From Nathaniel Hawthorne'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. ... At first, Pearl is curious of why her mother wears the scarlet letter on her chest. ... This being one of her abnormalities, the townspeople call her a demon child as the author describes, "Pearl was a born outcast of the infantile world. ... Pearl's curiosity of the scarlet letter on Hestor's chest is unusual for a child her age. ... Her understanding of the scarlet increased. ...

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

If the steps and concept of symbolism are then applied to the Nathaniel Hawthorne's novel, The Scarlet Letter, we would find a multitude of example of symbols in the characters' lives, objects and the characters themselves. ... We see light and dark represented though out The Scarlet Letter from seeing Hester in the dark to Pearl in the light. ... Seemingly well informed, Pearl explains this occurrence being caused by the fact that "the sunshine does not love her" mother and it is afraid of something on her chest (Hawthorne 160); the scarlet letter. ... The role of a charac...

• Word Count: 1244
• Approx Pages: 5
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Reality is the only legitimately decisive plane upon which an author can base a piece of writing. ... Similarly, eloquently within the folds of The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, Pearl subtly becomes the epitome of sin and the embodiment of unrelenting evil, using her actions and impish notions as a medium. ... The "elf child" as she is referred to in The Scarlet Letter, is by default and meaning, doomed to sin. ...

• Word Count: 975
• Approx Pages: 4
• Has Bibliography