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." (81-82). Pearl is ravishing, with "beauty that shone with deep and vivid tints' a bright complexion, eyes possessing intensity both of depth and glow, and hair already of a deep, glossy brown, and which, in after years, would be

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 an equal. Hawthorne describes another sign of acceptance as the "great black forest...became the playmate of the lonely infant." (187). Eventually it is declared, "The truth seems to be, however, that the mother-forest, and these wild things which it nourished all recognized wildness in the human child." (188). 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 adapt!

There are many continuous themes in which Pearl and her actions are large contributions to their overall portrayal. The theme of alienation, which is exhibited throughout all of the main characters, is clearly seen in the descriptions of Pearl. Pearl is always unaccepted by the community (which has already been addressed); she is shunned because of her mother's sin. This can easily be viewed by analyzing the many various ways she is described by Hawthorne, by being weird and eerie, having imaginary friends, and continuously being called "elf-child". She is ostracized and alienated from the Puritan society and the children of the community, contributing largely to the theme of alienation. Another theme in which she contributes to is the theme of beauty and its portrayal. "So smooth and quiet that it reflected a perfect image of her little figure, with all the brilliant picturesqueness of her beauty, in its adornment of flower and wreathed foliage, but more refined and spiritual!

One of the most complex and elaborate characters in The Scarlet Letter is Pearl, the daughter of Hester Prynne and Arthur Dimmesdale. Pearl, throughout the story, develops into a dynamic individual, as well as an extremely important symbol- one who is constantly changing. Pearl is involved in a complex history, and as a result is viewed as different and is shunned because of her mother's sin. Pearl is a living Scarlet A to Hester, as well as the reader, acting as a constant reminder of Hester's sin.

Because of Pearl's banishment from Puritan society she was thrown to another way of life and her wildness and peculiarity is a direct product of her banishment. Her character acts as a mysterious and interesting symbol in The Scarlet Letter. Pearl is an important character, as she is a constant reminder to Hester, as well as to the reader, of the constant sin of Hester. She contributes largely to the themes of the noel through her peculiar history. The one character that seems to play the most uninvolved role in the noel, is one of the most intense symbols and individual throughout.

ized than the reality." (190). This quote describes the beauty that Pearl has attained while she is playing in the forest and Hester and Dimmesdale talk. Her natural beauty is enhanced as she approaches Hester and Dimmesdale, her mother and father. This beauty brings together the theme of love, that is present between the three, as well as the importance of shame. While Pearl approaches her mother, whom is not wearing the scarlet A and whose hair is down, she refuses to acknowledge her without her A and capped hair. This shows Pearl's dissent for beauty as a solution to sin, which is expressed in the first few chapter when Hester is lightly punished for her adultery.

The members of the Puritan society view Pearl as a weird, strange little girl, born from a sinful act. However, the characters with a closer, more in depth relationship to the child, feel differently towards Pearl. "She is a stran

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Approximate Word count = 3794
Approximate Pages = 15 (250 words per page double spaced)