Pearl, is an effective and dynamic character in, "The Scarlet Letter." She is a constant reminder to Hester's sin. Hawthorne uses vivid descriptions to characterize Pearl in a variety of different circumstances. Pearl is first described as an infant whose innocent life had sprung by the inscrutable decree of Providence. She is often seen as a lovely and immortal flower, out of the rank of luxuriance and guilty passion. It was this guilty passion that immediately drew Pearl to the scarlet, "A," on Hester's bosom. "But the first object of which Pearl seemed to become aware was the scarlet letter on Hester's bosom! One day, as her mother stooped over the cradle, the infant's eyes had been caught by the glimmering of the gold embroidery about the letter' and, putting up her little hand, she grasped at it, smiling not doubtfully, but with a decided gleam," (Hawthorne, 88). Pertaining to chapter 6, Pearl is viewed at the age of three and begin to learn that she possesses a rich and luxuriant sense of beauty; "a beauty shown with deep and vivid tints." She too, "glistens with a bright complexion, eyes possessing intensity both of depth and glow," (Character Analysis Pearl). Pearl is a dynamic character who progressively changes by means of her behavior, personality, and knowledge throughout the course of the novel, by Nathaniel Hawthorne.
On the contrary, Pearl is rumored by the town to be a devil child due to her being born out of sin (Chapters 7-12). It does not help that Pearl frequently displays an array of odd and cruel behaviors as well as sheepish remarks. In chapter 10, Pearl is seen dancing in the graveyard and hooking burrs onto the, "A," attached to Hester's chest. Pearl then begins to throw burs at the window that the minister Reverend Dimmesdale is sitting behind (Chapters 7-12). Pearl is unaware of who her father is, and it is Hester who refuses to answer her questions about her past.
