Throughout The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, nature is used as a symbol to show personal conflict. However, this conflict is not restricted to only interpersonal conflict, but also intrapersonal conflict. Nature is used chiefly to define and describe both the interpersonal relationship found between Hester Prynne, Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale, and to a lesser extent Pearl Prynne, in addition to their respective intrapersonal conflicts. Through its symbolic use, nature conveys much conflict and also nature's ability to outlast and endure all of man's actions. In general, nature in The Scarlet Letter is used as a versatile symbol capable of showing conflict and other relationships.

The rosebush found next to the prison door, as described by Hawthorne in the opening chapter of the novel titled The Prison Door, symbolizes nature's ability to withstand and endure human activities but contrarily also represents either, "some sweet moral blossom that may be...