What symbols does the forest and town represent?

The forest could be a symbol of darkness where all sorts of evil, including witchcraft or any kind of immorality could happen. In many Hawthorne stories, evil things happen in the forest. As for the town, it is a place where "civilized behavior" should take place. However, in many Hawthorne stories, the civilized behavior which should be there represents a covered-up evil kind of behavior which is released when the Puritans go into the forest.