(John 3: 19-21). These words spoken by Jesus Christ reveal Hawthorne’s intent for the use of light and dark. Nathaniel Hawthorne uses light as a tool of God that illuminates the darkness of human iniquity and exposes its permanence. The symbolism of light and darkness presents a complex view of sin and its effect. The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne is a story of the effects of a sin committed in a society based on the creation of an earthly utopia. The many forms of punishment, redemption, and revenge, which encompass every character, are all the cause of this one sin. As though he were weaving an elaborate tapestry, Hawthorne meshes light’s intense symbolism into Hester’s, Dimmesdale’s, Pearl’s, and Chillingworth’s nature until a masterpiece reveals itself unto the reader’s intellect.

As the reader embarks on the journey thr

ough The Scarlet Letter, they become more and more familiar with the character and nature of Pearl. Her honesty and allegorical pursuit for truth makes her pure and sheltered from sin, thus, she is always in the light. As a result of Pearl’s seclusion from society nature sympathizes with her, this can be seen with the role of sunshine in the forest. “The light lingered about the lonely child, as if glad of such a playmate” (Hawthorne 176). The sunshine is grateful for Pearl, accepting her as an equal. In addition, Hawthorne uses the constant light that surrounds Pearl as a distinct contrast to all other characters. This contrast is best seen in the chapter The Child at the Brookside, “It was strange the way in which Pearl stood, looking so steadfastly at them (Hester and Dimmesdale) through the dim forest gloom; herself, meanwhile, all glorified with a ray of sunshine that was attracted hitherward as by a certain sympathy” (Hawthorne 197). The quote distinctly shows that Pearl is the only character surrounded by light. This makes sense to the reader, as long as they understand Hawthorne’s motive in the symbolism of light, seeing as how Pearl is the only innocent character in the novel. Furthermore, just as light is drawn to Pearl, she is drawn to it. While at the governor’s house Pearl notices how brightly the sun shines through the windows. She requests that, “the sunshine be stripped off its’ front and given to her to play with.” Hester responds by saying, “no my little Pearl. Thou must gather thine own sunshine. I have none to give to thee!” (Hawthorne 104) This quote correlates with the quote from John 3: 19-21, in that Pearl is attracted to the light for she has nothing to hide. Also, this quote shows how Pearl often is a reminder to Hester of the oppression she lives under caused from her sin. The character of Pearl is one of the most complex and elaborate characters in The Scarlet Letter. She is the one character that seems to play the most uninvolved role in the novel, and is one of the most intense symbols and individuals throughout.

As Hawthorne navigates the reader through the passages of this dark tale, one follows the characters of Hester and Dimmesdale, the initial sinners. The ramifications

Some topics in this essay:
Hester Dimmesdale, Scarlet Letter, Examples Hawthorne’s, Hester Prynne, Chillingworth Furthermore, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Hester Pearl, Pearl Thou, Flood Sunshine, Reverend Dimmesdale, hester dimmesdale, light darkness, symbolism light, characters hester dimmesdale, characters hester, light dark, scarlet letter, symbols light darkness, character pearl, sin character, darkness reveal, reverend dimmesdale, symbolism light darkness, john 3 19-21,