Finally, as far as characters go, it is important to also mention Pearl as a symbol. Pearl, the daughter of Hester Prynne, or what most might refer to her as the product of adultery. “The Atlantic” describes her as, “Standing as the incarnation, instead of the victim, of a sin, Pearl affords a unique opportunity for throwing light upon the inner nature of the sin itself” (Hawthorne April 1886 Issue). She is viewed by some as a symbol of adultery, a human representation of the scarlet letter itself. To others, she is viewed as a victim, and it is concluded that Hawthorne uses Pearl as a symbol of innocence in this melancholy plot. Therefore, it would almost be accurate to refer to Pearl as a certain sub-breed of a comic relief, as she sheds light on the whole situation. Though, to fully comprehend the meaning of Pearl in Hawthorne’s “The Scarlet Letter”, the reader must first analyze the meaning behind the scarlet letter that she tends to be associated with.
The scarlet letter ‘A’ on Hester Prynne’s bosom, is in fact an object that has its own symbolic meanings tied to it, …show more content…
He shows that characters, objects and even settings can all stand for an underlying idea. An idea that can be interpreted differently by different readers. This is a concept that is vital when seeking to comprehend the entirety of Nathaniel Hawthorne’s allegory “The Scarlet Letter”, for what it is intended to be. It is not just a story about a sinful woman and her psycho husband, and her little outcast of a daughter. It is one of sin and revenge and just a dash of innocence. Most of all, if there is anything the reader takes away from this explanation of the novel, it should be that “The Scarlet Letter” reveals the true inner workings of humans and the fundamental characteristics that separate them from the rest of Earth’s inhabitants. This powerful message would not be possible without Nathaniel Hawthorne’s use of
The scarlet letter ‘A’ on Hester Prynne’s bosom, is in fact an object that has its own symbolic meanings tied to it, …show more content…
He shows that characters, objects and even settings can all stand for an underlying idea. An idea that can be interpreted differently by different readers. This is a concept that is vital when seeking to comprehend the entirety of Nathaniel Hawthorne’s allegory “The Scarlet Letter”, for what it is intended to be. It is not just a story about a sinful woman and her psycho husband, and her little outcast of a daughter. It is one of sin and revenge and just a dash of innocence. Most of all, if there is anything the reader takes away from this explanation of the novel, it should be that “The Scarlet Letter” reveals the true inner workings of humans and the fundamental characteristics that separate them from the rest of Earth’s inhabitants. This powerful message would not be possible without Nathaniel Hawthorne’s use of