... of her mother's sin. Likewise, in the book, The Scarlet Letter, Pearl symbolizes many fascinating things. An example of Hawthorne using Pearl symbolically occurs when Hester dresses her daughter for the interview with Governor Bellingham. Pearl wears " a crimson velvet tunic embroidered in flourishes of gold thread It was the scarlet letter endowed with life."" (Hawthorne 78) As Pearl intended, the red letter of adultery was brought to ... life in the bright red dress. But also, Pearl symbolized a way of punishing Hester for her adultery. The way Hester's life was ruined for so long was ...

• Word Count: 320
• Approx Pages: 1
• Grade Level: High School

... asked her to behave more politely, but in reply Pearl "paused to gather the prickly burrs from a tall burdock." She then began to "arrange them along the lines of the scarlet letter." After Dimmesdale's comment about her behavior, Pearl "threw one of the burrs at Mr. Dimmesdale." Dimmesdale "shrunk, with nervous dead, from the light missile." When Pearl saw how she effected him she "clapped her hands ... in the most extravagant ecstasy." Hawthorne is obviously showing how Pearl is there to remind Hester and Dimmesdale of ... my opinion is when Pear wipes Dimmesdale's kiss from her fore...

• Word Count: 421
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School

... she firsts meets him when she is a baby, she [holds] up [her] little arms, with a half plaintive murmur, meanwhile she started crying when Chillingworth came near her (47). The way that Pearl acts as the only source of pureness and goodness only towards Hester and Dimmesdale shows that her character is not developed enough, and is merely a symbol of both their happiness and ... a life full of judgement from her fellow community members, Hester is over protective about Pearl, but Pearl is the same towards her mother. Pearl indubitably portrays the scarlet letter as a character, thus conc...

• Word Count: 1245
• Approx Pages: 5
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... a woman who has an affair and becomes pregnant and has a child with the man in which she has had an affair with. That child's name is Pearl. One of the most complex and elaborate characters in The Scarlet Letter is Pearl, the daughter of Hester Prynne and Arthur Dimmesdale. Pearl is involved in the complex nature of the story, as a result of her mothers adulteress ways she is shunned ... from society and even looked down upon by her mother. Pearl is the Human embodiment of what the Scarlet letter A stands for. Pearl plays one of the most crucial roles within the story, Hawthorne uses Pe...

• Word Count: 767
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

... 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 ... his own, pouring like a torrent into his heart-" (127). From the start to the end of the novel her and Dimmesdale's relationship ...

• Word Count: 1115
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School

... Letter is a book of much symbolism. One of the most complex and misunderstood symbols in the book is Pearl, the daughter of Hester Prynne. Pearl, throughout the story, develops into a dynamic symbol - one that is always changing. In the following essay, I will explore some of the symbolism which Pearl came to represent throughout the novel. In The Scarlet Letter, Hester, for her sins, received a scarlet letter, "A" which she had to ... with rocks. When Hester would go into the town with Pearl, the other children would make fun of her, and Pearl would yell and throw dirt at them. So, in ...

• Word Count: 577
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School

... . He cannot take his emotions bottled up any longer, and being able to love his daughter, and have her know him is something he longs for. Pearl symbolizes Dimmesdale's part in the adultery just as much as she symbolizes Hester's. Pearl does not completely accept Dimmesdale as her father, until he willingly admits his sins, and when she finally does, we can see ... the beauty of the relationship of a father and daughter finally able to love one another. At the last Scaffold scene in the novel is where we can clearly see the truth of Hester, Pearl and Dimmesdale as a family. Towards the e...

• Word Count: 505
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School

... 's The Scarlet Letter, One of the most complex and misunderstood symbols in the book is Pearl, the illegitimate daughter of Hester Prynne and Arthur Dimmsdale. Because Pearl was born from a man other than Hestor's husband, the townspeople call her the devil child. At first, Pearl is curious of why her mother wears the scarlet letter on her chest. Throughout the novel, Pearl develops into a dynamic character of the story. Pearl is ... a beautiful child like no other in the town ... is used to being around people. Her understanding of the scarlet increased. She showed this the day Dimmsda...

• Word Count: 442
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School

... It was this guilty passion that immediately drew Pearl to the scarlet, "A," on Hester's bosom. "But the first object of which Pearl seemed to become aware was the scarlet letter on Hester's bosom! One day, as her mother stooped over the cradle, the infant's eyes had been caught by the glimmering of the gold embroidery about the letter' and, putting up her little hand ... , "glistens with a bright complexion, eyes possessing intensity both of depth and glow," (Character Analysis Pearl). Pearl is a dynamic character who progressively changes by means of her behavior, personality, and knowl...

