Yet Pearl, from her name to her comfort with nature, is also the most pure character in the novel. At one point the narrator describes Pearl as "the scarlet letter endowed with life." Hester names Pearl with reference to the gospel of Matthew: “But she named the infant ‘Pearl,’ as being of great price, – purchased with all she had, – her mother’s only treasure!” (1:89). Despite the pair’s closeness, Pearl never learns the meaning of the scarlet letter or the identity of her father. The Scarlet Letter, novel by Nathaniel Hawthorne, published in 1850. Log in here. Hester Prynne 2. Learn more. Pearl as a Symbol in The Scarlet Letter In Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter, Pearl, is a symbol of sin and adultery in the sense that she leads Dimmsdale and Hester to their confession and the acceptance of their sins. The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne. Her Pearl!—For so had Hester called her; not as a name expressive of her aspect, which had nothing of the calm, white, unimpassioned lustre that would be indicated by the comparison. The light, of course, is the scarlet letter, shining out of the darkness of the Puritanic gloom. Chillingworth is a malicious, vengeful man. Hawthorne purposefully names Hester's baby Pearl not only to describe the rarity of her personality, but also Hester's sin. It is eventually looked on as a symbol of strength. Pearl provides the text’s harshest, and most penetrating, judgment of Dimmesdale’s failure to admit to his adultery. The next significant name is Chillingworth. Nathaniel Hawthorne’s ‘The Scarlet Letter’ takes place in puritan New England in the 1600s in a backdrop of rigid rules and Christian faith. This is in Chapter 14. Trinity of ... Hester's strength and kind heart transformed the Scarlet Letter from a symbol of shame to a symbol of triumph ... On the contrary, when she lets her hair fall past her shoulders, it is a symbol of her purity and beauty. Pearl's only companion in her playtime is her imagination. A visible symbol of something you have done wrong and regretted, or a stigma of a past mistake you made that follows you. Cloudflare Ray ID: 60f9b4aa6ab7c857 Already a member? Chapter 16: Quote that represents this? At first, it symbolizes Hester’s shame and sin. The parable also symbolizes the value and importance of the Kingdom of Heaven, which also connects to the idea that Hester sees Pearl as the retribution for her sins. In contrast, she dresses Pearl in bright colors, especially crimson, in defiance of the scarlet letter and as a symbol of the child's free spirit. The gates to Heaven are also commonly pictured as made of pearl. She also buys the richest tissues that could be produced to make clothes for Pearl. Nathaniel Hawthorne’s classic literary work, The Scarlet Letter, focuses on two female main characters, Hester and Pearl Prynne, as they search for redemption and acceptance in a 1600s Puritanical society. • In The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, Pearl is the daughter of Hester Prynne and a product of Hester's adulterous relationship with a minister, the … As punishment, the Puritan community she resides in requires her to wear the letter A on her bodice for the rest of her life. Quote at least one line that directly associates Chillingworth with the devil. In chapter 6, Hawthorne writes. "Chillingworth" has chilling in it- which can refer to his cold, hard, calculating and cruel nature. One of the most complex and misunderstood symbols in this novel is Pearl… But what if Dimmesdale is the one who redeems Pearl? Dimmesdale- What does the word "dim" reflect in his name? Pearl is sent to punish Hester just like the badge of shame given by the magistrates. Pearl's name might also be an allusion to "The Parable of the Pearl" in the Bible, in which a merchant sells everything he owns and sacrifices everything he has in order to buy "one pearl of great price": Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it. The result is Pearl. Dimmesdale's name is symbolic of the sin that he has committed by having the affair with Hester. The novel scarlet letter was written by Nathaniel Hawthorne. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one: ). Like Pearl, the letter functions as a physical reminder of Hester's affair with Dimmesdale. Start your 48-hour free trial and unlock all the summaries, Q&A, and analyses you need to get better grades now. The passage refers to the Parable of the Pearl in the New Testament. We’ve discounted annual subscriptions by 50% for our Start-of-Year sale—Join Now! The The Scarlet Letter quotes below are all either spoken by Pearl or refer to Pearl. Even though Hester felt an immense liberty, Pearl did not allow her to keep the “A” off.Pearl is quite possibly the most important symbol in The Scarlet Letter. The Plot Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter begins when Hester Prynne is forced to wear a scarlet “A” on her chest as an outward symbol of her adultery, which is only discovered when she becomes pregnant and gives birth to her daughter, Pearl. Even as a baby, she instinctively reaches for the scarlet letter. Chapter 6 . (of) a bright red color: . Pearl serves as a symbol of her mother's shame and triumph. The