How does the author use symbolism in the novel, A Book of American Martyrs?

Luther has two identifying bodily markers that Oates uses as symbols to explore his character: his Felice Sipper scars, and the birthmark on his face. As a teenager, Luther assaulted and raped a young teenage classmate named Felice Sipper. Felice stabs him with a jackknife afterwards, leaving him wounded and bleeding. Luther would take it as a warning from Jesus that he went to far - and will stroke his scars afterwards as a comfort. Instead of seeing this as a sign from Felice to treat women with respect, he takes it as a punishment from God - denying Felice’s agency. His birthmark on his face, Oates describes, “shaped like a spade, of a coarse red sandpaper skin-texture” on his left cheek (24). He is very insecure about this mark, referring to his shame, and slapping away women’s hands when they touch it. As he dies he feels is melt away. This spade birthmark symbolizes both the good and evil in Luther - mark of the devil or touched by an angel, as some old sayings say. As he dies, it is washed away.