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Symbolism is used throughout Hawthorne’s literary works. In the three short stories: The Birthmark, The Minister’s Black Veil, and Young Goodman Brown symbolism is used to show the thoughts of the Puritans in opposition to their beliefs. In t ....

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... to shield himself from the townspeople. The townspeople, being ignorant, are frightened of this veil and what may lie underneath. They see it as a symbol of evil. Aylmer from The Birthmark symbolizes the puritan beliefs and goal of purification. The birthmark on his wife’s cheek is a symbol for perfection. Being the shape of a hand suggests to the townspeople that it is handprint from an angel, which may also mean that it is a symbol for good. The townspeople look at the birthmark as a blessing, but Aylmer sees it as an imperfection and seeks to rid of it in the same way the Puritans sought to perfect themselves. She dies as a re ...