Nature In The Scarlet Letter

Playing a
critical role in , Nature acts in contrast to Puritan society, creating
symbols and , demonstrating Pathetic Fallacy, while also reflecting changes in .

• Contrast to Puritan Society

From the onset
of the narrative about , the contrast of the beauty of nature set against the harshness of
Puritanical law is apparent with the juxtaposition of the weatherbeaten prison door with the
rusted latch against the lovely wild rosebush that is held out as an invitation to "some
sweet moral blossom" for the ensuing tale.

After Hester is made to wear
the scarlet A upon her bosom, (Puritan law), her beauty seems to fade, and
inwhen Hester enters the forest with , the child remarks that the sunshine runs from her mother,
who is in the darkness of her sin, while the innocent child "catches" a stream of
light.

The great black forest--stern as it showed itself
to those who brought the guilt and troubles of the world into its bosom--became the...

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