Pearl In Scarlet Letter
What is the greatest sin that can be committed by a human being? Is it murder, robbery, or something else? There is no exact answer to this question; it depends on one's own view of sin. In The Scarlet Letter, by Nathaniel Hawthorne, a woman by the name of Hester Prynne is condemned for committing a sin, which is adultery. The townspeople, who are Puritans, consider adultery a terrible crime that is worthy of prosecution. However, Hester does not receive the death penalty because they were sympathetic towards her. They summoned her only to stand on a public scaffold for three hours and to wear the letter A for the rest of her life. But, this is not the only mark that she has to wear. She gave birth to a child, which is the product of her sin. This child will serve as Hester's other mark of her sin. Hawthorne endorses this child with some important symbols, and in these symbols, he conveys deeper and more complex meanings. Pearl, as the child is named, is utilized by Hawthorne as a treasure, a symbol of Hester's sin, and as a representation of God's punishment and mercy. Pearl is perceived as a treasure, of the rarest and most precious kind. "Pearl, as being of great price, purchased with all she had
Pearl creates many impressions to the reader. She is dynamic, forever changing her moods and feelings. These moods and feelings create a sense of mystery surrounding the child, for the reader never knows what Pearl is feeling or thinking. By utilizing Pearl as a treasure, a symbol of Hester's sin, and a representation of God's punishment and mercy, the reader may be able to understand why Pearl is important to the development of the novel. By focusing in the novel's deeper meanings, one should realize that Pearl is the scarlet letter, the punishment for Hester, and also plays a part in Hester's salvation. Hawthorne ingeniously combines all this into Pearl, making Pearl truly one of his strongest and most valuable symbols. The truth has been revealed, and God will now forgive them all. God frees Dimmesdale from his guilt, Hester from her scarlet letter, and Pearl from her errand as a messenger of anguish. Pearl is no longer the scarlet letter, and she is freed from her position as a messenger of anguish. "The great scene of grief, in which the wild infant bore a part, had developed all her sympathies; and as her tears fell upon her father's cheek, they were the pledge that she would grow up amid human joy and sorrow....towards her mother too, Pearl's errand as a messenger of anguish was all fulfilled." (Pg. 233) , her mother's only treasure!" (Pg. 82) Hester paid a great price for Pearl, the price of isolation, humility, and guilt. The townspeople would not have acknowledged Hester's sin if she did not become pregnant with Pearl. Hester is seen as a outcast among the townspeople, and Pearl is now Hester's only companion, her only reason to live, her only treasure. There is nothing in this world that Hester deems as more important than her child. For this child is the bond that binds her life t
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Approximate Word count = 1222
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)
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