52 DJ

chapter 22:
this is not actually a symbol, just something interesting:

"Men of uncommon intellect, who have grown morbid, possess this occasional power of mighty effort, into which they throw the life of many days and then are lifeless for as many more."

first, Nate H. gives a general aphorism, but in the very following line he links this to his character:

"Hester Prynne, gazing steadfastly at the clergyman, felt a dreary influence come over her, but wherefore or whence she knew not, unless that he seemed so remote from her own sphere, and utterly beyond her reach"

He's telling us that he's going to die.