The number three in HawthorneÆs The Scarlet Letter is highly significant in reinforcing the authorÆs main theme of redemption. Redemption is only possible through oneÆs relationship with oneÆs self, others, and God. Hester Prynne bears her scarlet ôAö through years of ostracism not because she is helpless but because she sees it as a badge of her love for Dimmesdale. The triangular relationship of self, other, and God is what provides or withholds redemption for the individual. The number three is repeated continually throughout the book in order to symbolize the three realms by which we gain redemption; our treatment of self, others, and God.
The number three is observed repeatedly in The Scarlet Letter. Hester Prynne receives a three-year sentence for adultery. When Hester walks out of the prison, carrying the child that is the sign of her adultery, we are told the baby is three-months old. This is significant because it is the baby that symbolizes HesterÆs fall from grace and her need for redemption. There are three scenes revolving around the scaffold, scenes that are highly relevant to the lives of the main characters. As one critic maintains, ôThese three events in the novel have great significance. The first signifies love. The second scaffold scene signifies cowardice. The ending event signifies braveryö (Scaffold 2004, 1).
Three days elapse between the time Dimmesdale writes his sermon and the time he delivers it, a sermon that shows his renewed piety and helps bring him redemption. In relation to the sermon, Dimmesdale has renewed his faith and relationship with God, now that he has resolved his issues with Hester and Dimmesdale. As Frederick C. Crews argues about the moment of DimmesdaleÆs delivery of his sermon, ôWe could say, if we liked, that at this point GodÆs grace has already begun to sustain Dimmesdaleö (367). The case can even be made that there a
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