• Word Count: 845
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

... hide another."(p12) Just because of this, Hester worries about the girl's growth of nature and cherishes the baby bought with all of her life. In order to give the girl best wishes, Hester names her daughter after the Pearl, "purchased with all she had,-her mother's only treasure."(p47) If Pearl isn't born, Hester can have a better life than that she has ... described in the story, but she still treats Pearl as her only treasure and dresses her up every day. Hester ... makes her have nothing to fear for. In addition, these actions are regarded as Hester and Hawthorne's dissatisfaction ...

• Word Count: 830
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

... -- had there been a prophet or magician skilled to read the character of flame! And Pearl was the oneness of their being"(Hawthorne 141). Pearl is a beautiful, misbehaved child. The first thing that Pearl ever notices is her mother's "A' across her chest. As a child, Pearl throws rocks at the scarlet letter, making a game out it. Growing up, Pearl is not accepted by anyone. She screams at other children, ... to her personality. When she is compared to a red bird, the emphasis of color increases the visual sense of Pearl's character, and the comparison to a bird indicates that she is full...

• Word Count: 1030
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School

... -- had there been a prophet or magician skilled to read the character of flame! And Pearl was the oneness of their being"(Hawthorne 141). Pearl is a beautiful, misbehaved child. The first thing that Pearl ever notices is her mother's "A' across her chest. As a child, Pearl throws rocks at the scarlet letter, making a game out it. Growing up, Pearl is not accepted by anyone. She screams at other children, ... to her personality. When she is compared to a red bird, the emphasis of color increases the visual sense of Pearl's character, and the comparison to a bird indicates that she is full...

• Word Count: 1029
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School

... they all had some little effect on her character. Hester's crime changed the way she acted around her daughter, Pearl. Pearl is always with her mother so she gets to see the slight differences in the way she treats different people she encounters. Hester sees a lot of herself in Pearl, perhaps too much. She asks Pearl one day "Tell me, then, what thou art, and who sent ... thee hither?" Pearl answers in a laughing way "Tell me Mother!" Hester says that the heavenly father sent her. Pearl touches the scarlet letter and says that he didn't send her. Pearl enjoys touching her mother's scar...

• Word Count: 509
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School

... life change. On page 194 Hawthorne writes, "And she was gentler here than in the grassy-margined streets of the settlement, or in her mother's cottage. The flowers appeared to know it." Pearl fit in with natural things, which was considered evil to the Puritans, (Encarta) but Pearl is showing them how the forest is beautiful and natural. According to chuckii.com "Hester's child, is symbolic of ... changing Puritan society." Pearl changes the puritan society because she is the outcome of the scarlet letter, and was rebellious to the Puritan way of life but not evil. Even though something...

• Word Count: 647
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

... vivid descriptions to characterize Pearl, as he dose to every character thought the story. Pearl is first described as the infant; " Whose innocent life had sprung, by the inscrutable decree of Providence, a lovely and immortal flower, out of the rank luxuriance of a guilty passion." . From the beginning of her life Pearl is viewed as the result of a sin, and as a punishment. Physically, Pearl has a "Beauty ... puny wrath, snatching up stones to fling at them- Because of Pearl's seclusion from society nature seemingly sympathizes with Pearl, which is evident by eerie role of the sunshine...

• Word Count: 1158
• Approx Pages: 5
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... her freedom, and even her marriage when she gives birth to Pearl. There are two main ways that Pearl reflects the scarlet letter, one being her physical beauty and radiance, while the other being the emotional and mental effects she has on her mother. The emotional side of Pearl reflecting the scarlet letter appears in the way Pearl acts. Pearl's vivacious spirit and inquisitive nature ends up causing her mother much ... by looking at her daughter, but by observing her daughter's alienation and rebellious nature. In chapter 16 the reader observes Pearl and her mother taking a walk in the...

• Word Count: 790
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

... as a reminder to all of her sin. Yet through all her troubles, she has received a great gift, her daughter Pearl. Pearl gives Hester the strength to survive through her conviction and persecution. Similarly the rose-bush outside the prison gives hope to the prisoners. The rose-bush is a positive image for those who have been persecuted. It is a symbol of survival for Hester who has ... - rather than "adulterer-. The narrator refers to Pearl as the moral blossom of the novel. She is the one that will teach the moral lesson of the story. This is revealed in chapter eight also when Pearl t...

