Back to Literary Analysis

The Scarlet Letter Motifs

Motifs and symbols tracked across analyzed chapters, with links back to chapter summaries and chapter analysis pages.

Scarlet letter

13 occurrencespersistent
Summary ch. 4Analysis ch. 4
Summary ch. 7Analysis ch. 7
Summary ch. 8Analysis ch. 8
Summary ch. 9Analysis ch. 9
Summary ch. 13Analysis ch. 13
Summary ch. 15Analysis ch. 15
Summary ch. 16Analysis ch. 16
Summary ch. 18Analysis ch. 18
Summary ch. 19Analysis ch. 19
Summary ch. 20Analysis ch. 20
Summary ch. 23Analysis ch. 23
Summary ch. 25Analysis ch. 25
Summary ch. 26Analysis ch. 26

forest

3 occurrencespersistent
Summary ch. 7Analysis ch. 7
Summary ch. 20Analysis ch. 20
Summary ch. 22Analysis ch. 22

light vs darkness

3 occurrencespersistent
Summary ch. 13Analysis ch. 13
Summary ch. 19Analysis ch. 19
Summary ch. 25Analysis ch. 25

scaffold

3 occurrencespersistent
Summary ch. 14Analysis ch. 14
Summary ch. 25Analysis ch. 25
Summary ch. 26Analysis ch. 26

black flower

2 occurrencesemerging
Summary ch. 15Analysis ch. 15
Summary ch. 16Analysis ch. 16

brook

2 occurrencesemerging
Summary ch. 20Analysis ch. 20
Summary ch. 22Analysis ch. 22

confession

2 occurrencespersistent
Summary ch. 13Analysis ch. 13
Summary ch. 19Analysis ch. 19

glove

2 occurrencesemerging
Summary ch. 13Analysis ch. 13
Summary ch. 14Analysis ch. 14

light versus darkness

2 occurrencespersistent
Summary ch. 15Analysis ch. 15
Summary ch. 20Analysis ch. 20

Oath of secrecy

2 occurrencesemerging
Summary ch. 5Analysis ch. 5
Summary ch. 6Analysis ch. 6

Pearl as living scarlet letter

2 occurrencespersistent
Summary ch. 10Analysis ch. 10
Summary ch. 14Analysis ch. 14

Prison door

2 occurrencespersistent
Summary ch. 3Analysis ch. 3
Summary ch. 7Analysis ch. 7

scarlet A as a mark

2 occurrencesemerging
Summary ch. 16Analysis ch. 16
Summary ch. 18Analysis ch. 18

scarlet letter as sin

2 occurrencespersistent
Summary ch. 7Analysis ch. 7
Summary ch. 23Analysis ch. 23

sunlight

2 occurrencespersistent
Summary ch. 7Analysis ch. 7
Summary ch. 25Analysis ch. 25

Ancestral legacy

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 2Analysis ch. 2

Armor as the state’s militant aspect

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 9Analysis ch. 9

armor mirror

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 9Analysis ch. 9

babbling brook

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 18Analysis ch. 18

Beadle’s staff

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 4Analysis ch. 4

Black Man legend

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 18Analysis ch. 18

Black Man with iron pen

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 18Analysis ch. 18

black physician's beard

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 13Analysis ch. 13

black weeds

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 12Analysis ch. 12

Black weeds as buried guilt

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 11Analysis ch. 11

Black weeds as hidden sin

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 12Analysis ch. 12

blood‑stained guilt

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 19Analysis ch. 19

bloody scourge

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 13Analysis ch. 13

breath

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 25Analysis ch. 25

broken material links

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 15Analysis ch. 15

cataloguing

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 27Analysis ch. 27

child as bridge

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 14Analysis ch. 14

child as fairy/elf

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 21Analysis ch. 21

child as testimony

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 10Analysis ch. 10

Chillingworth as devil

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 25Analysis ch. 25

Chillingworth’s finger

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 6Analysis ch. 6

Chillingworth’s hand

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 22Analysis ch. 22

color contrast

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 23Analysis ch. 23

confession and secrecy

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 16Analysis ch. 16

Crowd of spectators

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 4Analysis ch. 4

Custom House

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 2Analysis ch. 2

Custom‑House façade

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 2Analysis ch. 2

death

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 26Analysis ch. 26

deerskin robes as otherness

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 23Analysis ch. 23

dense forest

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 18Analysis ch. 18

dialogue of confession

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 12Analysis ch. 12

digging for truth

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 12Analysis ch. 12

Dimmesdale’s hand (guilt)

