However, throughout the novel, one can really see that Hester looks at Pearl as a true blessing; since at two different occasions such as when Hester refers to Pearl as her happiness, her pearl, and also the meaning behind the naming of Pearl, one can see her love for her. ... Pearl keeps me here in life" (103-104). ... One quote reads, "Her Pearl! ... This quote explains Hester's reasoning for naming Pearl, Pearl. A pearl is valuable and Hester names Pearl this because she believes Pearl is a treasure, something to be proud of; her treasure. ...

• Word Count: 520
• Approx Pages: 2
• 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

Hester sees a lot of herself in Pearl, perhaps too much. ... Pearl answers in a laughing way "Tell me Mother!" ... Pearl enjoys touching her mother's scarlet letter. ... She sees herself in a new way, as Pearl sees her. ... Pearl also gets those looks. ...

• Word Count: 509
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School

When Pearl is first talked about in the book, she seems to be something of a spoiled brat. But Hester describes Pearl as her "only joy in life", that without Pearl she would die. Throughout the book one can see that this is true, even though Pearl is rather obnoxious at times. When the governor tries to take pearl away from Hester, she is all but in despair. ... In fact, Hester was so in despair about losing Pearl that when Mistress Hibbins asks her to go to see the Black Man in the forest, she replies, "Had they taken her from me, I would have willingly gone with thee into the forest."...

• Word Count: 445
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School

Another aspect of her punishment was Pearl. ... Pearl was metaphorically linked to the scarlet letter . Pearl was considered an extension of the letter, and reminded her mother daily of her sin. "Hester could not help questioning, at such moments, whether Pearl were a human child"(92). ... Hester also tried to take very good care of Pearl. ...

• Word Count: 611
• Approx Pages: 2
• 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

Both the story and the song show the pain, guilt, wondering, and love Hester, Pearl, Chillingworth, and Dimmesdale feel. ... Hester has to change herself when she gives birth to Pearl, she has to be ready for the consequences of what she has done. ... Dimmesdale cannot tell the Puritan community he is the father of Pearl, which causes him to become ill and never get what he truly wants. ... They cannot be together in public but in the forest they can be themselves and show their love for each other and their love for Pearl. ... What does Pearl have to say for herself for being a mischiev...

• Word Count: 634
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

This is proven when a man tells Chillingworth that the people of the town have punished Hester and when governor Bellingham decides to take Pearl away from Hester because of what she identifies as her creator. ... On these pages, Governor Bellingham decides if Pearl should continue to live with her mother. At first, Bellingham decides to take Pearl away from Hester because Pearl states that she was plucked from a bush of wild roses instead of being created by God. Reverend Dimmesdale later persuades Bellingham that it was God's will to keep Pearl with her mother. ... Although the scar...

• Word Count: 942
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School

These repercussions are felt by her daughter, Pearl, as well. Pearl had no friends and was treated poorly by the other children. ... During this time, Hester refuses publicly name Pearl's father. ... "I can teach my little Pearl what I have learned from this!" ... This quote not only illustrates Hester's strong will, but also her immense love for her daughter, Pearl. ...

• Word Count: 912
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School

These repercussions are felt by her daughter, Pearl, as well. Pearl had no friends and was treated poorly by the other children. ... During this time, Hester refuses publicly name Pearl's father. ... "I can teach my little Pearl what I have learned from this!" ... This quote not only illustrates Hester's strong will, but also her immense love for her daughter, Pearl. ...

• Word Count: 909
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School

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. ... Pearl asked the Reverend to stand with her and Hester on the scaffold in the daytime; he declines even though they would have all stood together. ... He never truly says that he committed adultery with Hester and that Pearl in fact is his daughter. ... Hester's betrayal of him coerced him to want to inflict vengeance on the man that seduced his wife and fathered Pearl. ... He did not own up ...

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

His vigil and meeting with Hester and Pearl in the wee hours of the morning on the scaffold was the turning point of my impression of him. Pearl's role in the story, I felt, was the scarlet letter come to life. ... In my opinion, the most interesting aspect of Pearl's character is her reaction to seeing her mother without her brand and cap when she meets with Mr. ... When he arrives, she sends Pearl to go play and sits down to a conversation with him. ... Pearl's obvious contempt for Dimmesdale is also shocking because in their previous meetings, she had not been so hostile. ...

• Word Count: 1043
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School

Dimmesdale, later turning out to be the father of Pearl, the product of Hester's sin, is now starting to feel the aspects and effects of the sin that he has committed. ... Being that no one knows whom the father of Pearl is, Dimmesdale tells no one also, thinking that he can get off scotch-free. ... Dimmesdale exhibited no system of positive and vivacious suffering, except that, as little Pearl had remarked, he kept his hand over his heart." ...

• Word Count: 798
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

Dimmesdale, Hester, and Pearl are atop the scaffold when, "a light gleamed far and wide over all the muffled sky. ... Another symbol from above shows Hester estranged from society. " '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 Stand you here, and let me run and catch it' Pearl did actually catch the sunshine, and stood laughing in the midst of it until her mother had drawn almost nigh enough to step into the magic circle too As she attempted to do so, the sunshine...

• Word Count: 1118
• Approx Pages: 4
• 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

Hester Prynne, the leading character of The Scarlet Letter, and Edna Pontellier of The Awakening, are both women with striking similarities and distinctions. Both of these women live in a culture in which women have no rights and must live a life predestined by their society. Mutually Edna and Heste...

• Word Count: 998
• Approx Pages: 4