letter 'A' that Hester needs to wear in The Scarlet Letter is made of red fabric to ensure that everyone can quickly identify her as an adulteress. Pearls either fall in the natural category or the cultured category. Important quotes by Pearl in The Scarlet Letter. In the setting Hawthorne provides ample Biblical allusion in order to better explore sin, hypocrisy, and true salvation. She's the "pearl of great price" who ends up restoring their souls. The Scarlet Letter was supposed to remind Hester and the townspeople of her sin and make her sorry about her act, but as Hawthorne writes, “The scarlet letter had not done its office” (160). Pearl's life is not easy because of the constant ridicule from the society and from her mother's past sin. The novel is considered a masterpiece of American literature and a classic moral study. As a gift of nature, it is cherished by the world. Pearl bombarding her mother of the true meaning behind the scarlet letter reminds her of her adultery and should be more remorseful of her own deeds. (nicknames- good and bad) 2. From an early age, she fixates on the emblem. Completing the CAPTCHA proves you are a human and gives you temporary access to the web property. Hester is initially made to wear it as punishment for her adultery and as a way for the community to publicly shame her supposed sin. Hester names her daughter Pearl in The Scarlet Letter because Pearl is her most valuable treasure. Cite the page number. Scarlet Letter - Pearl as a symbol Pearl is a symbol of Hester’s transgressions and even has similar qualities as the sin which she represents. Answered by Aslan on 12/19/2017 8:13 PM Pearl is exactly what the name means. Like the letter, Pearl is the public consequence of Hester's very private sin. Like Pearl, the letter functions as a physical reminder of Hester's affair with Dimmesdale. The Scarlet Letter What symbolic meanings does Hawthorne associate with pearls name? But what if Dimmesdale is the one who redeems Pearl? 1. Pearl is a living symbol, the physical embodiment of Hester and Dimmesdale 's sin. Her name represents the … Nathaniel’s novel explores very clearly the themes of the themes of guilt, sin, and legalism. Pearl as a Symbol in Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter 679 Words | 3 Pages. Considering this, what can we learn from the scarlet letter? As you read the … Pearl are created by an irritant entering an oyster, usually a piece of sand or grit. Yet Pearl, from her name to her comfort with nature, is also the most pure character in the novel. He wanted to expose the immorality that was committed by two parents of a daughter called Pearl. Chillingworth- symbol and symbolism, the paper attempts to expound Hawthorne’s skillful employment of symbolism in his masterpiece through the analysis of the symbolic meaning of the main characters’ name in this great novel. Pearl is a living symbol, the physical embodiment of Hester and Dimmesdale 's sin. Pearl- what does Hester refer to her as in the book? But the object that most captures her imagination is the scarlet letter A on her mother's clothing. It meant that Hester was able to help out in good ways in the community. Variations are PERLE and PERLA. In Chapter 19, the narrator even calls Pearl a "living hieroglyphic." The townspeople regard it … Your IP: 94.23.53.58 Being the outcome of Hester’s adultery, Pearl plays an important role in her life, suffering and sharing torments with her. Our summaries and analyses are written by experts, and your questions are answered by real teachers. The name is a reference to the biblical verse 'a pearl of great price.' The work centers on Hester Prynne, a married woman who is shunned after bearing a child out of wedlock but displays great compassion and resiliency. She is, in fact, the personification of that act. The obvious way to read the The Scarlet Letter is to say that Pearl ends up redeeming both her mom and Dimmesdale. The Scarlet Letter, Nathaniel Hawthorne’s 1850 novel about Puritan Boston, then known as the Massachusetts Bay Colony, tells the story of Hester Prynne, a woman who has given birth to a child out of wedlock—a grave sin in the deeply religious community. In Hawthorne's popular novel The Scarlet Letter, the main protagonist, Hester, chooses " Pearl " as the name of her daughter in order to showcase … "When Pearl forms the letter here she forms it out of wanting to be like her mother. He uses sunshine, the forest, roses, the scarlet letter, Pearl, and a prison door to portray deeper thoughts. Are you a teacher? Yet also like the scarlet letter, Pearl becomes Hester's source of strength. Hawthorne says it is the first object of which she seemed aware, and she focuses on the letter in many scenes. In Pearl’s years of existence in Dimmesdale life, she is the living being manifestation of the scarlet letter urging him to repent and relieve himself from his guilt. It simply suggests that the little girl is highly valued. Pearl as a Symbol in The Scarlet Letter The Scarlet Letter, written by Nathaniel Hawthorne is a book of much symbolism. Without burden, Hester would have led a much better … Thus speaking of the scarlet "A" in accordance to Pearl, the letter does mean life. Colors play a similar role to light and darkness. Pearl prefers her mother's hair in … Pearl is a relevant symbol in the novel. Scarlet Letter and a brief study on the two literary terms, i.e. Prynne, however, is fiercely protective of her daughter, and prevents this from happening. The Scarlet Letter. 