The Scarlet Letter

A detailed Summary of The Scarlet Letter


An Essay on the Importance of the character -"Pearl"

A scarlet letter is a mark of shame sewn onto the breast of an adulteress.

Throughout the novel, Pearl remains the reminder of the sin that Hester committed, this is her symbolic importance. Many of the characters in this novel suffer the consequences of their sins, however none seem to suffer as much as Pearl. Despite the fact that she has committed no crime to the society, her very presence and unfortunate circumstance punish her. Pearl is portrayed as an offspring of vice from the moment that she is conceived. We see Pearl as a victim throughout the book; she remains inwardly innocent despite the circumstances that she is brought up in. Not even a shaft of light can reach the guilty soul of her mother inside the jail. It is in this isolated room, away from the discerning villagers waiting outside, that Pearl is brought into the world. Although it is Hester who is directly punished through the austere ways of the period, indirectly Pearl is also being punished. Hester deeply fears her daughter, because she reminds her of her sin. Hester feels guilt towards Pearl too - she believes that her own sin has caused Pearl to receive the harsh tr


When presenting the character, Hawthorne makes a social commentary, claiming Pearl needs both a father and mother to become a complete child. Without this she is portrayed as abnormal, pieces of a child rather than a whole- this could explain her irrational behaviour-and her capability of showing contrasting characteristics.

"She never created a friend, but seemed always to be sowing, broadcast the dragon's teeth"

"There was a trait of passion, a certain depth of hue."

Inevitably Pearl is liberated by the truth. She was unable to develop like any other child because of the circumstances; therefore she becomes part of everything around her. This explains Pearl's ability to converse well with nature, and how only the freed guilt could set her free into the real world. Her own creativity leads her to fantastical imaginary games It is using the tool of her imagination that she copes with her aggression towards the prejudiced villagers:



Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 2465
Approximate Pages = 10 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English

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