Writers use literary techniques to contribute to the passage’s meaning and significance of the whole work. Nathaniel Hawthorne demonstrates the use of literary devices to create and shape meaning in his novel, The Scarlet Letter. In chapter 16, Hester leads Pearl into the forest in order to meet with the minister privately as he returns. Wanting to escape Chillingworth’s wrath and revenge, Hester tries to run away with Dimmesdale and Pearl. People’s view on purity and sin differ for a sinner and a child born out of sin. The meaning of the passage is shaped according to the literary devices that was used. In the beginning, a contrast between the personality of Hester and Pearl is revealed. Pearl claims that “the sunshine does not love [Hester]. It runs away and hides itself because it is afraid of something on [her] bosom” (152). Sunshine
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In response to Hester’s offer of sitting down, Pearl said “But you may sit down” (153). In a parent-child relationship, Pearl seems disrespectful because she gave Hester permission to sit. She has learned to show authority to others. However, Pearl’s belief at the end of the passage indicates her innocence. Pearl believed that the Black Man, an euphemism for the devil, is real. People signing the book and being marked (153) is a metaphor for people selling their souls to the devil. Pearl is not old enough to understand the hidden symbol of the story; therefore, she shows curiosity towards her mother’s scarlet letter. The difference between how nature acts around Hester and Pearl is apparent. There is no sunshine around Hester, an unhappy sinner, while sunshine wants to be with Pearl, an innocent, young child. Even though both went through the same experience, they do not receive the same meaning and effect. Hester feels lonely from isolation and shame brought upon her by the scarlet letter while Pearl is pure so the impact not not evident for
In response to Hester’s offer of sitting down, Pearl said “But you may sit down” (153). In a parent-child relationship, Pearl seems disrespectful because she gave Hester permission to sit. She has learned to show authority to others. However, Pearl’s belief at the end of the passage indicates her innocence. Pearl believed that the Black Man, an euphemism for the devil, is real. People signing the book and being marked (153) is a metaphor for people selling their souls to the devil. Pearl is not old enough to understand the hidden symbol of the story; therefore, she shows curiosity towards her mother’s scarlet letter. The difference between how nature acts around Hester and Pearl is apparent. There is no sunshine around Hester, an unhappy sinner, while sunshine wants to be with Pearl, an innocent, young child. Even though both went through the same experience, they do not receive the same meaning and effect. Hester feels lonely from isolation and shame brought upon her by the scarlet letter while Pearl is pure so the impact not not evident for