Meaning Of A In The Scarlet Letter
The Scarlet Letter is about a woman named Hester Prynne who must wear the letter A for committing adultery. Even though it is never stated what the "A" really stands for, most readers would say it obviously stands for adultery. But Hawthorne implies within the reading that it has many other meanings. A few suggestions is that the "A" stands for Arthur, Aspiration, or Anarchy.
One meaning that Hawthorne suggests the "A" means is anarchy. Through out the story Hester is represented as a rebel against the puritan society and its ways of life. Having an affair and an illegitimate child seems to be enough anarchy itself, but Hester continues to oppose the Puritan society throughout the story. Even the letter that she made was bright red and gold and was described as "splendor in accordance with the taste of the age, but greatly beyond what was allowed by the sumptuary regulations of the colony."(57) Hester also refused to tell her husband who the person was that she had an affair with, even though she was obligated to tell him. Chapter 13 empathizes the anarchy of Hester Prynne. She is described as going through a "transformation" to not being a woman anymore. Her hair seems to be cut off and all the "light and graceful foliage of her characterÂ…had long ago fallen away, leaving a bare and harsh outline." (132)
But her character is not the only thing that has gone through a transformation. Hawthorne describes how her mind has changed too. He states that "The world's law was no law for her mind,"(133) showing the continuing anarchy that Hester is going through. Hawthorne continues to show the anarchy by describing Hester as having the spirit of men bolder those who had "overthrown nobles and kings." (133) This suggests that Hester is transforming into somewhat of a man, being tough, bold, and daring in her mind.
The purpose of the "A" was to punish Hester and keep as a reminder of the "sin" that she committed. Because of the great...
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