The very last sentence in The Scarlet Letter, which was written by Nathaniel Hawthorne, says this, “So somber it is and relieved only by one ever-glowing point of light gloomier than the shadow: - ‘ON A FIELD, SABLE, THE LETTER A, GULES.’” This sentence is a description if what symbol can be found on the grave of Hester Prynne. The tombstone on the grave of Hester Prynne bears the same scarlet letter that Hester bore on her bosom most of her life. This statement seems to say that amongst the darkness and gloominess of the grave, there is one small ray of light glowing. The glowing comes from a bright red letter A; the scarlet letter.
This quote is significant to the life of Hester Prynne in looking at the legacy she left behind. Looking at the fact that Hester bore the burning of the scarlet letter for many years on Earth as well as when she went to the grave, helps one to see that the choices a person makes affects him/her for the rest of his/her life and possibly longer. Most people want to leave a legacy of some kind when they leave and in Hester’s case, she will forever be known as an adulterer. When people go to visit Hester’s grave, they will not see a legacy of how well she raised her daughter, or of the love she had for others, or even her great skill with the needle, they will only see the scarlet letter and therefore remember her for being an adulterer. Hester’s life could serve as an example for generations to come to see how important it is to make wise decisions. Although Hester was able to help many people through rough times and offer counseling to people who made bad mistakes as well, she will not be remembered for her counseling or for her help. The only thing remembered about her is symbolized by a burning, glowing scarlet letter A.
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