... happiness. In being Hester's source of happiness, Pearl has to suffer along with Hester in being the scorn of the town. Pearl cannot socialize with the children in town or with the public because they see her as the child of the devil. Inherited with the negative bias from the town, Pearl retreats into a "wild, desperate, defiant mood" (80) where "the flightiness of her temper, and even some of ... the very cloud-shapes of gloom and ... she is indeed "[is] of demon origin"(89). Hester, once hearing the news, hurries to the Governor's dwelling to oppose the consideration - sacrificing Pe...

• Word Count: 1004
• Approx Pages: 4

... Letter, Arthur Dimmesdale struggles to overcome sin, guilt, and public shame in Puritan society. Arthur Dimmesdale reveals his guilt and shame towards the end of the novel when Hester and Pearl stand with him on the scaffold while he confesses his sin to the townspeople. To feel shame or guilt, one must have a clean conscience. Dimmesdale is a good example of this because he is loyal ... to publicly reveal his sins, it's suggested that his mentality is now back to normal. With his sins now exposed to the public, he seems more supportive with Pearl. Before he confessed, Dimmesdale ignore...

• Word Count: 939
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School

... a very big secret. Hawthorne gives the reader subtle hints throughout the first half of the novel that may lead to the identification of Hester's lover and Pearl's father, Arthur Dimmesdale, before he publicly announces his true identity near the end of the novel. Evidence of such hints is found as early in the novel as the third chapter, "The Recognition." Reverend Dimmesdale opens conversation, ... reminding her of her sin (beginning on page 104 with "Oh, not so!" and ending on the following page before the start of the second paragraph). This accusation alone hints greatly at Pearl's f...

• Word Count: 582
• Approx Pages: 2

... as well as their weaknesses with symbolic names. In The Scarlet Letter, Hawthorne uses evocative names to portray the characters' inner self and what they represent in the story. The most significant name belongs to the character Pearl. Hawthorne shows that this name has two meanings, but only one is used to describe the importance of Pearl's existence. "For so had Hester called her; not ... as a name expressive of her aspect, which had nothing of the calm, white, unimpassioned luster that would be indicated by the comparison. But she named the infant Pearl' as being of great price "pur...

• Word Count: 500
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School

... scaffold scene is Dimmesdale's release of his burden, which accumulates through the story. Dimmesdale's torture is stretched throughout the story in all three scaffold scenes. Another significant obstacle for Dimmesdale is to gain Pearl's acceptance, which is accomplished in the last scaffold scene. The minister's final speech is at last delivered, and pearl shows her acceptance when she "kisse[s] his lips" (pg. 233). All other times ... that Dimmesdale seeks Pearl's acceptance, she replies with references to the scaffold, further troubling him. The minister trembles at the thought of w...

• Word Count: 598
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School

... wondering in puzzlement if what he saw was the letter "A" engraved in his chest or not . These incidents are used to create a mysterious atmosphere through the story. Finally, intuition is also used to add romanticism to this tragic novel. Pearl, is constantly questioning the meaning of the scarlet letter "A" on her mother's blouse. Pearl doesn't know the meaning of it, but seems to have some ... sort of knowledge of the connection between the letter, her mother, and the preacher. She is determined to find out ... some truth of this mystifying letter. Pearl also seems to have foreknowle...

• Word Count: 522
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School

... , but his real intentions are revealed only to the reader. The underlying aspects of the characters in the book and their "twist of fate- will expose themselves in the novel. During the seven year span of the book, Chillingworth's kind fazade slowly becomes an evil obsession, the obsession being destroying his "closest friend,"" for Chillingworth suspects that Dimmesdale is the father of Pearl. Chillingworth becomes a type of parasite, and one ... 's role in her life and is not afraid to hate Dimmesdale. She is true to herself and her emotions and allows people to make the decision on whe...

• Word Count: 995
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School

... guilt of being an adulterer eventually kills him. Hawthorne's story begins in seventeenth-century Boston, then a Puritan settlement. A young woman, Hester Prynne, is led from the town prison with her infant daughter, Pearl, in her arms and the scarlet letter "A" on her breast. Hester's husband, a scholar much older than she is, sent her ahead to America, but he never arrived in Boston. While ... Hester to keep her (their) child. Hester threatens Arthur just to get him to come out of hiding. Obviously, showing capriciousness this lack of obligation not only torments Dimmesdale in the lon...

