Abstract：Regarded as the most successful novel written by Hawthorne, The Scarlet Letter is remarkable for its distinctive feature of symbolism which should be particularly mentioned. Symbolism means using an image to refer to something else, which is fully showed in this novel. Hawthorne’s mind works with the help of signs and symbols. Besides the scarlet letter “A”, the names of the characters and the flowers, the scaffold is symbolic too.
The scaffold, as a form of public punishment and humiliation, contains different symbolic meanings to different characters. The scaffold scenes, mentioned three times throughout the novel, are the major settings used as symbols. It is the three scaffold scenes that bring the four major characters together and bring the story to a climax. So the scaffold plays a significant role in developing the story and uniting the characters.
The symbolic meaning of the scaffold is changing as the story develops. To Arthur Dimmesdale, the scaffold serves as a torture, a safe heaven and a soul-free place as the story goes. The inner world of the respected minister develops with the appearance of the scaffold at different times. Due to his cowardice and hypocrisy, Dimmesdale goes through seven years of inner torment and struggle, but only when he stands on the scaffold in broad daylight can his mental agony be alleviated.
Key words: scaffold; symbolic; torture; heaven; soul-free
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