Name Symbolism In The Scarlet Letter

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Name Symbolism The name you’re given in life means a lot. It’s your identity, it’s who you are, and you can’t choose it. Some names send off certains signals and they all sound different when hitting your ears. In The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, there are a lot of distinct characters with specific characteristics. Some of these main characters have names that sound like some of the attributes they bring to the table.The names Chillingworth, Pearl, and Dimmesdale are the best examples of name symbolism in The Scarlet Letter. One example of name symbolism is Roger Chillingworth. This name at first listen seems harsh to the ears. This is not his actual given last name and actually the name can be linked to his turning into an evil man. A passage exemplifying this is “Old Roger Chillingworth, throughout life, had been calm in temperament, kindly, though not of warm affections, but ever, and in all his relations with the world, a pure and …show more content…
One way of symbolizing his name is how he has the title “Reverend” in front of his name. It is kind of ironic because he is revered by the townspeople and has earned his title as a religious leader yet still commits adultery with Hester Prynne. A person who is revered is highly respected by their peers and should not be committing adultery especially if he is a puritan reverend. Another symbolism of his name is Dimmesdale. As time goes on in the novel, he slowly breaks down mentally and spiritually; dimming, if you will. He is becoming dimmed because he is so ashamed of himself for committing such a crime that he stand against. “‘The heart, making itself guilty of such secrets, must perforce hold them, until the day when all hidden things shall be revealed.’” This quote is uttered by Dimmesdale while talking to Chillingworth. It shows how he feels guilty and his heart is covered in sin. His spirit and heart are becoming dimmed before all of our
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