The scarlet letter represents Hester’s adulterous sin. The color red is symbolic of frustration and anger. The red also stands out and that is what wearing the A is meant to do. It sets her apart from the rest of the community. So the red enhances the purpose of wearing the A. The embroidery on the A represents Hester taking blame for her sin. Since she embroidered it, she is taking responsibility for her sin and making the best of what she is given. The meaning of it changes as the story progresses. It evolves from simply meant adulterer to meaning able. It meant that Hester was able to help out in good ways in the community. It becomes symbolic of how she was able to work through her sin.
Pearl
Pearl is a relevant symbol in the novel. Her name represents the struggle and the high price Hester paid for her. Since a pearl is expensive and you have to pay a high price for it and it is a reflection of the high price she paid to have a sin born child. Also, Pearl represents the mixed emotions that Hester’s sin brings. The author describes Pearl as both an imp and an angel. The impish part of Pearl represents the pain and reminder of sin that she brings to Hester. The angel part of Pearl represents that happiness that Pearl brings to Hester.
Scaffold
The scaffold represents the presentation of Hester’s sin to the world as well as the public expression of things done in private. The scaffold is like a stage and Hester is the main attraction. All eyes are on Hester when she is on the scaffold. The scaffold could also represent a profession of sin since that is where Dimmesdale finally owns up to his part of the adultery.
Prison Door and Rose bush
The prison door is the doorway to all the sinners and criminals. It is described as never seeing innocence. Hester’s sin is not innocent, so it fits the prison because the door has seen sin and it holds sin. It represents that harshness of Puritan discipline. This harshness that door symbolizes is combated by the single rose bush that is next to the door. The rosebush symbolizes a type of grace or kindness. The fact that the rosebush is in front of the prison door symbolizes that there is a false sense of grace and kindness in Puritan society that is only followed by harshness and judgment.