What device does Nathaniel Hawthorne use throughout The Scarlet Letter to encourage readers to think carefully and critically about the novel's meaning?

Question

metaphor

characterization

foreshadowing

textual ambiguity

Answer 1

In "The Scarlet Letter," Nathaniel Hawthorne primarily uses textual ambiguity to encourage readers to think carefully and critically about the novel's meaning. Hawthorne frequently presents situations, characters, and moral dilemmas that can be interpreted in multiple ways, prompting readers to engage deeply with the text and consider different perspectives and themes. This ambiguity invites reflection on issues such as sin, guilt, and societal judgment, making the reader's interpretation an essential part of understanding the novel.