Nathaniel hawthornes the scarlet letter, symbolsim is constantly present in the actual scarlet letter a as it is viewed as a symbol of sin and the gradally changes its meanign, guilt is also a mejore symbol, and. Even as a baby, she instinctively reaches for the scarlet letter. Scarlet letter pearl as a symbol essay examples 630 words. She is compared to the living version of the scarlet letter. Pearl, throughout the story, develops into a dynamic individual, as well as an extremely important symbol one who is constantly changing. Pearl also functions as a constant reminder of hesters adulterous act. On the one hand, pearl is the symbol of her parents sin because of her identity as the illegitimate child. Although pearl is definitely a positive, spirit building, influence on hesters life, pearls main role as the scarlet letter proves to challenge hesters resolve. Hawthorne brilliantly connects hesters openly displayed shame with dimmesdales secret shame by having both characters touch the spot where the scarlet letter is displayed. The scarlet letter, nathanial hawthornes 1850 novel of a 17 th century adulterous affair in the massachusetts bay colony, centers on several themes that would have been very meaningful to the highly religious, preindustrial community in which it is set. Pearl children are incredibly sensitive and can sense almost any emotion of an adult by observing body language and facial expressions. She must wear the scarlet letter a on her body as punishment for her adulterous affair with arthur dimmesdale, the town minister. Set in puritan massachusetts bay colony during the years 1642 to 1649, the novel tells the story of hester prynne who conceives a daughter through an affair and then struggles to create a new life of repentance and dignity.
Such is the case with the youthful pearl from the novel the scarlet letter, by nathaniel hawthorne. She implies that because she is a child and not yet a woman, she doesnt wear the same symbol that hester does. The scarlet letter is the story of hester prynne, who is forced to wear a letter a on her clothing as a reminder of the adultery that led to the birth of her child, pearl. Scarlet letter pearl essay american literature c portfolio. Oct 05, 20 in chapter 6 of the scarlet letter, the infant which hester prynne constantly carries around, finally has its name and character fully revealed. Pearl therefore hints at her belief that she will someday end up with a similar symbol, which she imagines to be a natural part of being an adult woman. Pearl as a symbol in the scarlet letter the scarlet letter, written by nathaniel hawthorne is a book of much symbolism. Hawthorne says it is the first object of which she seemed aware, and she focuses on the letter in many scenes. A first read of the scarlet letter would give the impression that pearls temper is a result of how she was conceived. Pearl character analysis in the scarlet letter litcharts. Mistress hibbins invites hester to the forest and hester says if the governor takes her child away she will gladly go.
The symbolic meaning of pearl prynne in the scarlet letter. Pearl defines hesters identity and purpose and gives hester a companion to love. Romanticism is categorized as a preference for simplicity and naturalness, a love of plain feelings and truth to common place reality, especially as found in natural scenes. Thus the young and pure would be taught to look at her, with the scarlet letter flaming on her breast,at her, the child of honorable parents,at her, the mother of a babe, that would hereafter be a woman, at her, who had once been innocent, as the figure, the body, the reality of sin. Pearl is wearing a scarlet dress with gold embroidery. Pearl, throughout the story, develops into a dynamic symbol one that is always changing. While the puritans see her as a demon, the reader comes to see her as a kind of naturesprite.
Taking a handful of these, she arranged them along the lines of the scarlet letter that decorated the maternal bosom, to which the burrs, as their nature was, tenaciously adhered. One of the most complex and misunderstood symbols in the book is pearl, the daughter of hester prynne. Puritan law is strict and the consequences for transgression are severe. The scarlet letter was her passport into regions where other women dared not tread. Shes the pearl of great price who ends up restoring their souls. Pearl is the living, breathing scarlet letter, the token of her mothers adultery. To pearl the scarlet letter is her mother because shes never seen hester without it and without the a hester wouldnt be her mother in appearance anymore to pearl. An affair between a young woman and a pastor has disastrous consequences. Pearl, seemingly much to young to understand her mothers situation, begs hester and chillingworth to explain what the scarlet letter means and why hester has it. In nathaniel hawthornes novel the scarlet letter pearl, being the result of hesters crime of adultery, is illustrated as more than just a child originating from a night of sin.
What are the personality differences in hester and pearl. The character of pearl in hawthornes the scarlet letter. These had been her teachers,stern and wild ones,and they had made her strong, but taught her much amiss. The obvious way to read the the scarlet letter is to say that pearl ends up redeeming both her mom and dimmesdale. Pearl is characterized as a living version of the scarlet letter. The tendency of her fate and fortunes had been to set her free. Much to the consternation of her puritan society, hester dresses pearl in outfits of gold or red or both. Symbolism used in the scarlet letter 1071 words 5 pages. One of the most complex and elaborate characters in the scarlet letter is pearl, the daughter of hester prynne and arthur dimmesdale. He wanted to expose the immorality that was committed by two parents of a daughter called pearl. Hester is married to roger chillingworth, but while hester awaited her husbands arrival from amsterdam, she met dimmesdale and engaged in the. An important part of pearls character is the way that she is developed as being somehow. Pearl was the representation of hesters affair with that priest man.
A romance is a work of historical fiction by american author nathaniel hawthorne, published in 1850. Their conversation reminds us that, as a symbol, pearl is also the conscience of a number of people. Pearl was a devilish child and so represented the evil that hester had committed. With demi moore, gary oldman, robert duvall, lisa andoh. Pearl, as previously stated in my other blog post, serves as an indicator of hester prynnes. An important part of pearl s character is the way that she is developed as being somehow. The novel scarlet letter was written by nathaniel hawthorne. In chapter 19, the narrator even calls pearl a living hieroglyphic.
