portrayal of pearl
One of the most complex and elaborate characters in The Scarlet Letter is Pearl, the daughter of Hester Prynne and Arthur Dimmesdale. Throughout the story, Pearl develops into a dynamic individual, is viewed as differently in society and becomes an important symbol. In the beginning, Hawthorne uses vivid descriptions to characterize Pearl. She is first described as the infant; "...whose innocent life had sprung, by the inscrutable decree of Providence, a lovely and immortal flower, out of the rank luxuriance of a guilty passion." (81). From the beginning of her life she is viewed as the product of a sin, as a punishment. Physically, Pearl has a "beauty that became every day more brilliant, and the intelligence that threw its quivering sunshine over the tiny features of this child." In addition, her exquisite dresses and her beauty cause her to be viewed as even stranger from the other typical Puritan children, whom are dressed in traditional clothing.
As a result of Pearl's seclusion from society nature sympathizes with Pearl, which can be seen with the role of the sunshine in the forest. "The light lingered about the lonely child, as if glad of such a playmate," (168). The sunshine is grateful for Pearl, accepting her as equal. Hawthorne describes another sign of acceptance as the "great black forest...became the playmate of the lonely infant." (187). Because Pearl isn't accepted by the community she takes on the characteristics of nature because nature accept her as one of its own. Pearl's character "lacked reference, and adaptation to the world into which she was born. The child could not be made amenable to rules." (83). This quote shows a striking resemblance in description between Pearl and nature. Pearl and nature are referred to as not adapting to Puritan society. This characteristic makes Pearl so different because she is unaffected by the community, and is a product of nature and its ways. Because of Pearl's banishment from Puritan society
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Approximate Word count = 680
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)
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