Throughout The Scarlet Letter several recurring symbols and motifs are observed. As with any story, these make the book what it has come to be praised for. Three recurring symbols found in the novel were the scarlet letter, the forest and introspection.

The first theme was almost immediately apparent in The Scarlet Letter. The scarlet letter was a recurring symbol in the novel that was not nearly as vague as other symbols. The scarlet letter was a punishment for Hester, an injustice and a perpetuating symbol for Dimmesdale and a fascination for Pearl. The letter was introduced in the second chapter as a punishment for Hester Prynne, the novel's protagonist, to wear on her bosom. This self-woven cloth letter "A" stood for adulteress. Hester was to stand on the scaffold for three hours in front of the whole town including children and respected adults and continue wearing the...