The Scarlet Letter is Hawthorne's work in The Scarlet Letter is so emotionally complex that the symbolism of the story can be difficult to understand. The Scarlet Letter is based on sin, guilt and evil. Hester decided to deal with her infidelities silently and independently. On the other hand, Mr. Dimmesdale does not have enough courage to confess his role in Hester's continued sin. The symbolism of Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter is important to understanding the scarlet "A", the pear, and the meteor. The scarlet letter is the most significant symbol in all of history. Hawthorne's work in The Scarlet Letter is so emotionally complex that the symbolism of the story can be difficult to understand (Whipple). The setting of Scarlett's Letter is in Puritan times and Mr. Hawthorne made the book more realistic by implementing Puritan rules and methods throughout the story (Lanzen Harris). The scarlet letter is a scarlet and gold badge carefully embroidered by Hester Prynne to be worn on her breast to show that she is adulterous (Hawthorne 155). The letter is a symbol of the passionate love scandal Hester had with Mr. Dimmesdale, the young pastor of the church. Hester arrived in Salem a married woman, but her husband did not arrive with her (Hawthorne178). She told the townspeople that she was awaiting his arrival. Then, after Hester Prynne became pregnant, the townspeople knew that Hester had had relations with a man who was not her husband, but they did not know who. Hester's letter to Scarlett then represented her act of adultery. By making Scarlett's letter visible to the rest of the town, it is intended to shame Hester and remind her of her sin. The meaning of the symbol "A" began to change as Hester communicated.... middle of paper ......07):31-55. Rep. in Youth Literature Review. Ed. Dana Ferguson. Flight. 163. Detroit: Gale, 2011. Gale Library Resources. Internet. March 13, 2014. Taylor, Olivia Gatti. “Cultural Confessions: Penance and Repentance in Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter and The Marble Faun.” Renaissance: Essays on Values ​​in Literature 58.2 (2005): 135+. Gale Literary Resources. Internet. March 13, 2014. Weinauer, Ellen. “The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne.” Classics of American Writers. Ed. Jay Parini. Flight. 1. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 2003. 257-279. Gale Literary Resources. Internet. March 13, 2014. Whipple, EP “Review of “The Scarlet Letter, a Romance.” Graham's Magazine 36.5 (May 1850): 345-346. Rep. in 19th century literary criticism. Ed. Laurie Lanzen Harris. Flight. 10. Detroit: Gale Research, 1985. Gale Library Resources. Internet. March 13. 2014.