n in life. Another way light anddarkness is used in symbolism is in the way Hester and Dimmesdales plan to escape isdoomed. Hester and Dimmesdale meet in the shadows of the forest with a gloomy skyand a threatening storm overhead when they discuss their plans for the future (200). Thegloomy weather and shadows exemplify the fact that they cannot get away from therepressive force of their sin. This fact is later reiterated when Dimmesdale dies on thescaffold after confessing. The final instance of light and dark occurs because Hester andDimmesdale cannot acknowledge their love in front of others. When they meet in thewoods, they feel that, No golden light had ever been so precious as the gloom of thisdark forest (206). This statement is foreshadowing that they will never last togetheropenly because their sin has separated them too much from normal life. The scarlet letter takes many different forms in the novel. The first and mostobvious is that of adultery. It is apparent that Hester is guilty of adultery when shesurfaces from the prison with a three-month-old child in her arms, and her husband hasbeen away for two years. Hence, the people look at the letter elaborately embroideredwith gold thread and see a hussy who is proud of her sin. The second form that theletter A takes is Angel. When Governor Winthrop passes away, a giant A appears inthe sky. People from the church feel that, For as our good Governor Winthrop wasmade a angel this past night, it was doubtless held fit that there should be some noticethereof! (16). The final form that the scarlet letter takes that of Hester being Able. Hester helped the people of the town so unselfishly that Hawthorne wrote, Suchhelpfulness was found in her, --so much power to do, and power to sympathize, --thatmany people refused to interpret the scarlet A by its original significance. They said thatit meant Able; so strong was Hester Prynne, with a womans strength (167). In...