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 10Analysis ch. 10

disease as metaphor

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 13Analysis ch. 13

dress and finery

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 8Analysis ch. 8

Eagle emblem

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 2Analysis ch. 2

elusive laughter

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 8Analysis ch. 8

embroidered gloves

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 9Analysis ch. 9

embroidery of the letter

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 15Analysis ch. 15

enumeration

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 27Analysis ch. 27

fallen leaves

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 19Analysis ch. 19

fiendish transformation

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 16Analysis ch. 16

Finger gesture over scarlet letter

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 5Analysis ch. 5

fire

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 22Analysis ch. 22

fire imagery for inner torment

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 7Analysis ch. 7

Fire imagery for inner turmoil

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 12Analysis ch. 12

fire in the eyes

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 16Analysis ch. 16

Fire‑like eyes for inner passion

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 8Analysis ch. 8

fire/flame

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 25Analysis ch. 25

flames of the study

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 22Analysis ch. 22

flaring eye

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 16Analysis ch. 16

fleeting sunshine

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 18Analysis ch. 18

flood of sunshine

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 20Analysis ch. 20

flowers and garlands

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 21Analysis ch. 21

footsteps in the woods

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 18Analysis ch. 18

forest moss

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 19Analysis ch. 19

forest shadows

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 19Analysis ch. 19

garden

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 9Analysis ch. 9

Garden as fragile hope

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 9Analysis ch. 9

Gloves as Hester’s bargaining tool

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 10Analysis ch. 10

Gloves as Hester’s skilled offering to power

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 9Analysis ch. 9

governor’s hall

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 9Analysis ch. 9

grave beside King’s Chapel

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 26Analysis ch. 26

grave‑yard weeds

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 11Analysis ch. 11

gray clothing

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 23Analysis ch. 23

gray garment as anonymity

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 23Analysis ch. 23

gray‑robed woman

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 26Analysis ch. 26

green A Pearl fashions

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 17Analysis ch. 17

hand gestures

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 21Analysis ch. 21

healing the sick

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 15Analysis ch. 15

heart as tomb

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 12Analysis ch. 12

herbal medicine

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 11Analysis ch. 11

herbs and roots

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 16Analysis ch. 16

Herbs as natural knowledge versus occult

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 11Analysis ch. 11

Hester’s cap

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 20Analysis ch. 20

Indian companion

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 5Analysis ch. 5

iron chain

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 7Analysis ch. 7

iron link of mutual crime

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 15Analysis ch. 15

iron links for inescapable guilt

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 7Analysis ch. 7

iron pen

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 16Analysis ch. 16

Iron spikes

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 3Analysis ch. 3

iron‑clad book

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 18Analysis ch. 18

isolated wilderness

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 15Analysis ch. 15

journey away from law

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 20Analysis ch. 20

lamp

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 13Analysis ch. 13

lantern

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 14Analysis ch. 14

Leech as relentless tormentor

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 12Analysis ch. 12

Leech representing parasitic revenge

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 11Analysis ch. 11

legacy

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 26Analysis ch. 26

Letter A embroidered in scarlet

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 4Analysis ch. 4

light and shadow

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 14Analysis ch. 14

light of the letter

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 15Analysis ch. 15

Locofoco Surveyor

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 2Analysis ch. 2

maritime outsiders

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 23Analysis ch. 23

marketplace festivities

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 23Analysis ch. 23

maternal love

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 20Analysis ch. 20

Medicinal cup

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 6Analysis ch. 6

medicine

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 22Analysis ch. 22

mermaid costume

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 17Analysis ch. 17

meteor forming the letter A

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 14Analysis ch. 14

meteor/letter A

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 14Analysis ch. 14

ministerial band

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 25Analysis ch. 25

mirror pool image

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 17Analysis ch. 17

Mirror reflecting Hester’s amplified shame

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 9Analysis ch. 9

Mirror reflecting intensified shame

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 12Analysis ch. 12

mirror reflections

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 17Analysis ch. 17

mirrored images

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 21Analysis ch. 21

mirrored scarlet letter

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 12Analysis ch. 12

moss‑covered tree trunk

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 22Analysis ch. 22

mud‑throwing

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 9Analysis ch. 9

music/march

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 25Analysis ch. 25

nature as sanctuary

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 20Analysis ch. 20

needle as creative penance

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 7Analysis ch. 7

needlework

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 7Analysis ch. 7

night vigil

