In The Scarlet Letter, Nathanial Hawthorne made it quite evident that Pearl was a very symbolic character. As we know, following Hester's act of adultery, she became pregnant with Pearl and we get the sense that there is something strange and unnatural about her when first introduced. This is relevant to her symbolism and the many attributes that she represents. Throughout the novel, her symbolism ranges from being equated to evil, sin, and innocence. Furthermore, it is also possible that her name in itself is used to symbolize different elements like a pearl; a treasure much like Pearl becomes for Hester.
In many ways, it seems that Pearl symbolizes evil and the actual letter which is also is a representation of evil; she represented God's …show more content…
Consider an actual pear. For a pearl to develop, it starts as a piece of sand, which is grainy and rough; similar to how hard and rough it was for Hester to originally cope with the burden of the scarlet letter which is in essence Pearl. Then, after time that sand gets coated and becomes a pearl; a treasure much like Pearl becomes for Hester. This is also suggested in the text of the novel where Hawthorne writes, "but she named the infant 'Pearl,' as being of great price,--purchased with all she had,--her mother's only treasure!" (Hawthorne 61) In addition, it is important to consider that the idea of a pearl having a vivid beauty to it and would not belong in Puritan society because it would contrast with society's strict and rigid ideals. Pearl nonetheless stands out as beautiful and charming (like a pearl) in a society consisting of a populace of stern and dull people. She also gave Hester reason to live and press on with her life despite the hard times because regardless of what it cost Hester, she is at the same time Hester's source of happiness. In the same way that her mother Hester was different from Puritan society, her child also was not a normal Puritan. Pearl is different, but it's her difference that gives her great worth and beauty; she is her mother's only treasure and
In many ways, it seems that Pearl symbolizes evil and the actual letter which is also is a representation of evil; she represented God's …show more content…
Consider an actual pear. For a pearl to develop, it starts as a piece of sand, which is grainy and rough; similar to how hard and rough it was for Hester to originally cope with the burden of the scarlet letter which is in essence Pearl. Then, after time that sand gets coated and becomes a pearl; a treasure much like Pearl becomes for Hester. This is also suggested in the text of the novel where Hawthorne writes, "but she named the infant 'Pearl,' as being of great price,--purchased with all she had,--her mother's only treasure!" (Hawthorne 61) In addition, it is important to consider that the idea of a pearl having a vivid beauty to it and would not belong in Puritan society because it would contrast with society's strict and rigid ideals. Pearl nonetheless stands out as beautiful and charming (like a pearl) in a society consisting of a populace of stern and dull people. She also gave Hester reason to live and press on with her life despite the hard times because regardless of what it cost Hester, she is at the same time Hester's source of happiness. In the same way that her mother Hester was different from Puritan society, her child also was not a normal Puritan. Pearl is different, but it's her difference that gives her great worth and beauty; she is her mother's only treasure and