Books Quote by Nathaniel Hawthorne
““Finding it so directly on the threshold of our narrative, which is now about to issue from that inauspicious portal, we could hardly do otherwise than pluck one of its flowers and present it to the reader. It may serve, let us hope, to symbolize some sweet moral blossom, that may be found along the track, or relieve the darkening close of a tale of human frailty and sorrow.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Scarlet Letter, 1850
The author offers a symbolic flower at a story’s opening to hint at moral beauty amid human weakness.
In simple terms: A flower is used to represent hope and moral growth in a dark tale.
Key Takeaway
Use symbols to foreshadow themes.
Themes
symbolism
hope
human frailty
morality
Mood
reflective
hopeful
Type
literary
inspirational
When to use this quote
- opening of a novel
- teaching moral lessons
- introducing complex characters
Key Concepts
literary symbolism
narrative framing
Questions to Reflect On
- How can a single image capture a story’s moral?
- What other symbols could convey hope?
A Different Perspective
Symbols may oversimplify nuanced suffering.
![“It is a flower that can be opened in many way...Unfold the petals of [your] stories one by one and [you] will see a great deal.” quote by Hyemeyohsts Storm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/26d/hyemeyohsts-storm-61548_flower_it-is-a-flower-that-can-be-opened-in-man_2813049.jpg)
