The Scarlet Letter · Character
Satan
The embodiment of evil, often invoked by townspeople and Mistress Hibbins.
minor
Also known as the Black Man, Black Man, Man, old Black Man, The Devil
First appearance: ii the marketplace
Satan's tie to Hester Prynne is one of the pressures that moves The Scarlet Letter—worth meeting in the text, not only on a cast list.
Referenced as the Black Man in local superstition; said to haunt the forest and mark people's bosoms.
Free preview opens at this moment — character cards, Character Web, and themes sit beside the text as you read.
With Hester Prynne (psychological): Satan represents the constant temptation and guilt that Hester struggles with internally. With Pearl (psychological): Pearl is often seen as an impish, almost demonic child, embodying…
Continue beside the text
The fuller portrait of Satan sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.
See Satan in ii the marketplaceCharacter Web
12 connectionsA slice of how Satan sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.
Relationship types
- Psychological
Character groups
- Central moral conflict figures
- Protagonist
+7 more in the full Character Web
Open in readerNarrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
In this chapter, the emotional and psychological peak occurs when Hester boldly articulates the escape plan to…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingRelationships
- Hester Prynne
psychological · negative
Satan represents the constant temptation and guilt that Hester struggles with internally. How this plays out →
- Pearl
psychological · ambivalent
- Roger Chillingworth
psychological · negative
- Arthur Dimmesdale
psychological · negative
- John Wilson
psychological · negative
- Governor Bellingham
psychological · negative
- Sir Thomas Overbury
psychological · negative
- Hester Prynne
psychological · negative
Satan represents the constant temptation and guilt that Hester struggles with internally. How this plays out →
- Hester Prynne
psychological · negative
Satan represents the constant temptation and guilt that Hester struggles with internally. How this plays out →
- Roger Chillingworth
psychological · negative
- Pearl
psychological · ambivalent
- Arthur Dimmesdale
psychological · negative
Relationship notes
How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.
See Satan in ii the marketplaceIn the story
Satan appears across 1 companion beat. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.
Chapter companion notes
Spoil-light check-ins for Satan unlock in the free preview.
See Satan in ii the marketplace