The Scarlet Letter: Symbolism and Hester Prynne's Journey

The Scarlet Letter's Shifting Meanings

Repentance and Redemption: Learning from the 'A'

For Hester Prynne, wearing the letter “A” can have, despite its negative connotations, some positive aspects as well. Not only does it remind her of her fall, but it also teaches her not to return to her sin. Hawthorne shows this when Hester is defending her right to keep Pearl. She responds to the governor’s claim that she does not deserve to keep Pearl, stating that she will learn from the letter. This defense by Hester demonstrates that she has learned from the shame of the scarlet letter. The committee was worried that the sin represented by the letter would make teaching Pearl impossible, but Hester claims the exact opposite. She asserts that the “A” has shown her that the sin was wrong, and because of this, she will avoid any further transgression. As time progresses in the novel, Hester comes to regard the “A” as a necessary evil. This can be seen when Chillingworth hints that the committee may have the “A” taken off Hester, and she replies that it is not up to them to decide. She knows that wearing the letter is hard, but she believes that only God can remove the letter. She also believes she must wear it to work towards repenting her sin.

From Shame to 'Able': Hester's Transformation

Moreover, the “A” eventually acquires more clearly positive connotations. Hester, while secluded from society, dedicates herself to the art of needlework. Her work consists of adorning burial shrouds, baby christening outfits, military uniforms, and even government officials' robes. Her skill benefits Puritan society because she provides clothes to the poor and gorgeous, extravagant clothes for the aristocracy to wear on special occasions. Thus, little by little, she does good for the community, and the letter “A” on her chest begins to be interpreted as “Able” and “Angel,” rather than “Adulterer.” (The one area in which her work is not acceptable, however, is for weddings and wedding clothing. Because Hester has committed adultery, her work is not considered appropriate for brides.)

Arthur Dimmesdale: The 'A''s Affective Connotation

Finally, it is also important to mention that perhaps the letter “A” stands for the reason Hester became an adulterer: Arthur Dimmesdale. The letter “A” can also have an affective connotation because Arthur is both the father of her child and her beloved. Moreover, his initials, A.D., can also stand for “Adulterer.”

The Ultimate Symbolism of the Scarlet Letter

In conclusion, we can say that The Scarlet Letter's “A” is initially meant to be a symbol of shame, Hester’s punishment on display for all to see and know what she is and what she has done. Despite this, it becomes a powerful symbol of identity for Hester. The meaning of the letter shifts over time. What was originally intended to mark Hester as an adulterer eventually comes to stand for “Able.” In the end, some who see it think it marks her as a person of importance and status. To Hester, however, the letter functions as a physical reminder of her affair with Dimmesdale, as much as Pearl does. The letter also seems to point out the ultimate meaninglessness of the community’s systems of judgment and punishment.