... of sign is one of the Romantic elements of light versus dark. "It would have been impossible to guess that this bright or sunny apparition owed its existence to the shape of gloomy gray or that a fancy" (Hawthorne 145). In this quote, Pearl is described ... as having a bright personality in contrast with her gray surroundings. The contrast that Hawthorne presents helps to emphasize the character of Pearl and makes her more distinct. ... 543). The letter "A" itself has many meanings contained within itself so therefore has different effects to Hester. The scarlet letter, "the burning rem...

• Word Count: 1468
• Approx Pages: 6
• Has Bibliography

... her sin illuminated Gomez 5 by the light of judgment that shines forth. And when Hester stands on the scaffold, the bright morning sun shone on the broad shoulders and well-developed breasts of the townspeople. These are the people who shine bright with righteousness. Sunlight and daylight are the equivalent of openness, honesty, and goodness. While light is equal to piety, its ... . So abundant are the dark references to Chillingworth, a full essay could be devoted to them alone. The most vivid describes his eyes: "Sometimes, a light glimmered out of the physician's eyes, burning blue a...

• Word Count: 1915
• Approx Pages: 8
• Grade Level: High School

... of Pearl's impish nature dispelled, one can now study her inquisitive and sensitive nature. When Hester Prynne refuses to reveal to Pearl the identity of the young child's father, Pearl's burning curiosity quickly ignites and forces her to scream out the following demand. "Tell me! Tell me! It is thou that must tell me!" This is not the only time Pearl ... product of sin and "filthiness," yet she possesses traits that make her an amazing child. Indeed, Pearl is the rosebush which grows near the prison door: she is the one bright spot the prisoners of this novel see as they watch from th...

• Word Count: 1056
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School

... first described outside the jail, the reader begins to recognize the connection between the color red and sin. This connection is made complete when Hester is forced to wear the bright red letter "A" across her chest. Its shocking shade of scarlet reminds the town of her iniquities. Chillingworth, too, is described in red. Even though his sin is unrecognized by the ... townspeople, his eyes have a red spark similar to that of a burning flame. The color red is, perhaps, the most frequently applied symbol in the novel. Whether it appears in the rose bush outside the jail, the meteorite th...

• Word Count: 543
• Approx Pages: 2
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... not truly live until he confesses his sin, but when he finally confesses he dies. Finally, Dimmesdale parallels Christ through the suffering of his death. Hawthorne describes Dimmesdale's suffering, "This burning torture to bear upon my breast! By sending yonder dark and terrible old man, to keep the torture always at red-heat!" So it can be seen that Dimmesdale does ... is not an evil child in the true sense of the word, but she is a reflection of her parent's immorality and their love. The color red, along with images of bright glow shows Pearl to be the product of a moment of passion...

• Word Count: 964
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School

... a scheme of vengeance, what could I do better for my object than to let thee live--than to give thee medicines against all harm and peril of life--so that this burning shame may still blaze upon thy bosom?" Chillingworth then makes a promise with her: as long as she never reveals his identity as her old husband, he will never reveal hers ... as thou wilt with yonder man."   Meanwhile, Pearl, who always takes delight in her mother's scarlet letter, has made a green "A" at the beach and placed it on her dress. Unusually bright, the child begins to ask acute and observant questions: "What...

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