Color Symbolism in The Scarlet Letter Literary Analysis Essay Sample

On average, the human eye can distinguish and recognize over 10 million different colors. Each one having its own unique shade, tone, name, and sometimes meaning. Throughout The Scarlet Letter, the color red conveys a wide array of emotions to the reader. Whether it be from Hester, Pearl, or Dimmesdale, red takes a prominent role in the symbolism from the novel. In The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, he uses the color red through the symbols of the rose and Hester’s scarlet letter to represent her freedom, rebellion, and power in a society that doesn’t accept her.

Our first encounter with the red is a rose bush found in the area surrounding Hester as she leaves the prison and is on her way to be publicly humiliated on the scaffold. At first glance, this rose bush can symbolize one of many things. Hawthorne writes, “…a wild rose bush… in token that the deep heart of Nature could pity and be kind to him [prisoner]” (Hawthorne 29). Here, he is showing the general relief the beautiful plant can give in such a dark and overwhelming situation. It also represents something new and bright to Hester, as she has been locked up in the dark all this time. Because the rose is one the first things she can see when she is “free”, it can become something alleviating in her life, giving her hope for the future. Not only is the rose a symbol of comfort, but a sign of rebellion against the society that is condemning Hester and freedom as she leaves the prison. Hawthorne references Anne Hutchinson, an early Puritan feminist who fought against societal standards of women and stood up to male authority, who was considered rebellious for her actions and compares her to Hester. He says, “This rose bush,…, has been kept alive in history;…, it had sprung under the footsteps of Anne Hutchinson as she entered the prison door” (Hawthorne 29). In context, he is asking the reader a question and considering all possibilities for the appearance and long life of the flower. His reference to Hutchinson allows the idea that this is a tale of female rebellion on society to blossom and then be carried throughout the novel. Simply by telling the history of a rose, the symbol becomes much more than a plant and transforms into a story of passion, individualism, rebellion, and freedom.  

The next major plot point where red and the rose make an appearance is when Hester and Pearl travel to the governor’s house and interact with the rose bush outside. This time the story is more focused on Peal and her connection to the color. As they head into the garden, Peal spots a rose and begins to cry for it. “Peal, seeing the rose bushes, began to cry to a red rose, and would not be pacified” (Hawthorne 61). Hester’s eager child so desperately wants the flower, only to be like her mother. She wants to carry around the letter like it means nothing, which very clearly upsets Hester. When Peal cries for the rose, Hester is hurt because she wants what is best for her daughter, meaning she doesn’t want her daughter to be like her. Here the red represents passion from Pearl wanting to be like her mother and a slight worry and sorrow as Hester feels for the little one. Pearl then goes on to joke about how she was created, “the child finally announced that she had not been made at all, but had been plucked by her mother off the bush of wild roses that grew by the prison door” (Hawthorne 63). This specific quote proves Pearl’s utter fascination with the color and how connected it is to her and her mother. She associates the color with Hester, who she admires so much. Not only is the red a connection between mother and daughter, but a story of rebellion as Hester and her child face the cruel world they live in. Together, the symbols bring light to them as each has their own association with it. Hester and her scarlet letter and Peal with her roses. 

Throughout the novel, Hester carries her sin, decided by the townsfolk, around with her on a scarlet letter found on her chest. The bright red color draws attention to her in every way possible but instead of being ashamed of her decisions, Hester uses it as a sign of power. She recognizes the attention it brings but does not go out of her way to hide it. In fact, when she is first declared to wear the letter, she uses her sewing skills to make it something beautiful rather than shameful. Hawthorne describes, “It [the letter] was so artistically done, and with so much fertility and gorgeous luxuriance of fancy, that it had all the effect of a last and fitting decoration to the apparel which she wore” (Hawthorne 31). He then goes on to describe the disbelief of the crowd when they first see the letter, “but did ever a woman,…, contrive such a way of wearing it” (Hawthorne 32). Even though she has been condemned a sinner, Hester makes a point to show she is not afraid of them. Her rebellious attitude becomes an inspiring trait over time as she grows as a person. Even after a long period of time, people are still whispering and pointing at her, but she continues on with her life practically ignoring them. 

Lastly, when both Hester and Dimmesdale pass away, they share a tombstone which contains the red letter A, ending their story exactly how it began. Red makes its way back through to finish off its symbolism. The headstone reads, “ON A FIELD, SABLE, THE LETTER A, GULES” (Hawthorne 147). In simpler words it is saying that there is a black background with a red letter A on it. Even through all the challenges their love faced, their passion for each and their relationship remained on top. Hester and Dimmesdale both led lives of “sin” but managed to overcome society and do what was best for them and their daughter. As the story comes to an end, so does the passion from the red. Them being buried with the color is its final story filled with emotion. Their passion, rebellion, and now freedom. Both Hester and Dimmesdale are free now from society’s chokehold. They can carry on their lives forever in happiness, together. 

In conclusion, throughout The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, he uses the color red through the symbols of the rose and Hester’s scarlet letter to represent her freedom, rebellion, and power in a society that doesn’t accept her. Along with Hester and her emotions, her daughter Pearl and lover Dimmesdale experience the symbolism of the red. Each mention of the color has its own story to follow but they all eventually come together in the end. Red specifically shows rebellion, passion, and freedom in ways that simply stating the words could not accomplish. Using colors and symbolism, even in silent ways, can add extreme amounts of emotion to a story, especially this one.