What does the scaffold symbolize in The Scarlet Letter?
The rosebush was in front of the darkened, horrible prison, among many less desirable plants. I think it symbolized that there is beauty in even the worst of souls. It may serve, let us hope, to symbolize some sweet moral blossom, that may be found along the track, or relieve the darkening of a tale of human frailty and sorrow.
It simply symbolizes the theme of public humiliation in The Scarlet Letter. In case you didn't know, they put people on the scaffold, had them bend over with their head in a lock, and had things thrown at them. This was the way they punished evil-doers.
