What Does Pearl Symbolize In The Scarlet Letter

Pearl’s Many Symbols
Pearl is a very important character in the book, The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne. Although majority of the story focuses on Hester, Dimmesdale, and Chillingworth, Pearl is what ties them all together. Pearl was born from Hester illegitimately. Even though Dimmesdale is her father, this is not revealed until the end of the story. Pearl is many symbols throughout the book that Hawthorne uses. Pearl is the symbol of Hester and Dimmesdale’s sin. However, she is more than that. Pearl also provides Hester with a future and gives her hope. Lastly, Pearl supplies the need for Dimmesdale’s change. Fundamentally, Pearl can represent the sin in which both Dimmesdale and Hester committed. Pearl was made because of the …show more content…
This causes Pearl to be a symbol of change. Hester’s life undoubtedly changed when she had Pearl. She was shamed, shunned, and embarrassed to walk around. Hester even would consider dying, except for the fact that she has to take care of Pearl. The Governor Bellingham was considering taking Pearl away from Hester and giving her to another family. However, Hester would not give up Pearl. Hester had to make sure should would sin no more if she would raise Pearl. “As there shall be no further scandal in the woman.” Pearl indirectly is making Hester stop sinning. However, Pearl is doing much more than this. “Every gesture, every word, and even the silence of those with whom she came in contact, implied, and often expressed, that she was banished.” Hester minded her own business and even stayed in a little house in the outskirts of the village. She lived because of Pearl. Throughout the book, Hester started to take care of the sick, dying, and poor. People saw the change in Hester, and said that the scarlet letter changed to the meaning of ‘Able.’ If Pearl was not there for Hester, Hester would have most likely be in the Black Forest, killing herself. Hester changed even after Pearl grew up and left her mother. When Hester returned to the village, she started to counsel young women. The people even changed indirectly because of Pearl. The people in the village saw Hester taking on more responsibility and …show more content…
Pearl also has a mission during her childhood years. Pearl wanted to know who her father really is. Peal was always a smart and wise child. Many people in the village thought she was the child of the devil. Ever since Pearl was young, she noticed that Dimmesdale’s hand was always over his heart. She also was obsessed with the scarlet letter. She even tells Hester that the reason Dimmesdale puts his hand over his heart is the same reason that Hester wears the scarlet letter. Pearl then learns to ignore Dimmesdale until he acknowledges her in public, thus revealing his sins. Pearl wants Dimmesdale to change. Since Pearl has been ignoring Dimmesdale, it drives him crazy. He feels terrible for doing it. When Hester went to talk to Dimmesdale and arranged plans for them to flee, Hester reveals to Pearl who her father is, Dimmesdale. When Dimmesdale kisses Pearl, she immediately goes to the brook and washes it off and makes a show out of it. According to Ann Marie Mcnamara, “Although Pearl’s outburst at the brookside is directed towards her mother, it affects Dimmesdale traumatically. This hypersensitive man experiences almost simultaneously the extremes of exaltation and depression-Hester’s plan for the resumption of their love affair and Pearl’s adamant rejection of his affection. His unacknowledged daughter tells him in her wordless language that his acquiescence to Hester’s will to escape is a false answer to his problems and