Pearl, throughout the book, shows everyone in a new light. Through the eyes of a child, filled with understanding. Wanting to learn more about the people around her, lets us also get to read more of them in depth. Making Pearl essential to the book, from her birth giving the main plot of the story, to her being treated by the millionairess elders of the town, and finally being awaken into the new world, through so many deaths.
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Show MoreHer constant questioning about her father unknowing creates hostility between her and her mother. The one person Pearl has in her life is Hester, who continuously cast her away to be alone. Another example of how Pearl's upbringing caused her to be lonely, is when she recognizes her fate of loneliness. Pearl is born an outcast since she is the product of sin in a christian world. She is a symbol of sin and therefore, does not fit in with the Puritan society that she is surrounded with.
In The Scarlet Letter, light symbolizes knowledge. It is present each time a character gains knowledge, and absent when knowledge is concealed. Ancient humans equated knowledge to a light or a flame. In the Greek myth of Prometheus, Prometheus stole the flame of creativity from Zeus. Gifting it to humans, he bestowed new knowledge to them.
Through all the torturing, she continued to keep her baby’s father a secret. Even though Chillingworth knew before any of the torturing began. Pearl was able to grow up, seen as a precious gift in the world and not just some sinful reminder of Hester and Dimmesdale. She’s going to be able to grow up and be whatever she aspires to be.
As she is attempted to sign the book, the reminder of her life is there. Pearl is there as a reminder that she has a reason to live for and to care about which prevent her from signing the book. “...thou knowest what is in my heart, and what are a mother’s rights, and how much the stronger they are, when that mother has but her child and the scarlet letter” (Evans). Feeling of motherly concern is filled in Prynne’s heart especially when she does not sign the book because of Pearl. The gloomy forest is represented as darkness.
She’s young and isn’t yet aware of the evil and darkness that’s present in the world around her. When on her way to talk with Dimmesdale after his discussion with her mother, Pearl is expressed as being cloaked in bright sunlight(181). Pearl is a small girl that hasn’t truly had the chance to make decisions for herself, and therefore hasn’t committed any evil or sinful acts. Because of this, she’s always narrated as being light and full of happiness and innocence. Pearl is also a very happy child which adds to the symbolism of her light description.
Pearl is a symbol of the scarlet letter. She was born due to adultery, which is the same reason as to why Hester wears the scarlet letter A. In chapter 7, Pearl is coincidentally put into a red tunic, “...arraying her in a crimson velvet tunic … and flourishes of gold-thread” (Hawthorne 92), which makes Hester realize that she is the human version of the scarlet letter. By Hester realizing this, it shows to the reader that Pearl can be a “sin” and a “blessing” all at the same time.
The author uses several things to help develop Aunty Pearl in the story. For example, in Blue Skin of the Sea “Malanamekahuluohemanu”, Sonny says, “... I always thought she had royal blood in her. The bigger the Hawaiian queens were, the more beautiful.” This shows that Aunty Pearl must be very regal and beautiful like a queen. The book also reads, “Aunty Pearl walked onto the bed of the pickup and sat gracefully down on a special upholstered seat…”
Pearl also represents purity, beauty, and her mother’s strength. This reminds society, Hester, Dimmesdale, and Chillingworth the importance of embracing individuality and rejecting the pressure from societies conforming
In The Scarlet Letter, Pearl is a very important character and she symbolizes a lot. Pearl is also very smart. She figures out before many of the adults in the town, that Dimmesdale is her father. Pearl also has a big imagination. She when she plays alone, she can turn anything as simple as a stick or a rock into something aminated, and something she play with.
To Hester’s shock she discovered that Pearl was more mature and imaginative. Hester practically raised Pearl by herself and Pearl turned out to be a Godly, honest, and innovative young girl. People saw how hard it was for Hester and so things changed. Hester became known as the woman who was able to do anything.
Many people have conflicting ideas regarding the meaning of any given symbol. In The Scarlet Letter, by Nathaniel Hawthorne, the symbolism of the forest varies just as the symbols of the modern world. The forest, at first, represents the essence of evil and mystery, which transitions to a sort of friend for the young girl, Pearl, and finally, to a fortress of solitude for those who are supposedly living in sin or shame. In the beginning of The Scarlet Letter, the forest symbolizes evil and mystery.
However, she should not have to face the consequences of her mother 's misdeeds. Pearl is only a child and cannot control whom conceived her, nor can she can control how. If Pearl stays with her mother, then she will be treated the very same way. Pearl, a young girl, of only three years old, who is still learning so much about the world, will not be able to enjoy a normal childhood, let alone a normal life. "Every gesture, every word, and even the silence expressed she was banished."
It promises wealth and fame. It offers a new, luxurious life. It positively radiates joy. It is the Pearl of the World. In the book, The Pearl, by John Steinbeck, Kino, an impoverished pearl diver, has his life turned upside down, starting when his beloved son, Coyotito, gets stung by a scorpion.
It is quite obvious in Nathaniel Hawthorne 's The Scarlet Letter that Pearl, Hester Prynne 's daughter, plays a major role. Not only is she one of the main characters, but she is prevalent theme in the novel, as well. Pearl is not written like a regular character. Most of the other symbols in the story, such as the scarlet letter or the rose bush, lead back to Pearl. Pearl takes on many symbols and serves great purpose.
The Pearl is a Symbol The pearl is not only the title of the book but also the largest symbol of the entire book. The pearl changes its meaning thought out the course of the book. The pearl portrays a symbol of hope and then the most terrifying symbol of destruction. Although the pearl is mentioned several times but it is always indicated in different ways.