Nathaniel Hawthorne is known for the unique symbolism contained in his writings. His 1850 novel The Scarlet Letter is an example of this. Many of his symbols are repeated throughout the book: three of these symbols are a wild rose-bush, the color red and fire.

In chapter one, Hawthorne tells the reader that there is a wild rose bush growing outside of the prison that Hester stays at, prior to standing on the town scaffolds. This rose-bush is the only sign of life and goodness near the barren and desolate prison. Later in the book when Pearl is asked where she came from and she responds that her mother picked her from the rose bush outside the prison. Pearl is her mother's only possession of goodness.

The color red represents blood, pain, sin, evil and love. Multiple times there are references made to the color red. The Scarlet Letter...