What do the poisonous plants symbolize in The Scarlet Letter?
Weeds and poisonous plants in the novel are mostly associated with those who have sinned or lied. It was believe that if you died with a sinnful secret or something still unconfessed, poisonous plants and weeds would grow over your grave due to them being released finally from the person’s body.
What is the black flower in Scarlet Letter?
Among the overgrown weeds and vegetation, stands “the black flower of civilized society”. This “black flower” represents the darkness, sorrow and crime found at prisons. The irony of a beautiful rose bush in front of a worn prison is symbolic to the hope found within the harsh Puritan society.
What does pearl call Chillingworth?
But he cannot catch little Pearl! The Puritans often referred to the Devil as the Black Man, referring figuratively to the darkness of sin and evilness of deeds. Thus, when Pearl calls Chillingworth by this appellation, she seems to be identifying his sinfulness and wickedness.
Why does Chillingworth not reveal his identity?
Hester keeps secret the name of her illegitimate child’s father (Reverend Dimmesdale) and the true identity of Roger Chillingworth (her husband). She does not reveal that Chillingworth is really her husband because she has promised him that she will not.
Why does the scarlet letter mean Able?
The scarlet letter on Hester’s chest is a symbol of strength and ability to be strong and tough so that she is able to achieve happiness. Nathaniel Hawthorne has shown many good actions done by Hester Prynne.
What do weeds represent in the Bible?
These are the people who belong to the Kingdom of God and who will go to Heaven at the end of time. The weeds represent those people who do not listen to God’s word, they are “sons of the evil one” who will go to the fiery furnace of hell at the end of time.
What does the last line of scarlet letter mean?
A motto carved on the headstone they share ensures that their punishment follows them even into death: “on a field, sable, the letter A, gules.” This motto is a verbal representation of the scarlet letter (“sable” means black and “gules” means reddish). We could interpret this persistent A as a tragic final image.
What does Chillingworth see on Dimmesdale’s chest?
It is while Dimmesdale is sleeping one night that Chillingworth’s supsicions are confirmed; he looks at the sleeping Dimmesdale, and sees something on his chest that verifies he is indeed the man Hester had been with. There, on Dimmesdale’s chest, is an engraved letter A, cut into his skin and scarred over.
What do the weeds symbolize in The Scarlet Letter?
In The Scarlet Letter, the weeds that grow from the grave – sprouting from the heart of the sinner – are visible manifestations of his sin. For Dimmesdale, who notices these weeds, they represent his worst fear and, strangely, his greatest longing – exposure.
What does Chillingworth do while Dimmesdale sleeps?
Chillingworth picks up on this and thinks something about his chest will reveal Dimmesdale’s secret. When Dimmesdale is in a uncharacteristic deep sleep one afternoon, Chillingworth pulls back his robe and sees something on his chest. His reaction was described as what Satan looks like when a soul goes to Hell.