Themes, symbols, and motifs come alive when you use a storyboard. In this activity, students will identify themes and symbols from the book, and support their choices with details from the text. This book is particularly rich in symbolism, so as a classroom activity, students can track the rich symbolic and thematic writing Hawthorne uses.
The novel centers around the sin of Hester Prynne in her Puritan society. The sin of adultery, even though her husband is thought to have been lost at sea, is not something that can be discussed or argued about in 17th-century Boston. Hester’s sin follows her for the rest of her life, and she begins to fear that the sin of passion she shares with Dimmesdale has been embodied in her daughter Pearl, who is full of passion and light, very much unlike the standards of Puritan Boston.
Dimmesdale is haunted by his guilt from not coming forward as Pearl’s father for seven years. His internal struggles become external problems, and even the townspeople notice. When Chillingworth arrives, posing as a doctor, the townspeople believe divine providence has sent him to Boston to help their dear Reverend overcome his illness.
Hester and Pearl live in isolation during their time in Boston. They live in a small shack, and they are shunned by the townspeople for many years. They are mocked by children, avoided by adults, and Hester is often the topic of the weekly sermon at church. Her only connection to the town is through her seamstress work.
The rosebush is the one, beautiful piece of nature that blossoms against the gray of the prison in the center of town. When Hester walks out of the prison door to her punishment on the scaffold, the rosebush reflects her beauty in a sea of gray, her uniqueness in a town of judgment and frowns.
The scaffold serves as stage for many of the novel’s key moments: it is the scene of Hester’s punishment, where she stands alone holding baby Pearl, enduring the town’s shame. The reader sees Dimmesdale connected to Hester and Pearl; their first time together as a family. Chillingworth is watching this same scene and hiding in the shadows, plotting his revenge. Finally, the scaffold is where Dimmesdale delivers his final sermon, rips open his shirt, and reveals the letter “A” engraved into his chest, thus confessing his sin of adultery and crushing the dream he and Hester had of escaping to a new life in Europe.
The letter A, for “Adultery”, is, at first, a source of shame and guilt for Hester. As time wears on and Hester works among the people, however, it comes to mean “Able”, because she is a quiet, prudent worker who does a lot for those in need. While Hester, Dimmesdale, and Pearl are united on the scaffold in the middle of the night, a meteor in the shape of an “A” lights up the sky, signifying to the reader that this is the family we have been waiting to be revealed. Finally, it is said that when Dimmesdale rips open his shirt, as he dies after his Election Day sermon, the letter “A” was engraved into his chest, signifying his part in the affair with Hester, and his guilt for allowing Hester to carry their burdensome secret alone.
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Student Instructions
Create a storyboard that identifies recurring themes in The Scarlet Letter. Illustrate instances of each theme and write a short description below each cell.
Promote critical thinking by organizing debates where students defend different interpretations of key symbols like the letter “A” or the rosebush. This helps students engage deeply with the novel’s themes and symbolism while building speaking and listening skills.
Divide the class so each group investigates one symbol or motif, such as the scaffold or the rosebush. Ask them to find passages and explain how their symbol evolves throughout the story, giving students ownership of their learning.
Have students draw or digitally design maps connecting symbols to characters, events, and themes. Visual mapping builds comprehension and helps students see patterns in Hawthorne’s use of symbolism.
Ask students to write as Hester, Dimmesdale, or Pearl, reflecting on the meaning of a specific symbol in their lives. This exercise deepens empathy and understanding of how symbols shape character experiences.
Display student-created storyboards around the classroom and let students circulate, leaving feedback. This interactive approach encourages peer learning and showcases a variety of perspectives on the novel’s symbols and themes.
The Scarlet Letter explores major themes such as sin, guilt, isolation, and redemption. Key symbols include the letter “A” (adultery, then able), the rosebush (hope and beauty), and the scaffold (public confession and judgment).
Use interactive activities like storyboarding to help students identify and illustrate symbols and themes. Have students find examples from the text and explain their significance, making abstract ideas more concrete and relatable.
The letter “A” is a central symbol, representing adultery and Hester’s shame. Over time, it comes to mean “able” as Hester proves her strength and kindness, showing how symbols can change meaning through personal growth.
The rosebush outside the prison symbolizes hope, beauty, and resilience in a harsh Puritan society. It contrasts the grayness and judgment of Boston, reflecting Hester’s unique spirit.
Assign students to create storyboards that illustrate recurring themes and symbols from the novel. This visual activity encourages close reading and helps students explain ideas using both images and text.