Scarlet Letter Alphabet Book

The Scarlet Letter ABC

By Daniel Moody

A - The Scarlet A

The letter A refers to the scarlet letter
which Hester wore on her as a symbol for
her act of adultery. This symbol follows
her throughout the book physically and
being the only thing on her grave when
she dies.

B - Baby (Pearl)

B stands for Baby, which in itself stands
for Pearl. Pearl was one of the most
symbolic figures in the book representing
innocence and even a personification of
Hester’s sin.

C - Chillingsworth

C stands for Chillingsworth since he was
such an influential character and the one
of the main drives for conflict throughout
the book. His physical appearance even
begins to degrade as the book goes on
correlating with how evil he has become.

D - Dimmesdale

D stands for Dimmesdale because
Dimmesdale was one of the most dynamic
characters throughout the book. He went
from one of the most highly regarded
church officials to a guilt-ridden reverend,
eventually revealing this at the end of the
story.

E - Embroidery

E stands for Embroidery because of the
designs Hester made during her time she
spent away from society. This hobby
became a second job for her, allowing her
to make wonderful suits and dresses for
high ranking officials for any event except
weddings.

F - Facade

F stands for Facade because of the false
face Dimmesdale and Chillingworth had
to have to keep a positive public eye.
Behind closed doors however they are able
to reveal their true intentions and actions
without the fear of public ridicule.

G -Governor

G stands for the Governor and his
impact on the story. The Governor
represents authority and discipline which
threatens Hester and Pearl. When he dies
this symbolizes the beginning of the end
of the story.

H - Hester

H stands for Hester because of the
influence she had in the book. She
changed the most throughout the book.
Starting as a shamed sinner, eventually
becoming sort of respect in society and
leading a legacy beyond her and
chillingworth.

I - Indians

I stands for Indians because of how it
was largely responsible for the events in
the Scarlet Letter. If Chillingworth was
not captured and held captive, Hester
would not have been able to commit
adultery and the events of the story would
never have happened.

J - Jail

J stands for Jail because it is where the
whole story begins. The initiation of
Hester’s punishment which will follow her
throughout the entire plot of the book.

K - Karma

K stands for Karma since it is always
hiding in the backstage of the story.
Dimmesdale was affected by this to the
point where he started injuring himself
under Chillingworth’s “care”. Eventually
climaxing at the end of the book when
Dimmesdale exposes the Scarlet Letter on
his chest.

L - Loss

L stands for loss because of the loss of
purity and innocence when Hester is put
on trial. From that point forward Hester
lost the woman she was before and
transformed into an outcast from society.
However she still retained qualities of who
she was before but with a permanent mark
of sin.

M - Mean

The letter M signifies the relationship of
the Puritan inhabitants in the town
toward Hester and Pearl. The children
and even the adults in the town called
them names and insulted them for
Hester’s sin. Pearl gets fed up over time
and retaliates, which scares the children
and the adults.

N - Newborn

N stands for newborn because it
specifically refers to when Pearl was born.
When Pearl was born it created a living
symbol of Hester’s sin and it would follow
her and Dimmesdale for their entire lives
as well as thickening the plot.

O - Oblivious

The letter O refers to the oblivious
scarlet letter that was on Hester’s bosom
and Dimmesdale’s chest. Near the end of
the book DImmesdale’s mark was
oblivious when he revealed it yet the
people still argued of its existence.

P - Puritan

P stands of Puritan because it’s the main
religion in the town. The values and rules
of the religion are what determines the
foundation for the book. Being the basis
for Hester’s punishment and how she
became a social outcast from other
Puritans.

Q - Question

Q stands for Question because of how
many people question Hester throughout
the book. Pearl constantly questions
Hester over the Scarlet Letter, The people
question Hester over who the husband is.

R - Rosebush

R stands for Rosebush because of its
significance throughout the story. The
rosebush was described as the silver lining
to the prison. This bush was referenced
throughout the book by Pearl when she
was questioned by the Governor which
almost makes Hester lose custody.

S - Scaffolding

S stands for Scaffolding, the Scaffolding
in the Scarlet Letter represents a physical
place of punishment. At this place
Dimmesdale goes to reflect on his sin and
repents.

T - Tragedy

T is for Tragedy because the Scarlet
Letter is a book of tragedy. The book does
not really have a happy ending, with
Dimmesdale and Chillingworth dying
almost immediately and leaving a bitter
taste at the end of the book. The only
good thing to come out of it is being
Dimmesdale escaping punishment by
Chillingworth before boarding the ship.

U - Understanding

U stands for understanding because of
how the people of what is now
Massachusetts began to understand
Hester’s situation. They even started to
respect her a little bit due to her pushing
through her punishment.

V - Voyage

V stands for Voyage because Hester,
Dimmesdale, and Pearl were planning on
sailing to England together. But by a
sudden turn of events Dimmesdale dies
after revealing his own Scarlet letter and
escapes Chillingworth. This was the
better outcome because he was going to
board on the same boat to seemingly
torture Dimmesdale.

W - Weakness

W stands for Weakness because the
physical weakness Dimmesdale had
because of the secret he kept. This
weakness ate at him throughout the book
and over took him to drive him to death
when he eventually shed this weakness.

X - eXamination

X stands for Examination because of how
much Chillingworth vowed to find the
man Hester committed adultery with.
This strive to find whoever did it became
his main focus and reason for living,
eventually failing in the end to just die a
year later.

Y - Yearn

Y stands for Yearn because of the
enormous temptation Hester and
Dimmesdale had which led them to
commit the sin of adultery together.

Z - Zing

Z stands for Zing because of the feeling
the book gives at the end of the book.
When everything is revealed to the public
at the book it leaves a stinging feeling of
the plot