Rhetorical Analysis on the Scarlet Letter

Hawthorne effectively depicts the usage of prolonged metaphors, foreshadowing and language throughout the Scarlet Letter to easily get hold or comprehend the reader’s mindful minds.
To start with the usage of the extended metaphors-the lengthening of the average metaphor was developed in this passage to completely describe Pearls response to Reverend Dimmesdale’s approach. “The kid, with bird-like movement which was one of her attributes, flew to him, and gripped her arms about his knees,” is an amazing example of the representation of a prolonged metaphor.

By saying that one of Pearls qualities was having bird-like motion informs the reader she is moving promptly or gracefully. Then for Hawthorne to say she “flew to him,” people can’t fly, therefore extends the metaphor. The result of this rhetorical gadget was to magnify the impact of both Pearls and Reverend Dimmesdale’s connection and develop an emotional stirring for Hester’s spouse, disguised as Old Roger Chillingworth.

Hawthorne also developed a successful way to portray sensory details throughout the excerpt to predict, or foreshadow, the coming horror of Dimmesdale’s confession.

“…for my own heavy sin and miserable agony-I withheld myself from doing so seven years ago…” helps the reader to connect the dots, they are able to tell what comes next. Dimmesdale is finally coming clean about the sin he committed, created, seven years ago and agrees that he deserves the correct and rightful punishment for his wrongful doing. Hawthorne used this to put the reader in shock and ask questions. The reader can easily predict that the townspeople are going to be furious because the so called “Man of God” has committed a sinful crime.

Finally the way Hawthorne told the story creates a very dark and gloomy setting. Using words such as “heavy sin”, “miserable agony”, and “sin-born” produce a very negative environment and feeling and gives the reader a sense
of curiosity and a fearful type of wonderment throughout the passage. Hawthorne uses language to grasp the reader’s attention to make an emotional connection on a more personable level to the reader mind and imagination.

Hawthorne effectively demonstrates the purpose of the Scarlet Letter by proficiently portraying the use of extended metaphors, foreshadowing Dimmesdale’s unlawful resignation from the church, and he also uses language to help alter the reader’s mind about the environment or the situation being discussed in the passage.