What Does Sin Symbolize In The Scarlet Letter

In his iconic novel, The Scarlet Letter, Nathaniel Hawthorne masterfully uses detailed symbolism to portray a multilayered story on sin and its consequences in the days of the Puritans. There are many examples of symbolism throughout the novel but one that Hawthorne seems to refer to the most is the symbol of Pearl, Hester’s daughter. Pearl represents Hester’s sin, the price she must pay for redemption, and the scarlet letter itself. The first time Pearl is officially introduced in the novel she is a symbol of the adultery that her mother committed. Hawthorne writes, “But she named the infant ‘Pearl,’ as being of great price, – purchased with all she had, – her mother’s only treasure” (61). This “Pearl of great price” is a reference to Matthew 13:45-46 where it says, “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, 46 who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.” Hester very literally physically sold all that she had for one Pearl. …show more content…
Hester cannot escape from Pearl any more than she can escape from the letter sewn to her dress. Hawthorne writes that, “Day after day, she looked fearfully into the child’s expanding nature; ever dreading to detect some dark and wild peculiarity, that should correspond with the guiltiness to which she owed her being” (61). As Pearl grows up she is dressed in “gorgeous robes” due to Hester’s incredible talent with a needle. The beauty and rich color of Pearl’s clothing is mirrored in the beauty of the scarlet A which also came from Hester’s needle. Pearl habitually does things that again remind Hester of her letter and keep her entrapped in her sin. After throwing flowers at the letter until Hester can hardly stand it any longer Pearl announces that, “I have no heavenly father!” (67). Pearl’s behavior causes Hester to exist in a “dismal labyrinth of doubt”