unperturbed forest symbolising freedom, in opposition to the restrictive Puritan settlement.

V. Foreshadowing

  • Hawthorne employs foreshadowing to indicate key plot developments, such as Dimmesdale’s eventual confession, hinted at through his frequent hand-over-heart gesture.
  • Pearl’s fascination with the scarlet letter also foreshadows her role in leading Dimmesdale to confess his sin.

VI. Metaphor and Simile

  • The book uses metaphors and similes to enhance its description. For example, Pearl is often compared to a bird, symbolising her wild, untamed nature.
  • Dimmesdale’s guilt eating at him is described as a worm in the ‘horrid fact of spiritual instability’, a clear metaphor for the destructive nature of guilt.