• Word Count: 1146
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... shows a love that cannot be. "Mother," said little Pearl, "the sunshine does not love you. It runs away and hides itself, because it is afraid of something on your bosom. It will not flee from me, for I wear nothing on my bosom yet!" This quotation is how I see the love that cannot be. The sunshine is the love of a man (Arthur Dimmesdale) and it does ... just what Pearl says - it runs and hides itself from the scarlet letter. This love must be hidden because of practical reasons; such as Roger Chillingworth who is her husband ... , but then it would seem as if they were going to see the...

• Word Count: 381
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School

... , that is near a peninsula, because the setting doesn't play a major role in the story except when Hester and Pearl go into the forest, where Hester has a life-turning talk with Mr. Dimmesdale. The forest is like a dark and mysterious place where a dark creature, the "Black Man," lives. The time, however, cannot be changed because the story deals with the beliefs of people from the 1850's. For example people who committed ... lets others know about her sin. Hester, throughout her life, believes that she has to live with the scarlet letter on her bosom, so she will never forget about her....

• Word Count: 781
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

... , because he does not confess and take the blame for the sin that he committed. In The Scarlet Letter, Minister Dimmesdale has an affair with Hester Prynne, which results in the birth of the baby, Pearl, and leads to the deterioration of Hester's husband, Chillingsworth. For seven years the minister hides his secret while Hester lives with public shame. Dimmesdale lacks the courage to admit his guilt publicly, which ... could have admitted his sin and endured the wrath of the Puritan society as Hester does, but he lacks the courage. When Dimmesdale went to the scaffold during the night h...

• Word Count: 898
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School

... many images of truth shown in Hawthorne's novel, "The Scarlet Letter." These images give the reader a look into the minds of the characters and a different perspective on the situations at hand. Many of these images show a turning point in the novel, as well. Dimmesdale, Pearl and Hester show the different instances where truth was brought out in society. In the beginning of the novel, there is a scene in which Hester ... was forced to stand on the scaffold and have everyone ... suffered as Hester suffered for their hypocritical and ruthless punishment, even if they were conscious of i...

• Word Count: 623
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School

... choices lead to other wrong actions that reflect their guilt. Lack of insight leads people to make bad choices, and there are several examples in the book, The Scarlet Letter. Hester Prynne and Roger Chillingworth get married even though they knew it was not going to be a truthful love relationship. Back then ... her husband, and she can not remain faithful. She commits the sin of adultery with a minister, Arthur Dimmesdale and has a child, Pearl. Roger Chillingworth is another character who does not recognize the consequences of his actions. Even though Hester tells him from the beginnin...

• Word Count: 1002
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School

... with pride and integrity, not caring about what others say or think. Showing a strong personality against the rude comments of the towns people, who say she has committed an act of the devil. Many saying that pearl is the "Devils child" and that Hester is related to the devil. Many see the "A" as something evil, as something for which Hester should be deeply ashamed about. But Hester ... "A" in a way, guides Hester and allows her to be who she is destined to be. It guides her to helping others, such as Dimmesdale, and to make the right choices. Helping her raise her child, Pearl, and to...

• Word Count: 1035
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School

... however Randall Stewart has presented an argument that suggesur Dimmesdale as the Protagonist of the story. Hester Prynn is the character that the story focuses on, more then any other character. She is the mother of her only daughter, Pearl, who was conceived in sin with the Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale. Arthur Dimmesdale is the reverend of the small puritan society, and Hester's partner in sin. This also ... and their brain at the same time, so saying that it was Dimmesdale's decision is almost entirely a lie. He waited with open arms and Hester, the protagonist, initiated the building o...

• Word Count: 855
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

... descriptive language and by describing exactly how Hester perceived each situation. "It was perceived, too, that while Hester never put forward even the humblest title to share the world's privileges---further than to breathe the common air, and earn daily bread for little Pearl and herself- (p. 144). Hester is humble because she has given up her sin, as is expressed in ... Dimmesdale and Chillingworth continue to weaken and degrade physically, this increased weakness alludes to the spiritual weakness and degradation in each character. Hawthorne also uses the innocence of youth in little...

• Word Count: 890
• Approx Pages: 4
• Has Bibliography

... with shame, and standing where Hester Prynne had stood" (136). Then, at least, his inner torment would cease. The minister, however, is not yet ready to confess. Hester and Pearl pass by the scaffold on their way home from watching at the governor's deathbed. To Pearl, Dimmesdale promises that he "shall, indeed, stand with thy mother and thee one day" (137) but that this will ... that he is not yet ready to do so. His midnight trip to the scaffold provides him with a choice to make, and his decision is to stay in the realm of moral darkness, instead of the alternative that Pearl gives h...

