The Symbolism of Pearl in The
Throughout Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter, Pearl acts as several symbols, which are imperative in bringing out important aspects of the other characters. Pearl is Hester Prynne’s daughter who is thought of in the novel as both a devil child and a treasure. Although she is only seven years old, Pearl makes a major impact on all of the adults of the story. According to Nina Baym, “the character of Pearl is as much, or more, a symbolic function as she is a representation of a human child” (56). Pearl’s significance in the novel is portrayed best through her mirror image of the scarlet letter itself. In more ways than one, she is analogous to her mother, Hester Prynne. Roger Chillingworth and Arthur Dimmesdale are also severely affected by the presence of Pearl. In an ambience of guilt, Pearl serves as innocence. When comparing the actual scarlet letter to Pearl, numerous similarities are established. Pearl is “its [the scarlet letter’s] symbol, its double, its agent: ‘it was the scarlet letter in another form; the scarlet letter endowed with life!’” (Baym 56). When Hester commits the sin of adultery, the punishment is wearing the scarlet letter. Pearl herself is living proof of sin, which
is what the letter represents. Pearl’s appearance replicates that of the letters: Hester dresses her in “the richest tissues” and stitches elaborate dresses for Pearl to wear “before the public eye” (Hawthorne 92). Hester takes of the letter because it is a constant reminder of her sin, which is Pearl. When Hester calls to her child at the brooke, Pearl only responds to her mother when the scarlet “A” is on her bosom. Without the letter, Hester doesn’t get anything from Pearl. Pearl even goes as far as mimicking her mother by making an “A” on her chest out of eelgrass. The letter, and Pearl, became Hester’s purpose. Pearl brings out many hidden features of both Dimmesdale and Chillingworth as well. As with Hester, Pearl is also a constant reminder of sin for Dimmesdale, as he too commits a sin by bringing the child into the world. Every time Dimmesdale is around Pearl he fears her. He fears that the townspeople might recognize the resemblance between father and daughter. For Dimmesdale, Pearl symbolizes guilt. He feels guilty when he sees her because she reminds him of his sin, and makes him feel even guiltier that he hasn’t confessed. Also, he feels guilty because he isn’t there for Pearl like a father should be. He feels guilty because he is scared that Pearl doesn’t love him. This is apparent when Dimmesdale kisses Pearl on the cheek in the forest and she goes and washes it away. More than one instance in the book mentions Pearl asking Dimmesdale if he will accompany her and Hester, or at least acknowledge the mere existence of them. Both times Pearl’s requests are denied. Dimmesdale’s guilt
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Approximate Word count = 1115
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)
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