Pearl, the outcome of the relation between Hester Prynne and Reverend Dimmesdale, is the very embodiment of Hester. Pearl represents them same thing the scarlet letter represents in once sense, as both are bound to Hester forever and are both outcomes of her sin. Both Pearl and the letter A add to the anguish and pain that the scarlet letter offer from her mother's sin. Pearl is not just a reminder of the deed like the scarlet letter, but actually helps in the torturing of her mother without knowing it.
As it did to Hester, the scarlet letter became a big part in Pearls life. Ultimately Hester overcomes the shame associated the scarlet letter and creates a sense of family for herself and Pearl.
This relationship is integral to the theme of this novel and the development of its characters. In the novel The Scarlet Letter, Nathanial Hawthorne expresses his theme, guilt and blame through the characterization and symbolism of Pearl and the scarlet letter. As we know, following Hester's act of adultery, she became pregnant with Pearl and we get the sense that there is something strange and unnatural about her when first introduced. This is relevant to her symbolism and the many attributes that she represents.
Throughout the novel, her symbolism involves innocence, sin, and evil. Furthermore, it is also possible that her name in itself is used to symbolize different elements like a pearl; a treasure much like Pearl becomes for Hester Hawthorne Most readers pay attention to Hester because of her sinful act and the hardships she endures.
Pearl is a very complex and important aspect to the story. Even though her mother committed a sinful act of adultery, Pearl still looks up to her mother with love and grace.
Nathaniel Hawthorne's Scarlet Letter is no different. The very basis of every character, their personal appearance and way they act revolves around one thing, the Scarlet Letter. The scarlet letter is an "A", in crimson fabric, worn by a Puritan woman for her act of adultery.
Its very existence is solely to cause shame and remorse on Hester Prynne and her daughter Pearl, who was conceived in her lust, but it comes to stand for so much more. See ye not, she is the scarlet letter, only capable of being loved, and so endowed with a millionfold the Power of retribution of my sin?
Her behavior is wild and fierce which Hester states by saying, "She could recognize her wild, desperate, defiant mood, the flightiness of her temper, and even some of the very cloud-shapes of gloom and despondency that had brooded in her heart. Pearl does change her personality when she gets older and she finally gets to meet her father, Dimmesdale. There is a distinctive change in personality where Dimmesdale and Pearl meet at the scaffold because she has seemed to act calm and not as crazy when she is with her father.
Possibly her attitude changes because she has always wanted her family to be whole again or the fact that she has someone else to be with. Ever since Pearl was a baby, her mother notices the connection. Covering up the letter with Pearl would not do any good because like the letter, Pearl is showing that Hester has committed adultery. She shows this connection between Pearl and her letter again when she visits the Governor by dressing….
Instead, Chillingworth feels that the scarlet letter is enough to punish her. The events of the story prove him right, as the curse of the scarlet letter continue burden Hester. It brings her shame and isolates her from the rest of the community as the people avoid her and reject her from society. Essays Essays FlashCards. Browse Essays. Sign in. Essay Sample Check Writing Quality. What does Dimmesdale believe he sees when the meteor lights up the night sky?
How does Pearl react when she first sees her mother without the scarlet A? What makes Hester and Reverend Dimmesdale finally feel hope about their future? Why does Hester choose the forest to meet Dimmesdale and Chillingworth? What does the last sentence of the novel mean? Society Empathy. Literary Devices Symbols. The Scarlet Letter The scarlet letter is meant to be a symbol of shame, but instead it becomes a powerful symbol of identity to Hester.
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