Ambiguity In Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter

Words: 287
Pages: 2

At the beginning of the novel, within the thorns of a rose bush, ambiguity occurs. Hawthorne mentions the scarlet bush “at the threshold” of the prison (Hawthorne 56).
The letter on Hester Prynne’s chest is the highlight of ambiguity in the novel. The letter “A” had various meanings throughout Hester Prynne’s life. Initially, the letter expressed “Adultery.” Because Hester Prynne was a woman in a strict Puritan community, the A’s purpose was to physically exploit her violation of one of God’s Ten Commandments. This scarlet stigma signified separation not only from the Puritan community, but also it meant separation from God and heaven. The letter was a mark of shame and degradation, and it served as a reminder of how Hester would be recognized: