Webster's dictionary defines sin as, "transgression of the law of God,"" or "a vitiated state of human nature in which the self is estranged from God."" However, Hawthorne and Melville believe it to be much more than that. They think of sin as not just man's failing or estrangement from God, but as a living being, capable of its own actions. In both of their books they use symbolism to prove their point and to add a deeper message to their writing. In each of their novels, Hawthorne and Melville show sin as a living, breathing being.
Hawthorne's character Pearl truly exemplifies living sin. She is the ill legitimate daughter of Hester Prynne and Reverend Dimmesdale. The child is born out of the sin of adultery, and according to Hawthorne she is, "An imp of evil, emblem and product of sin, she had no right among christened infants."" (Hawthorne, 2000, p. 45) Hester herself often glimpses flashes of this evilness in her child. Hawthorne writes of her, "It was a face, fiendlike, full of smiling malice - and that "It was as if an evil spirit possessed the child - (Hawthorne, 2000, p. 45) The sinful nature of Pearl is also evident in her everyday existence in that she enjoys causing pain and suffering. Hawthorne writes, "She seized a live horseshoe by the tail, and made prize of several five-fingers, and laid out a jellyfish to melt in the sun."" The elf-child then proceeds to pelt shorebirds with rocks, even injuring one. These are only a few more examples of her sinful nature. In his timeless novel, Hawthorne uses Pearl as a symbol of living sin.
Moby Dick is a timeless tale of man's battle against sin and evil. The men of the Pequod are in a constant evil battle against the white whale Moby Dick. There are many strong symbols in this book, but one of the strongest is Moby Dick being living sin. In Moby Dick, the symbolic message is that sin threatens to destroy the world, which in the story is represented by the Pequod.