• Word Count: 1487
• Approx Pages: 6
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... , Hester Prynn had committed adultery while her husband was overseas. Out of this treacherous act, a beautiful daughter named Pearl was born. Hester paid an enormous price for her Pearl; she was ridiculed by the entire town and forced to wear the letter "A" for adultery. The community viewed Pearl as a monster and a thing. Hester thought of her child as a treasure and a blessing; "a lovely and ... immortal flower", paid for with everything she had (1295). The name "Pearl" has many different meanings for many people, both negative and positive. Nathaniel Hawthorne, known for works such as...

• Word Count: 445
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School

... not send her and he was not her actual father. Both can be true; if she was devout, God is her father but in the earthly world He could not be Pearl's actual father. "Individuals in private life, meanwhile, had quite forgiven Hester Prynne for her frailty; nay, more, they had begun ... caused by her chaotic upbringing, none of which was actually her acting out of the evil in her heart. Pearl showed love and compassion to the ones dear to her. Her father was barely had a presence in her life yet Pearl loved him and shedded tears for him. If she was truly evil, she would ... gave up when...

• Word Count: 1931
• Approx Pages: 8
• Grade Level: High School

... after this close encounter with Wilson, he spots Hester and Pearl approaching the scaffold. He calls out to Hester and asks Pearl and her to join him on the scaffold. Hester agrees: "She silently ascended the steps, and stood on the platform, holding little Pearl by the hand. The minister felt for the child's other hand, and took it. The moment that he did so, there came what seemed a ... reveal his secret. Pearl and Hester wait by the brook in the forest, and Pearl tries to catch some of the transitory sunshine in the forest. Strangely, the sunshine seems to avoid Hester and "plays with ...

• Word Count: 3653
• Approx Pages: 15
• Grade Level: High School

... 's status as a heroine is more of an opinion I have formed on my own of Hawthorne's tale. Many people may wonder what legacy Hester left to her dear Pearl. F. O. Matthiessen talks of Hester clinging "to the hope that her girl has capacity for strong affection, which needs only to be awakened by sympathy" (4) but Hester wants so much more for her daughter. Never ... Dictionary on-line defines a heroine as "a woman admired and emulated for her achievements and qualities." Hester could be included in the definition as an example. The last heroic act one could imagine that Hester did was to ...

• Word Count: 3565
• Approx Pages: 14
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... future being together with her daughter and Dimmesdale. Before the procession at the marketplace, Pearl asks Hester, "Mother, was that the same minister that kissed me by the brook?" "Hold thy peace, dear little Pearl!" whispered [Hester]. "We must not always talk in the market-place of what happens to us in the forest" (Hawthorne 219). What Hester advises Pearl to do is not to speak of such things ... and words prove how knowledgeable her mind precisely operates. Thus the intellect and outlook of Hester Prynne is shown openly while with Dimmesdale in the forest and with her daughter at...

• Word Count: 810
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

... this symbolism is to show that Puritanism is fraudulent and that their religious viewpoints are against the natural order, which is done by using contrasting natural and religious symbols in the descriptions of Pearl. Hawthorne uses the backdrop of the natural world to show that not only Pearl is anonymous to the Puritan culture, but also above it. This is done by using positive images and descriptions ... and often tries to smother flowers and kill them off. The religious descriptions of Pearl are often used to show the Puritan ideals of the fact that the mother committed adultery. Eve...

• Word Count: 675
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

... Arthur Dimmesdale's daughter. Impulsive, uncanny, and ungovernable, she is a symbol of natural instinct and distinction. At one point in the novel the elders of the colony try to take Pearl away from Hester because they think she is a demon-child. During her first three years, Pearl, who is named because she came of great price, grows into a physically beautiful, vigorous, and grateful little girl. She ... brings to life, and she feels in herself kinship with life in every form. Although the forest is a place of dread, evil, and the haunt of witches and of heathen Indian sorcerers, Pear...

• Word Count: 1147
• Approx Pages: 5
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... cottage away from society. After Hester moves away from the village, the Puritans give her the job of making fine clothing for the upper class. With any extra material that Hester has, she makes Pearl's clothes. Pearl's clothes are extraordinarily elaborate, which separates Pearl from the other children. Hester never let the clothing be plain for Pearl. Pearl did not do anything wrong by being born. For ... for her lover, it is easy for her to hide the truth from the Puritans. Hester believes that actions based on love are not immoral. The scaffold scene in the beginning chapters of th...

• Word Count: 1429
• Approx Pages: 6
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School