A Comparison Of Hawthorne’s Works Essay, Research Paper

A Comparison of Hawthorne’s Works

In both of Hawthorne’s short stories and The Scarlet Letter, the author uses distinct symbolisms that have more than one meaning. In The Scarlet Letter, the red rose bush and the weeds located at the entrance of the prison symbolize both good and evil. Throughout the novel, the rose bush represents Pearl, and how good things can come out of bad experiences. Hawthorne suggests the red rose as being “some sweet moral blossom”, and represents Hester’s relationship as a love both good and bad. Also in The Scarlet Letter, the letter “A” symbolizes more than one thing. The first and clearest form of the letter is that of “Adultery”. It is apparent that Hester is guilty of cheating on her husband when she surfaces from the prison with a three-month-old-child in her arms, while her husband has been away for two years. The second form that it takes is “Angel.” When Governor Winthrop passes away, a giant “A” appears in the sky. People from the church feel that, “For as our good Governor Winthrop was made an angel this past night, it was doubtless held fit that there should be some notice thereof!” The final form that the scarlet letter take is “Able.” Hester helped the people of the town so unselfishly that Hawthorne wrote that because such helpfulness was found in her, “The people refused to interpret the scarlet “A” by its original significance”. They said that it meant Able; “So strong was Hester Prynne, with a woman’s strength.” While the letter “A” is a most complex and misunderstood symbol, Pearl is even more so. Throughout the story, she develops into a dynamic symbol – one that is always changing. God’s treatment of Hester for her sin was quite different than just a physical token: He gave Hester the punishment of bearing a very unique child which she named Pearl. This punishment handed down from God was a constant mental and physical reminder to Hester of what she had done wrong, and she could not escape it. In this aspect, Pearl symbolized God’s way of punishing Hester for adultery. In Hawthorne’s short stories, The Minister’s Black Veil, in particular, the black veil worn by the minister suggests more than one meaning. It shows sin, darkness, concealment, and death all in one. Therefore, Hawthorne consistently used symbols that had more than one purpose and meaning for both the novel and the short stories.

The mood indicated in The Scarlet Letter and in the short stories is relatively dismal and gloomy, and there is minimal difference between them. In both works, death is included, making it depressing. In The Scarlet Letter, there are love struggles, like that shown between Hester and Reverend Dimmesdale. In the stories, there are some struggles and romance as well. In Dr. Heidegger’s Experiment, there were the young men fighting over the young beautiful lady, and in The Minister’s Black Veil, there is love between the minister and his fianc?e. Because of his concealment of his sin, she refused to marry him, but nevertheless stood beside him at his deathbed. These present a romantic and lusty mood, and also sadness because of concealment of sin.

Nathaniel Hawthorne is a very good author, and tends to write in the same fashion for all of his works. His details, use of words, and themes come together to make great stories.