A Pearl in the Rough
Dynamic actor Nicholas Cage expresses, “The best characters are the ones that somehow manage to be both attractive and repulsive at the same time” (“Ambiguous Quotes”). Cage is referring to ambiguous characters, those who can be neither solely defined as noble or evil. In the novel The Scarlet Letter, Pearl Prynne, an ambiguous character, serves as the embodiment of both innocence and evil; she is equally “attractive” and “repulsive” to the reader at the same time. The novel, composed by Nathaniel Hawthorne, demonstrates one may exhibit evil qualities, but this does not mean their entire being revolves around those few moral flaws. Pearl’s moral ambiguity, captured through various actions towards her parents and the Governor …show more content…
Additionally, Pearl’s behaviors in nature as well as her dual symbolism work together to create a seamless unity between both her respectable and evil intentions.
Pearl was destined to be an ambiguous individual, even before she could walk, talk, or prove her conflicting morals. Her symbolic origin with dual meaning lays the perfect groundwork for her development as an ambiguous character. After Pearl’s birth, Hester chooses to view her daughter as a beautiful, innocent gift form God. Hester’s inveterate love for her daughter is demonstrated throughout the whole novel, along with her appreciation of her presence. Religious officials attempt to take Pearl away from Hester, but Hester’s admission of love for her daughter prevents her removal. “ ‘God gave me the child!’ exclaims Hester, ‘He gave her in requital of all things else, which ye had taken from me. She is my happiness—she is my torture, none the less!’ ”(Hawthorne 64). Hester’s exclamation of appreciation for her daughter proves Pearl’s ambiguity, because it showcases Pearl’s innocent and morally innocent side. Pearl herself serves as a symbol of a gift from the heavenly Father. God forgave and honored Hester’s …show more content…
Hester and Pearl meet Dimmesdale in the forest, which happens to be located near a flowing brook. In yet another example of symbolism from the novel, the brook symbolizes Pearl. The brook has ambiguous meaning just as Pearl does. First, the free flowing brook represents innocence, freshness, and freedom just as Pearl does. Hawthorne draws a comparison between the two, stating, “the brook chanced to form a pool so smooth and quiet that it reflected a perfect image of her little figure with her pictureness beauty” while also describing Pearl as “refined and spiritualized”(116). As previously noted, the brook is symbolic of Pearl. The two share numerous similarities including their ambiguity; both are being described as moral and innocent. The reader is finally forced to acknowledge Pearl’s youthful innocence, along with her newfound maturity. She is growing away from the devilish and evil child she once was, and developing into a beautiful and independent young woman. This section also helps to attest the theme, as one’s moral imperfections should not overshadow their positive qualities. On the contrary, the brook symbolizes gloom and depression, much comparable to Pearl. The ambiguity of both is revealed in the forest, as within a short period enigmatic qualities of each are showcased. Pearl’s worse qualities are exemplified once again as she breaks into an “evil
Dynamic actor Nicholas Cage expresses, “The best characters are the ones that somehow manage to be both attractive and repulsive at the same time” (“Ambiguous Quotes”). Cage is referring to ambiguous characters, those who can be neither solely defined as noble or evil. In the novel The Scarlet Letter, Pearl Prynne, an ambiguous character, serves as the embodiment of both innocence and evil; she is equally “attractive” and “repulsive” to the reader at the same time. The novel, composed by Nathaniel Hawthorne, demonstrates one may exhibit evil qualities, but this does not mean their entire being revolves around those few moral flaws. Pearl’s moral ambiguity, captured through various actions towards her parents and the Governor …show more content…
Additionally, Pearl’s behaviors in nature as well as her dual symbolism work together to create a seamless unity between both her respectable and evil intentions.
Pearl was destined to be an ambiguous individual, even before she could walk, talk, or prove her conflicting morals. Her symbolic origin with dual meaning lays the perfect groundwork for her development as an ambiguous character. After Pearl’s birth, Hester chooses to view her daughter as a beautiful, innocent gift form God. Hester’s inveterate love for her daughter is demonstrated throughout the whole novel, along with her appreciation of her presence. Religious officials attempt to take Pearl away from Hester, but Hester’s admission of love for her daughter prevents her removal. “ ‘God gave me the child!’ exclaims Hester, ‘He gave her in requital of all things else, which ye had taken from me. She is my happiness—she is my torture, none the less!’ ”(Hawthorne 64). Hester’s exclamation of appreciation for her daughter proves Pearl’s ambiguity, because it showcases Pearl’s innocent and morally innocent side. Pearl herself serves as a symbol of a gift from the heavenly Father. God forgave and honored Hester’s …show more content…
Hester and Pearl meet Dimmesdale in the forest, which happens to be located near a flowing brook. In yet another example of symbolism from the novel, the brook symbolizes Pearl. The brook has ambiguous meaning just as Pearl does. First, the free flowing brook represents innocence, freshness, and freedom just as Pearl does. Hawthorne draws a comparison between the two, stating, “the brook chanced to form a pool so smooth and quiet that it reflected a perfect image of her little figure with her pictureness beauty” while also describing Pearl as “refined and spiritualized”(116). As previously noted, the brook is symbolic of Pearl. The two share numerous similarities including their ambiguity; both are being described as moral and innocent. The reader is finally forced to acknowledge Pearl’s youthful innocence, along with her newfound maturity. She is growing away from the devilish and evil child she once was, and developing into a beautiful and independent young woman. This section also helps to attest the theme, as one’s moral imperfections should not overshadow their positive qualities. On the contrary, the brook symbolizes gloom and depression, much comparable to Pearl. The ambiguity of both is revealed in the forest, as within a short period enigmatic qualities of each are showcased. Pearl’s worse qualities are exemplified once again as she breaks into an “evil