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 14Analysis ch. 14

Oak door

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 3Analysis ch. 3

observation

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 11Analysis ch. 11

Overgrown grass

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 3Analysis ch. 3

Patriarchal authority

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 2Analysis ch. 2

Pearl as a living hieroglyph

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 21Analysis ch. 21

Pearl as bird

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 25Analysis ch. 25

Pearl as living emblem of the scarlet letter

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 8Analysis ch. 8

pearl as preciousness

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 8Analysis ch. 8

Pearl’s bright dress as hope

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 23Analysis ch. 23

Pearl’s flower garland

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 20Analysis ch. 20

physician‑patient dynamic

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 11Analysis ch. 11

Physician’s draughts

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 6Analysis ch. 6

Pillory

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 4Analysis ch. 4

pillory as public judgment

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 23Analysis ch. 23

Pillory platform

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 4Analysis ch. 4

playful exploration

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 17Analysis ch. 17

pleas for mercy

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 10Analysis ch. 10

prayer versus law

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 10Analysis ch. 10

procession of officials

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 23Analysis ch. 23

public accusation

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 10Analysis ch. 10

public holiness vs private shame

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 13Analysis ch. 13

Public interrogation

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 5Analysis ch. 5

Public spectacle

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 4Analysis ch. 4

questioning

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 17Analysis ch. 17

rebirth and renewal

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 20Analysis ch. 20

redemption

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 26Analysis ch. 26

reflected Pearl in water

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 21Analysis ch. 21

removal of symbols of guilt

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 20Analysis ch. 20

revenge

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 26Analysis ch. 26

Revenge versus redemption

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 6Analysis ch. 6

Rich clothing as outward rebellion

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 8Analysis ch. 8

Rose‑bush at threshold

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 3Analysis ch. 3

sailor’s ribbons as lawlessness

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 23Analysis ch. 23

Salem heritage

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 2Analysis ch. 2

scarlet A as a cross

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 15Analysis ch. 15

scarlet A on Hester’s chest

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 17Analysis ch. 17

scarlet letter as burden

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 21Analysis ch. 21

Scarlet letter as burning token

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 6Analysis ch. 6

scarlet letter debate

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 10Analysis ch. 10

scarlet letter on breast

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 26Analysis ch. 26

Scorching scarlet letter

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 6Analysis ch. 6

sea shells and tide pools

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 17Analysis ch. 17

sea‑weed scarf

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 17Analysis ch. 17

secrecy

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 11Analysis ch. 11

secret guilt

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 13Analysis ch. 13

Secret identity quest

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 5Analysis ch. 5

section titles

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 27Analysis ch. 27

self‑sacrifice

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 15Analysis ch. 15

silence

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 19Analysis ch. 19

speechlessness

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 22Analysis ch. 22

stormy temper

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 8Analysis ch. 8

Stranger with Indian guide

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 5Analysis ch. 5

sunlight caught by Pearl

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 18Analysis ch. 18

table of contents

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 27Analysis ch. 27

temptation

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 22Analysis ch. 22

thatched cottage as isolated home

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 7Analysis ch. 7

the badge as a talisman

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 15Analysis ch. 15

the brook separating worlds

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 21Analysis ch. 21

the brook’s melancholy voice

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 18Analysis ch. 18

the cold hand

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 19Analysis ch. 19

the embroidered badge

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 17Analysis ch. 17

the forest’s darkness

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 18Analysis ch. 18

the hidden book

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 16Analysis ch. 16

the letter A

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 17Analysis ch. 17

the looming tree

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 19Analysis ch. 19

the mermaid disguise

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 17Analysis ch. 17

the physician’s basket

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 16Analysis ch. 16

the scarlet letter

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 21Analysis ch. 21

the scarlet letter itself

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 26Analysis ch. 26

the storm‑clouded sky

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 19Analysis ch. 19

tombstone escutcheon

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 26Analysis ch. 26

unfinished sermon

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 22Analysis ch. 22

vengeful obsession

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 16Analysis ch. 16

water/brook as boundary

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 21Analysis ch. 21

Wharf decay

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 2Analysis ch. 2

Wild flowers as natural freedom

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 8Analysis ch. 8

wild play

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 8Analysis ch. 8

Wild rose

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 3Analysis ch. 3

wildflowers in hair

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 21Analysis ch. 21

witch Hibbins

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 22Analysis ch. 22

yellow‑starched ruff

1 occurrencessingle-hit
Summary ch. 22Analysis ch. 22