Furthermore, Hawthorne describes the prison door as being �heavily timbered with oak and studded with iron spikes� which makes the prison seem kind of like a fortress. Through the use of visual imagery Hawthorne creates a somber and gloomy tone that prevails throughout the rest of the novel. He also uses visual imagery when he describes the weeds. He says that they �found something congenial in the soil that had so early borne the black flower of civilized society, a prison.� He compares the prison to a black flower and also portrays the irony that sin is like a weed that you pull but it always comes back.
However, among these weeds, thorns, and spikes, Hawthorne paints an image of beauty. �On one side of the portal, and rooted almost at the threshold, was a wild rosebush covered in this month of June.� The rosebush symbolizes nature�s ability to outlast the punishment of men. Hester is represented with the rosebush, she is grows wild and alienated from society yet she is an image of beauty and passion among the strict puritanical society. However, it�s ironic that the author does not give one clear explanation of what the rosebush could represent showing thus the futileness of symbolic interpretation.
The first page alone of Hawthorne�s most favorite novel is replete with imagery and this repeats itself throughout his writing. Another example of visual imagery the Hawthorne uses is when he describes the scarlet letter so vividly. He says that the letter stood �on the breast of her gown, in fine red cloth, surrounded with elaborate embroidery and fantastic flourishes of gold thread.� The way in which he describes the letter is significant because it shows that Hester is not ashamed of wearing it. Instead of making it look like a burden she makes it look like an ornament. Hester accepts her letter and makes the most out of it with what society allows her.