Symbolism is the practical use of any iconic representation, which carries particular conventional meanings. Within The Scarlet Letter, Nathaniel Hawthorne uses symbolism to expose a deeper meaning in the story. The primary and most obvious symbol that Hawthorne uses is the embroidered letter "A" given to Hester to wear as a reminder to the town of her adultery. Subsequently, the scaffold, indirectly relates to the symbolism of sin because it is where the sinners are displayed and revealed and not the actual sin itself. Finally, Pearl the illegitimate child of Hester is the real life embodiment of the scarlet letter. Through the use of the scaffold, Pearl, and the scarlet letter, Nathaniel Hawthorne incorporates symbolism, to illustrate the nature and consequences of sin.

The scaffold is a platform in Puritanical society, where people are publicly condemned and displayed. There are...