Even though Pearl served many purposes in this book, her primary function was as a symbol. ... Consequently, Pearl can be viewed as both punishment for the sin and as a blessing from nature. ... Hester declined this invitation because the governor allowed her to keep Pearl. Many times during the novel, Hawthorne has the readers wondering if Pearl is "human" or not, and during those moments, Pearl functions as a symbol of an unsolved mystery or crime. The question of whether Pearl is normal or not becomes clearer when Dimmsdale's relationship to Pearl is revealed. ...

• Word Count: 843
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

Brett Marc American Literature Oct 22 2003 Scarlet Letter - Pearl as a symbol Pearl is a symbol of Hester's transgressions and even has similar qualities as the sin which she represents. ... (p64) Pearl is Hester's hope, life, friend, and pardon. Although Pearl is definitely a positive, spirit building, influence on Hester's life, Pearl's main role as the scarlet letter proves to challenge Hester's resolve. ... Pearl is the complete fulfillment of Hester's roles as a human. ... Nature "recognized a kindred wildness in the human child [Pearl]." ...

• Word Count: 765
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

They punish her further by making both Hester and Pearl social outcasts. ... Pearl is not an easy child. ... To Pearl, the scarlet letter is simply part of her mother. ... Hester and Pearl leave Boston for a period of time. After Pearl marries and settles down, Hester returns to Boston. ...

• Word Count: 1285
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School

Additionally, he adds, Hester feels bound to Pearl's father, who apparently continues to live in Boston. ... Each time Hester watches or talks to Pearl, she is reminded of the life she has chosen for herself. Pearl is the sign of Hester's shame. ... Pearls existence lets Hester believe that out of every sin comes a precious treasure. ...

• Word Count: 295
• Approx Pages: 1
• Grade Level: High School

"Pearl took some eel-grass, and imitated, as best as she could, on her own bosom, the decoration with which she was so familiar on her mother's."" (163) Hester's daughter Pearl wanted to imitate her mother; she was terrified by it. Pearl was unaware of the significance of the scarlet letter to the Puritans; she tried to get information from her mother to uncover what it meant. ... " Hester Prynne, leading along little Pearl, in her scarlet grab, and pointing her forefinger, first at the scarlet letter on the bosom, and then at the clergyman's own breast."" (134) The dream...

• Word Count: 789
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

This type of language seems to stay consistent throughout the story, even when Mistress Hibbins and young Pearl are speaking. ... This aspect also foreshadows later events as Hester is the strongest link in the relationship between her, Dimmesdale, and young Pearl. ... Also, I found it ironic that "Pearl," a name often associated with elegance and purity, came from something so sinful and immoral. ... Even little Pearl represents the "connecting link between the two [Hester and Dimmesdale]." ... The reader is never certain about what actually becomes of Pearl, but we do find out that He...

• Word Count: 1296
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School

The next significant character is Hester's daughter Pearl. ... Pearl is a symbol of naturalism. ... Pearl also possesses individualism. ... Once in the center of town he approaches the scaffold where Hester and Pearl stood. ... Once there he publicly confesses to being Hester's lover and Pearl's father. ...

• Word Count: 1687
• Approx Pages: 7
• Grade Level: High School

I think that Dimmesdale does not admit to the townsfolk that he is the father of Pearl because he is afraid to love. ... Dimmesdale's reconciliation, I believe is finally attained at the end of the novel in which he, Hester and Pearl are together upon the scaffold as a family. ... One cannot earn their forgiveness without doing some sort of penance, Dimmesdale's penance I believe was living with pearl. Pearl was a message from God, a message of Anguish. As our narrator tells us "Pearl's errand as a messenger of anguish was all fulfilled"(pg175). ...

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

The result of this extra marital affair was the birth of young Pearl, an "elf-like" child. ... Hester was now living on the outskirts of town, isolated from neighbors and trying to communicate with her daughter Pearl. ... However, at times in the novel, it seems that she has overcome her guilt and her love for Pearl is unmatched, yet the scarlet letter always reminds her of her adulterous sin. ...

• Word Count: 802
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

Finally after a encounter with Hester and Pearl at the scaffold Dimmesdale decided that he would reveal himself because it was the right thing to-do instead of just letting Hester and Pearl take the suffering when he had just as big of a part in it as she did (Hawthorne 203-213). ... He stood up on it and called for Hester and Pearl, and then holding Pearls hand he confessed his sin to the public. After that he kneeled down to Pearl and asked for her to kiss him on the forehead. Pearl did and at that moment Dimmesdale fell over and died (Hawthorne 225-228). ...

• Word Count: 1813
• Approx Pages: 7
• Grade Level: High School

Living in a Puritan community, Hester is shunned for her actions, and she was forced to be humiliated in front of the town while standing on the scaffold with her daughter, Pearl. ... Hester's sin has affected her in a positive way in the person of Pearl, the daughter of Hester, which is the symbol of her illicit love affair between Hester and Arthur. ... Pearl becomes the living manifestation of Hester's sin and her conscience (Hull). ...

• Word Count: 1373
• Approx Pages: 5
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

Living in a Puritan community, Hester is shunned for her actions, and she was forced to be humiliated in front of the town while standing on the scaffold with her daughter, Pearl. ... Hester's sin has affected her in a positive way in the person of Pearl, the daughter of Hester, which is the symbol of her illicit love affair between Hester and Arthur. ... Pearl becomes the living manifestation of Hester's sin and her conscience (Hull). ...

• Word Count: 1442
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: High School

The Scarlet Letter The Scarlet letter is a novel written by Nathaniel Hawthorne. It is about a woman who was convicted on a horrible crimes back in the 17th century. This story has many themes within its binding. One of the very obvious themes is Civilization verses the Wilderness. In th...

• Word Count: 362
• Approx Pages: 1
• Grade Level: High School

John Proctor and Hester Prynne, two characters derived from a seventeenth century, puritan community have interesting views on life. John Proctor is selected from the play The Crucible written by Arthur Miller. Hester prynne comes from Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter. John and Hester ali...

• Word Count: 630
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

Secret Sin Leads to Guilt In "The Scarlet Letter", Hawthorne depicts a way of life that no longer exists in today's society. It was a society of fear in a strict moral code. The morals, which were based on religious beliefs, were usually taken too seriously and gave birth to a generation of extr...

• Word Count: 558
• Approx Pages: 2
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

What is the biggest sin that a human being can commit? How is sin measured? Is it homicide, adultery, or robbery? "The Scarlet Letter," by Nathaniel Hawthorne have theme that is very substantial to the overall effect of the novel. In essence, this is a story of sin, punishment and the importance of ...

• Word Count: 778
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

"The Scarlet Letter" tells the story of Hester Prynne's sin and all that came about from her daughter's being born because of adultery. The Puritan society, Dimmesdale's, and Hester's story takes place in a strict, hypocritical, and judgmental one. Their adulterous sin was one the puritans believed ...

• Word Count: 854
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, expresses the aspects of a strict Puritan community of 17th century Boston. The values and morals of the Puritan settlement influence the social as well as moral expectations of the people. Many characters are affected by the strict laws, especially, Heste...

• Word Count: 764
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School