The Scarlet Letter: Symbolism In The Forest :: essays research papers

The ruby-red Letter Symbolism in the Forest     "The path strangled off into the mystery of the primeval afwoodland"(179).This sentence displays just one of the fivefold personalities that the forestsymbolizes in The Scarlet Letter written by Nathaniel Hawthorn. As seen in theepic story Wizard of OZ, the forest represents a go into of evilness and de light-colored, butin the Scarlet Letter the forest symbolizes more than more then that. Each characterbrings out a dissimilar side of the forest, however the forest also brings out a divergent side in each character. For most the forest may be a charge ofsinister thoughts and wrong doing, but for others it is a place of happiness andfreedom.     The first encounter with the forest we have symbolizes just some of theevil that lingers within the darkness of the forest. As Hester and Pearl are divergence governor Bellinghams estate they are confronted by mistress Hibbins whoexplains that the witches are group meeting in the forest, and she then invites Hesterto become more deeply involved with her evil ways. "Wilt thou go with ustonight"(113) asked mistress Hibbins, even Hester refused to sign her name in theblack mans book on that night. She explains that the yet reason she does nonsign is because Pearl is still in her life. At this time the forest itself is aopen door to a nonher ground, a wicked world that would take her away from herpresent situation, but that is not the only door that the forest holds.     The forest is an open door to love and freedom for both Hester andDimmesdale. It is a place where the letter on their bodies dismiss no longer havean effect on them if they choose. A world ruled by nature and governed bynatural law as opposed to the artificial strict community with its man madeprude laws. Its as if the forest represents a key to the shackles the Hesterand Dimmesdale have been forced to wear, exclusive ly that they have to do is unlock it.Although if they choose not to unlock them, they cast down to dwell on the thingsthat they have done to deserve the shackles. In this the forest represents athing of truth, weather it be good or bad.     In pearls eyes the forest has a totally different concept. To Pearl theforest is like a best friend. It treats her as if she were one of its own. Theanimals do not runaway at her ever move, instead they come to her with open arms.The light is chasing her no matter where she goes.