Symbolism, a popular element in literature, is used in various books (Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone), films (Star Wars: Colors of the lightsaber) and poems (Le Brouette Rouge: the red wheelbarrow). Nathaniel Hawthorne uses the symbolic component in his book "The Scarlet Letter", using both people and things throughout the novel. Its first symbol, and arguably the most obvious, is the scarlet letter. Soon after, we learn about the symbolism of one of the main characters, Pearl Prynne, and the close connection she has to the scarlet letter. The final symbolic element, which is, again, linked to the scarlet letter as well as to Pearl, is the mark on Dimmesdale's chest. The scarlet letter, for which the novel is so aptly named, is the strongest symbol in Hawthorne's work. “On the chest of her dress, made of fine red cloth surrounded by elaborate embroidery and fantastic flourishes of gold thread, was the letter “A”. It was so artistic a work, with such fecundity and luxuriance of fancy, that it had all the effect of a final and appropriate decoration to the garments she wore; and which was of a splendor consistent with the taste of the time, but well beyond what the sumptuary regulations of the colony permitted. Although this quote seems to glorify the scarlet letter, and, in a sense, it does, it glorifies it in such a way that it serves the purpose of punishment through isolation and ostracization. Later in the book, the reader will discover that Hester Prynne's attitude, initially haughty and overly proud, marked by individualism and resistance to conformity (shown mainly in the way she is dressed), gradually diminishes as that the severity and... ... middle of paper ...... shows the permanence of the guilt as long as he does not confess. While Hester, who had no choice but to confess because she became particularly fat in the middle, lives with a just punishment that is at least bearable, Dimmesdale must live with terrible guilt. And no matter how much he wants to or how hard he tries, he can never bring himself to fully reveal his sins. And so, he is tattooed forever with the mark on his chest, while Hester can remove the "A" and Pearl can grow up and move away, showing the immutability of guilt. Symbolism is the most obvious literary device used in “The Scarlet Letter.” and appears several times throughout the play. This results in the scarlet letter, little Pearl, and the marking on Dimmesdale's chest. Hawthorne has written a truly captivating story focusing on one of the most important literary elements: symbolism..