Pearl example essay topic

Terrell Johnson October 15, 2000 English Period 1 The Scarlet Letter is a book of much symbolism. One of the symbols in the book is Pearl, the daughter of Hester Prynne. Pearl symbolizes a constant reminder of Hester's sins. She is a real, living breathing person who will always remind Hester of the sin that she committed. She would often constantly nag her mother and become obsessed with the scarlet 'A' which her mother wore. She is anything but a normal Puritan child.

Pearl is so aware of this "A" even if she does not fully understand the meaning of it at her young age. She does have a sense of what this letter meant, and will also make her own to wear. Although Hester has so much trouble with Pearl, she still feels that Pearl is her treasure. Being alienated from society and without Dimmesdale to confess his part in the sin, Pearl is really the only thing that Hester has in life. Pearl is always happiest out in nature, where her relaxed heart seems to communicate with the forces that surround her. Her alienation from the world of humans only strengthens her union with Nature.

Hester cherishes Pearl's existence, though she was born out of what the Puritans considered a sin. Pearl symbolizes a person that Hester can hold on to and call her own, especially when it seems as though she has nothing left in the world. When Hester hears talk about removing Pearl from her and placing her with a guardian, she approaches the Governor and begs to keep her child. Rev. Dimmesdale comes to her defense, and Hester is allowed to raise Pearl, even though the child refused to answer the religious questions posed to her by Rev. Wilson. She wonders about her father and seems to think that Dimmesdale is somehow related to her. She is suspicious of him because he refuses to be seen with her in public.

She also wonders why he always covers his heart with his hand. She is an intelligent child, wise beyond her years. Pearl is a large part of Dimmesdale's wanting to finally confess his sins, as did Hester. He cannot take his emotions being bottled up any longer. He wants to be able to love his daughter, and have her know him as his father. Pearl symbolizes Dimmesdale's part in the adultery just as much as Hester.

She wonders about her father and seems to understand that Dimmesdale is somehow related to her. She is cautious of him because he refuses to be seen with her in public. She is a precocious child, wise beyond her years. Pearl does not fully accept Dimmesdale as her father, until he freely admits his sins, and when she finally accepts him, they have a beautiful relationship. Pearl's is changed at the end of the novel when Dimmesdale stands with her on the scaffold and makes his confession.

It is clear that the Pearl has yearned for his love and acceptance in the public. When he asks her for a kiss this time, she freely gives it. Pearl cries and shows emotion for the first time in the book. This shows that her past is put away and she will be able to live a normal life in the future.