• Word Count: 891
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School

... because it reminds him of the sin and to ease his mind he physically abuses himself. Because of the guilt that Chillingworth has brought out of Dimmesdale, The Reverend becomes mentally unstable. He begins to have visions. In one of his visions he sees Hester and Pearl. Pearl first points to the scarlet letter on Hester's chest then she points to the reverend's chest. Although he knew ... that the visions were not real, he still had to ... deal with the guilt and shame that dwelled in his heart and mind. One night he had an idea ... ...

• Word Count: 735
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

... become contrite or learn from her mistakes. Although her suffering is public, she experiences inward guilt comparable to Dimmesdale. The guilt is illustrated in the quote; "She never battled with the public, but submitted uncomplainingly to its worst usage- (127). At first, Hester only has penance because she has ... yet to be sorry for what she has done. She illustrates this in the making of her scarlet letter, " fantastically embroidered with gold thread, upon her bosom!" (45). She is very proud and dignified. This pride ... his hand upon his bosom, and thrust aside the vestment..." s...

• Word Count: 695
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

... A on his chest to burden himself with guilt. Dimmesdale's life was a complete nightmare, and it was all thanks to his pent up guilt. In the following seven years, Dimmesdale's guilt had completely overrun his life. So, Dimmesdale decided with Hester to leave town, and start anew. However, Before Hester ... and Dimmesdale could leave, Dimmesdale had to make one last speech. On the day of this confession, it seemed that Dimmesdale was a changed man. He was confident, and no longer slouched like there was a weight pressing ... down on his shoulders. After his speech Dimmesdale became pale ...

• Word Count: 748
• Approx Pages: 3
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... in meaning, standing for the sin of Adultery. To resonate the "A" in the mind of the reader Hawthorne displays the letter in a variety of altered profiles. Besides being the beacon from Hester's breast the letter "A" is presented in several forms. It is on the armor breastplate in Governor Bellingham's garden, in the sky on the night of Dimmesdale's scaffold vigil, continually little Pearl is pictured to be the scarlet letter personified, and ... the most dramatic of the "A"'s is that which ... ...

• Word Count: 661
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

... very important, but the one that stood out the most was isolation. Many characters throughout the story, such as Hester, Pearl, and Dimmesdale experienced isolation, the consequence of sin. In Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter, the theme with the greatest amount of emotional meaning and importance is isolation. Hester Prynne, the scarlet letter bearer who committed adultery, is the protagonist that experiences isolation the most throughout the novel. As the consequence of her ... from men." (251) Dimmesdale's actions are strongly influenced by experiencing loneliness, separation,...

• Word Count: 979
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School

... her gaze on Dimmesdale and reaches out towards him. Many times throughout the novel, the events and actions involving Pearl hint at who her father is. While at the Governor's Hall, Hester pleads with the Governor to keep Pearl. When the Governor denies Hester the right to keep Pearl, she turns to Dimmesdale and cries for him to speak for her. "Thou knowest, - for thou hast sympathies which ... " (Lawrence 94).Also, later on at the Governor's Hall, Pearl runs up to Dimmesdale and kisses him on the cheek. Since Pearl is almost supernatural, this event encourages one to think that Pearl and...

• Word Count: 700
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

... would be ruined and so Hester would be just as miserable as she was. Pearl became the "mother's only treasure" (Hawthorne 92) Pearl kept Hester alive and yet in some strange way punished her by reminding her of the dreaded sin that she committed. When we start to learn about Arthur Dimmesdale, we ... Hester. As time goes by Hester gets used too wearing the letter, Pearl becomes older and Dimmesdale continues to torture himself. One night while Hester was walking home from the deathbed of the Governor she saw Dimmesdale standing on the very scaffold that her and little Pearl stood many ye...

• Word Count: 1114
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School

... brings about a child, a new burden on Hester's already troubled life. Pearl's wit and perception, even at three years old, lead many to believe her father to be the Devil. Only Hester knows the real truth; Arthur Dimmesdale, the reverend, is Pearl's father. Because she committed adultery, Hester represents everything dark and sinful, whereas the young gorgeous Pearl represents everything light and beautiful. Hawthorne uses contrasting symbols of ... a contrast to herself: she looks magnificent, yet her cleverness and insight makes her seem to be a child of the Devil. Pearl continues to ...

• Word Count: 803
• Approx Pages: 3
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School