Many events occur in The Scarlet Letter that cause the reader to deeply examine the meaning that Hawthorne was trying to portray in the novel. He caused harm to many characters in the book, which lead to a couple of deaths, included some odd characters that helped build the main characters, such as Mistress Hibbins, and also put many characters in great misery. But Hawthorne was not completely heartless; a welcome change is included when he uses Pearl as a blessing to Hester throughout the novel. Though she is considered a curse in her actions and even existence, Pearl is ultimately the only blessing keeping Hester motivated to live.
As early as the second chapter in the novel, Pearl was already causing problems for her mother. Though Pearl’s bodily existence had not been revealed to the public, it was visible months earlier that Hester was pregnant. Her stomach began to grow, and the town could be sure it was not simply extra weight; she was carrying a child who did not belong to her husband. The Puritans are waiting outside of the prison in anticipation of Hester’s public appearance and punishment (Hawthorne 47). Hester was imprisoned due to the fact that she was pregnant out of wedlock; this …show more content…
The people know that the scarlet letter that Hester is forced to wear is the Puritan’s way of punishing for her sin. What they do not realize is that Hester had already been punished when she became pregnant and gave birth to Pearl. As Hawthorne was able to accurately depict, Pearl “...is the scarlet letter, only capable of being loved...” (Hawthorne 104); Pearl is the “...living hieroglyphic...” and “...regenerative symbol...” of Hester’s wrongdoing (Abel 544, McNamara 54). Though Hester is able to remove the letter while at the brook on page 191 paragraph one, she will never be able to rid herself of the living proof of her
As early as the second chapter in the novel, Pearl was already causing problems for her mother. Though Pearl’s bodily existence had not been revealed to the public, it was visible months earlier that Hester was pregnant. Her stomach began to grow, and the town could be sure it was not simply extra weight; she was carrying a child who did not belong to her husband. The Puritans are waiting outside of the prison in anticipation of Hester’s public appearance and punishment (Hawthorne 47). Hester was imprisoned due to the fact that she was pregnant out of wedlock; this …show more content…
The people know that the scarlet letter that Hester is forced to wear is the Puritan’s way of punishing for her sin. What they do not realize is that Hester had already been punished when she became pregnant and gave birth to Pearl. As Hawthorne was able to accurately depict, Pearl “...is the scarlet letter, only capable of being loved...” (Hawthorne 104); Pearl is the “...living hieroglyphic...” and “...regenerative symbol...” of Hester’s wrongdoing (Abel 544, McNamara 54). Though Hester is able to remove the letter while at the brook on page 191 paragraph one, she will never be able to rid herself of the living proof of her