Symbols and Symbolism in Hawthornes Scarlet Letter - The Symbol of Pearl :: Scarlet Letter essays

The Symbol of pearl  In Nathaniel Hawthornes, The Scarlet Letter, Pearl, is the human symbol of the sin of adultery in the fact that she leads her mother, Hester Prynne, and Arthur Dimmesdale to accept and book to their sin. Pearl is the beautiful daughter of Hester and Dimmesdale. She is the living symbol of the scarlet letter and has unique traits that make her sometimes appear as a demon. Her love for temper and freedom, her spirit, her wildness, her loneliness and separation from the world, her curiosity, and her innocent but symbolic comments reveal her distinct personality. Pearl senses and knows things she should not, qualification her a symbol. Pearl is also the living symbol of Hester and Dimmesdales connection, as displayed in the following passage.   In her was visible the tie that united them. She had been offered to the world, these seven years past, as the living hieroglyphic, in which was revealed the secret they so darkly want to hide, -- all written i n this symbol, -- all plainly manifest, -- 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 mothers 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, knowing that they do not accept her. non knowing what a true friend is, she makes imaginary enemies to fight with. In The Scarlet Letter, Pearl is referred to as one of those naughty elfs or fairies or...a little dame of scarlet plumage (Hawthorne 97). The comparison of Pearl to an elf or fairies adds a sense of alienation and mystery to her personality. When she is compared to a red bird, the emphasis of color increases the optical sense of Pearls character, and the comparison to a bird indicates that she is full of wild energy. (Chiquita) &nbs p Initially Pearl symbolizes the shame of Hesters public punishment for adultery. Then as Pearl grew older, she symbolizes the clang of Hesters life and mental state by harassing her mother over the scarlet A which is embroidered on her dress (Yang). Pearl is a symbol for Hesters scarlet letter.