Scarlet Letter, Pearl :: essays research papers

The Scarlet earn is a novel written by Nathaniel Hawthorne. The plot focuses on sin in the Puritan society. Hester Prynne, the protagonist, has an affair with Reverend Dimmesdale, which mean they are adulterers and sinners. As a result, Pearl is born and Hester is forced to where the blood-red letter. Pearl is a unique character. She is Hesters human form of her scarlet letter, which ever reminds her of her sin, yet at the same time, Pearl is a blessing to have since she represents the passion that Hester once had. Pearl is Hesters human form of her scarlet letter both she and the scarlet letter constantly remind Hester of her sin of adultery. Pearl is the result of Hesters adultery therefore she has a strong connection with the scarlet letter. As a young girl, Pearl had always had a fascination and obsession with her returns scarlet letter. For example In the forest stab when Hester takes off the Scarlet letter, Pearl becomes frantically disturbed and wont quiet down until He ster has it back on her dress, as if by discarding the letter Hester has cast away Pearl, (Johnson A Literary Analysis of The Scarlet Letter, pg.1). The scarlet letter is a part of Hester, as is Pearl, if Hester removes the letter, she also disowns Pearl. The only way Pearl recognize her mother is when she has the letter on. Hester dresses Pearl in red so she can represent her scarlet letter. In the chapter, The Governors Hall, Pearl was described The childs whole appearance reminded the beholder of the token which Hester Prynne was doomed to wear upon her bosom. It was the scarlet letter in another form the scarlet letter endowed with behavior (The Scarlet Letter, pg. 103 Johnson Understanding The Scarlet Letter pg.1). Although Pearl is looked at as the result of Hesters sin, she is a blessing to her mother as well. Her name, Pearl, is fitting because of what she factor to Hester. For instance Hester names herPearl because she has come to great price, and Hester believed that Pe arl is her only reason for living, (Johnson Understanding The Scarlet Letter pg.1). Pearl motivates her mother to keep on going when she is tempted to give up. In the novel, Mistress Hibbins asks Hester to join her in a witches gathering, but she declines saying if she had lost Pearl, she would have gone.