The role that pearl plays in hesters life is controversial. Weeks, it is true, would sometimes elapse, during which pearls gaze might never once be fixed upon the scarlet letter. But what if dimmesdale is the one who redeems pearl. By acknowledging her, he gives her a human father and a place in the world. Pearl is the one who moves the action in this chapter, and her response to dimmesdale and hester together does not foreshadow a happy ending. Nathaniels novel explores very clearly the themes of the themes of guilt, sin, and legalism. In chapter 6 of the scarlet letter, the infant which hester prynne constantly carries around, finally has its name and character fully revealed. Yet pearl, from her name to her comfort with nature, is also the most pure character in the novel. Symbols and symbolism in hawthornes scarlet letter the symbol of pearl 1035 words 5 pages. In nathaniel hawthornes, the scarlet letter, pearl, is the human symbol of the sin of adultery in the fact that she leads her mother, hester prynne, and arthur dimmesdale to accept and admit to their sin. Pearl serves as a symbol of her mothers shame and triumph. Pearl the demon child prynne american literature g. But, in truth, pearl was the one as well as the other. The scarlet letter, written by nathaniel hawthorne, reflects the ideals of american romanticism by the use of the concept of dark romanticism, the evident appreciation of nature and innocent children, and the rejection of the standard rules of society and the influence of england, instead, answering to a higher moral code.
Detailed analysis of characters in nathaniel hawthornes the scarlet letter. Learn all about how the characters in the scarlet letter such as hester prynne and arthur dimmesdale contribute to the story and how they fit into the plot. The scarlet letter quotes by nathaniel hawthornepage 2 of 9. Summary of the scarlet letter pearl 893 words bartleby.
In fact, we find out that the infant is a girl by the name of pearl. As pearl grows into a lovely, spritelike child, hester feels that her daughters strange behavior is somehow associated with pearls conception and birth. Yet also like the scarlet letter, pearl becomes hesters source of strength. We are told that even when she was a baby she was attracted to the scarlet. The scarlet letter, novel by nathaniel hawthorne, published in 1850. Pearl as a symbol in the scarlet letter 372 words 123 help me. She constantly causes her mother and dimmesdale torment and anguish throughout the novel with her ability to at once state the truth and deny it when it is most necessary. Like the letter, pearl is the public consequence of hesters very private sin. At one point the narrator describes pearl as the scarlet letter endowed with life. Both pearl and the scarlet letter a hester has been. Hawthorn also used symbolism in that he uses pearl to represent the scarlet letter. Pearl as a symbol in nathaniel hawthornes the scarlet letter. Symbolism of pearl in the scarlet letter schoolworkhelper.
She is so smart to an extend that her mother thinks that she is not a real human being. Pearl, as previously stated in my other blog post, serves as an indicator of hester prynnes emotions and conscience. Pearl also functions as a constant reminder of hester s adulterous act. If you recall, the first chapter of the scarlet letter begins by pointing out a peculiar rose bush that grows at the door of the prison. Pearl is the scarlet letter, only capable of being loved, and so endowed with a millionfold the power of retribution p64 as a symbol of her sin, hester dresses up. In fact, more than ever, pearl is a symbol of the passionate act of her parents. She is a constant reminder of hesters sin and, if hester tries momentarily to forget the past, pearl certainly disapproves. Meanwhile, during all of this hester is managing her personal life between dimmesdale and chillingworth, which transforms chillingworth into an entirely different person. The novel is considered a masterpiece of american literature and a classic moral study. The illegitimate daughter of hester prynne and arthur dimmesdale. Pearl is a living symbol, the physical embodiment of hester and dimmesdale s sin. This video is meant to symbolize pearls character and emphasize how. The work centers on hester prynne, a married woman who is shunned after bearing a child out of wedlock but displays great compassion and resiliency.
As the novel progresses, pearl grows older, and its easy for the reader to. This allegorical novel depends heavily on symbol and character. Hesters daughter, pearl, functions primarily as a symbol. Pearls existence serves a dual purpose, most significantly in her mothers life. Scarlet letter pearl as a symbol essay examples 630. Pearl is the scarlet letter, only capable of being loved, and so endowed with a millionfold the power of retribution p64 as. The scarlet letter, nathaniel hawthornes 1850 novel about puritan boston, then known as the massachusetts bay colony, tells the story of hester prynne, a woman who has given birth to a child out of wedlocka grave sin in the deeply religious community. The scarlet letter was the first, and the tendency of criticism is to pronounce it the most impressive, also, of these ampler productions. In general, children in the scarlet letter are portrayed as more perceptive and more honest than adults, and pearl is the most perceptive of them all. Pearl in the scarlet letter research papers show that what a reader sees in pearl is a tower of strength, and hawthorne has portrayed her as both strongwilled and, at the same time, very compassionate toward her.
Hester prynne, the protagonist of the novel, is the mother of pearl. Pearl as a symbol in the scarlet letter 372 words 123. At the same time, the gesture of the hand over the heart is the same one that hester makes when she remembers the scarlet letter. As the two wayfarers came within the precincts of the town, the children of the puritans looked up from their player what passed for play with those sombre little. In the scarlet letter, why is pearl often compared to an elf. One of the most complex and misunderstood symbols in this novel is pearl, the daughter of hester prynne. May 26, 2017 pearl also decorated hesters letter with burs. Pearl in the scarlet letter research papers show how the characters in the novel represent the puritan mindset of new england. Even pearl s clothes contribute to her symbolic purpose in the novel by making an association between her, the scarlet letter, and hesters passion. Pearl prynne, the daughter of hester prynne, in nathaniel hawthornes the scarlet letter can be considered the most symbolic character in the novel.