The Red "A"
The A not only symbolizes something on its own, but it is also like the wild rose bush. The Rose bush stands in front of the prison and is the first thing you would see as you walk in the prison. Also the Red "A" is on the breast of her gown for everyone to see. Hawthorne described the A as so artistically done and with so much fertility and gorgeous luxuriance of fancy. Which i think is ironic because it is supposed to mean Adulterer, and represent a sin that she committed. Like the rose bush, it shows that there is still hope even though you have committed a sin.
Polly - good look at the A. The "A" does stand for adulterer and is the sin she has committed. The "A" is suppose to serve as a reminder of her sin, but the art of the piece made serve to tell us that Hawthorne doesn't agree with the sin or the puritans view of Hester. The "A" will also make Hester an outcast.
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