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"It was, in short, the platform of the pillory; and above it rose the framework of that instrument of discipline, so fashioned as to confine the human head in its tight grasp, and thus hold it up to the public gaze. The very ideal of ignominy was embodied and made manifest in this contrivance of wood and iron. There can be no outrage, methinks, against our common nature - whatever be the delinquencies of the individual - no outrage more flagrant than to forbid the culprit to hide his face for shame; as it was the essence of this punishment to do." - Hawthorne 11

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The pillory greets the reader in the beginnings of the book and waves them farewell near the end. It marks the start of Hester's punishment and the close, and it also symbolizes truth. Dimmesdale relieves himself of the burden of his sin upon the platform of the pillory once in the dark of the night and once in the bright of the day before the townsfolk. Though it is a place of punishment that is where he found his burden lifted - though that is where Hester was punished it is where her family officially began. It is, like Dimmesdale holding his hand over his heart, a shadowy-like symbol, something in the middle ground between the symbolism of the scarlet letter and the forest, solidifying this story with a thick, three layered state of being that gives it such a masterful quality.

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The symbolism of Dimmesdale and his newfound habit of placing his hand over his heart is one of the more subtle, in a way a shadow or reflection of Hester's scarlet letter she must wear, similar to the sun's light glancing off the moon to create a paler imitation of the original. He, too, bears a heavy burden of sin in his heart. Though he doesn't have to wear it Hawthorne has him clutch his chest as if it's being branded into him whenever he finds himself upset or confronted with Hester and Pearl. It's important and gives the story an extra layer of depth to it; without it the scarlet letter would not hold as much significance as it does.

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"And, mother, he has his hand over his heart! Is it because, when the minister wrote his name in the book, the Black Man set his mark in that place? But why does he not wear it outside his bosom, as thou dost, mother?" - Hawthorn 128

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"But the point which drew all eyes, and, as it were, transfigured the wearer - so Hester Prynne were now impressed as if they beheld her for the first time - was that scarlet letter so fantastically embroidered and illuminated upon her bosom. It had the effect of a spell, taking her out of the ordinary relations with humanity, and enclosing her in a sphere by herself." - Hawthorne 10

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The scarlet letter is the most prominent symbol in the entire story and possibly one of the most well known in the world of literature. It captures the attention of the readers and characters alike as well as never leaves the story for a moment. It's the juicy, red cherry on top, the blood of the story, and main symbol. It represents Hester's sin, shame, and even, to the townsfolk as the years go by, her ability to work so hard in good deeds. It's mention brings everyone to a start and turns every eye. It's startling slash of color on an otherwise calm painting, and its boldness in the story is what makes it something to be remembered through time. Without this big splash that is somehow, in some ways, ordinary to a culture like the Puritans, the story would have been lost in time long ago. Hawthorne's ability to capture a conflict that is historically accurate and still make it something amazing is a true testament to his skills as a writer, and it's all remembered by the scarlet letter.

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Pearl, the child of the main character, Hester, is an odd girl and a more forward symbol of the yin-yang conflict that is show in the forest and the day versus night. She is impish unrest and wild emotion in an orderly, lawful Puritan town, a stain of darkness and mystery in the brightness of the sun, and a harsh light of knowledge and truth in the black of the night. She is an unnerving symbol that no secret is truly kept hidden, that sin breeds more sin, and that consequences can either lead us out of a trial with a better heart or a worsened soul. She is present in critical moments and always has other characters questioning hers and their own true nature. Her placement and knowledge of things is often uncanny, making it hard to believe such a kind of child could exist. Despite this, what she symbolizes still makes its way to the surface of the text without costing the integrity of the story.

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Her mother, while Pearl was yet an infant, grew acquainted with a certain peculiar look, that warned her when it would be labour thrown away to insist, persuade, or plead.

It was a look so intelligent, yet inexplicable, perverse, sometimes so malicious, but generally accompanied by a wild flow of spirits, that Hester could not help questioning at such moments whether Pearl was a human child. She seemed rather an airy sprite, which, after playing its fantastic sports for a little while upon the cottage floor, would flit away with a mocking smile. Whenever that look appeared in her wild, bright, deeply black eyes, it invested her with a strange remoteness and intangibility; it was as if she were hovering in the air, and might vanish, like a glimmering light that comes we know not whence and goes we know not whither." - Hawthorn 42

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"What a strange, sad man is he!" said the child, as if speaking partly to herself. "In the dark night-time, he calls us to him, and holds thy hand and mine, as when we stood with him on the scaffold yonder! And in the deep forest, where only the old trees can hear, and the strip of sky see it, he talks with thee, sitting on a heap of moss! And he kisses my forehead, too, so that the little brook would hardly wash it off! But, here, in the sunny day, and among all the people, he knows us not; nor must we know him! A strange, sad man is he, with his hand always over his heart!" - Hawthorn 165-166

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Like the forest symbolism, day and night in this story has a sort of yin-yang force behind it. During the day things are revealed and open like Hester's sin and punishment up on the pillory and her confrontation with the town leaders about being allowed to keep her child. At night, however, things are hidden and mysterious just as the nightly meeting of the witches and the Black Man, and the first conversation between Hester and her husband, revealing his true identity and a promise to keep it secret, are. It, like the symbol of the forest, is more woven into the background and creates more of an aura than a symbol that is solid and obvious.

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The forest is a subtle background symbol that is as deep and powerful as a heartbeat. It represents unchecked, rampant emotion, lawlessness, and yin-yang-like struggles from light and darkness to the rigidness of the Puritan town and the wildness of the woods. Its background effect is necessary for it to hold any weight and has been masterfully weaved into the story so it creates a strong background setting both visually and sensorally. It gives a deeper meaning to everything that goes on in and around it including the talk between Hester and Pearl, Hester and Dimmesdale, and the fact that Hester's house is located at the forest's edge.

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"All these giant trees and boulders of granite seemed intent on making a mystery of the course of this small brook; fearing, perhaps, that, with its never-ceasing loquacity, it should whisper tales out of the heart of the old forest whence it flowed, or mirror its revelations on the smooth surface of a pool. Continually, soothing, but melancholy, like the voice of a young child that was spending its infancy without playfulness, and knew not how to be merry among sad acquaintance and events of sombre hue." - Hawthorn 126-127