3. Similar to the merchant, Hester sacrifices her reputation for her beautiful daughter, as Pearl is the most important person to her. (Matthew 13:45-46, King James Version). Pearl’s life and behavior directly reflects the unacceptable and abnormal nature of Hester’s adulterous sin. She is the scarlet letter come to life. Hester goes beyond her punishment and helps the poor, making the townspeople feel that the scarlet letter stands for “able” rather than “adultery” (156). The Scarlet Letter Describe the scene with Hester and Pearl in the sunlight. eNotes.com will help you with any book or any question. scarlet definition: 1. bright red: 2. bright red: 3. By acknowledging her, he gives her a human father and a place in the world. The Names of Cheerleaders. When hearing the name Chillingworth, he sounds like a cold (Chilling) and sadistic man who will go to many lengths to discover who Pearl's father is. What symbolic meaning could the sunkight have? Pearl is the name of the child of Hester. A Scarlet Letter. It is clear that Pearl is as much a blessing to Hester as she is a wicked reminder of the past. Through his portrayal of the main characters, his choice of setting, and his implied moral lessons, he teaches lessons that must be learned for humans to continue living in harmony with one another. Hester is looked down upon by her entire comminunity. The obvious way to read the The Scarlet Letter is to say that Pearl ends up redeeming both her mom and Dimmesdale. Pearl Prynne, the daughter of Hester Prynne, in Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter can be considered the most symbolic character in the novel. First, she is the conscience of the community, pointing her finger at Hester. Pearl, the symbol of the scarlet letter, does not become the destructive force, but brings Hester pride. Previously, it was meant to mark Hester as an adulterer but it came to mean able. In any number of places, she reminds Hester that she must wear, and continue to wear, the scarlet letter. Scarlet Letter Feminism 1479 Words | 6 Pages. Although Pearl is definitely a positive, spirit building, influence on Hester’s life, Pearl’s main role as the scarlet letter proves to challenge Hester’s resolve. Hawthorne writes, "It [Pearl] was the scarlet letter in another form; the scarlet letter endowed with life" (94). In Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter, Pearl is the illegitimate daughter of Hester Prynne, who gives her the name because she is 'her mother's only treasure.' At first it means adultery.Then it means able.Its meaning then becomes indefinite. Pearl cost Hester everything. • She is the being that made her mother's sin known. Although the scarlet letter is meant to be a symbol of shame it turns out to be a powerful symbol of identity. There are three leading characters in the novel. Pearl is as much reminder of the past as is the scarlett letter; she and her mother are shunned by the villagers and forced into isolation together. A pearl, with its mellow color and exquisite appearance, stands for health and purity. Hester's adultery has brought her great misfortune, as the community shunned her and treated her with disrespect, but it also brought her the greatest gift in the form of a beautiful little girl. In the novel, a woman named Hester Prynne, a resident of colonial New England, is convicted of adultery. These characters are: 1. ... Pearl. The word "Dim" is in his name shows how he truly feels guilty about being Pearl's father. Pearl really was the ultimate scarlet letter, because if Pearl had never been born, Hester would have never been found guilty of adultery, and thus never would have never had to wear that tangible burden upon her chest. Hester's daughter Pearl is the result of her infidelity; she was born out of wedlock and seen as a product of shame and disgrace, but she is also as valuable and as precious as a pearl and brings Hester great joy and happiness. The Scarlet Letter - Initially affixed as a punishment for adultery, the scarlet letter means different things as the novel progresses. The scarlet letter is meant to be a symbol of shame, but instead it becomes a powerful symbol of identity to Hester. The Embodiment of the Scarlet Letter. The letter's meaning shifts as time passes. Cherished by the world force, but also Hester 's sin Please complete the security check to access calls a... Hester as an adulterer but it came to mean able a prison door to portray deeper thoughts New!... Coral, or a stigma of a past mistake you made that follows you Hawthorne says it the! Our Start-of-Year sale—Join now our Start-of-Year sale—Join now good ways in the letter... Explores very clearly the themes of guilt, sin, hypocrisy, and a prison door to portray deeper.. 'S clothing must wear, the narrator even calls Pearl a `` living hieroglyphic ''! Sunshine, the forest, roses, the physical embodiment of Hester and Pearl symbols. 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