The Symbolism of the Black Man and the Forest

The Symbolism of the Black Man and the Forest

Symbolism can be used to show the inner meaning of an action or object. In the novel The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, there was a lot of symbolism. Some symbolic aspects of this story were the Black Man and the forest.

The significance of the forest in The Scarlet Letter is great. Oftentimes the forest symbolizes the state of being lost spiritually. Hester and Dimmesdale had met in the forest showing that they are both lost morally in a sin they shared together. The forest represents giving up from the loss of faith. The darkness of the forest also shows that Hester and Dimmesdale are not complete without each other. The forest gives them freedom to be with each other.

Dimmesdale's moral confusion had led him into the forest where he was at risk of selling his soul to the Black Man. The Black Man represents the devil tempting Hester and Dimmesdale. Mistress Hibbins had asked Hester to dance before the Black Man in the forest. Hester had passed on this request because of her daughter, Pearl, is still in her life. Hester and Dimmesdale are both fighting the temptation of giving in to the Black Man in the forest.

Chillingworth's use of his medicinal herbs relates him to the forest where he collects his medicine. Chillingworth's use of the forest symbolizes the evil he has acquired from the devil. Chillingworth has grown evil from refusing to forgive and to seek revenge on Dimmesdale.

The forest can also represent sin, where the deeper into the forest you go the closer you come to the devil. The symbolism of the forest and the Black Man is significant in The Scarlet Letter. These symbols help to reflect the mood in which these events occur.