Biblically, we all are sinners. We all “fall short of God’s glorious standard.” (Romans 3:23) But, the way Hawthorne uses the Puritan society seems to contradict that statement. The way the society acts strict and unforgiving towards the main character, Hester Prynne, who is the novel’s protagonist and the wearer of the scarlet letter “A”, which signifies that she is an “adulterer”, expresses the hypocrisy of the Puritans. This is clearly shown through the exclusion, the badge of infamy, and the resent of Hester’s only treasure-Pearl. ** Clearly, Hester’s sin was out in the open for everyone to see.
The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne is a compelling novel about the repercussions of guilt and “sin”. While this story takes place in a strict Puritan community, one can see the relation of Sigmund Freud theories of libido that can be compared to this novel because it discusses the passion that exists as a natural part of human nature which criticizes that community’s strict ways. Pearl, Hester’s child comes into the story at the very beginning; “a great law had been broken; and the result was a being, whose elements were perhaps beautiful and brilliant, but all in disorder.” (62). Pearl represents the innocence of the natural human desires. Hester named Pearl Pearl because she gave all she had for her and so she is of great value such as a pearl.
As a baby, Pearl seems instinctively drawn the A. Symbolically, this suggests a connection between the baby and the A as they are born from the same sin, but some may speculate that the decorative nature of the letter during a time period of particularly bland dress would draw one’s attention. As she grows older, Pearl tortures her mother by giving attention the A. One might argue that the dark nature of her birth (sinful in fact) gives her the impish behavior that inspires her to press Hester’s buttons. 3. What did the townspeople say about Pearl?
Formed by a concentric lawyer of nacre as an abnormal growth within the shell of some mollusks are Pearls. Pearls have always been held as a valuable gem to mankind, but In Nathanial Hawthorn’s novel the Scarlet Letter, Pearl is not only the child of the adultress Hester Prynne, but she is what the puritans considered as inhuman and that she was the demon child born out of sin, A disgrace to their society. In committing this sin, Hester was to wear a scarlet letter on her bosom for the rest of her life as well as deal with a child that was the fruit of infidelity. “Pearl… as being of great price-purchased with all she had-her mother’s only treasure!” Nathaniel Hawthorne, The Scarlet Letter (Page 91). This exhibits not only that her name is worth something but also she ultimately is important and has a purpose for life.
Delaram Yazdani American Literature 1 Final Exam 21 February 2013 Pearl, From Elf to Treasure The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne is a story of puritanical society, a kind of society which confronted Hester for having committed the sin of adultery, and expelled her from the community by making her to wear the Scarlet Letter “A”. Pearl is the outcome of the sin. She represents the Scarlet Letter, or better to say, she is the living symbol of the Scarlet letter. However, she meant treasure to her mother, a gift from the Almighty God, and brought liveliness and happiness to her life. ““God gave me the child?” cried she.
It was due to the sin of Hester Prynne and Arthur Dimmesdale that Pearl was consummated, but it was a sin that came out of love for each other. Ernest Sandeen wrote that “Hester Prynne can never honestly bring herself to regard her relations with Arthur Dimmesdale as ‘sinful’ ” (Sandeen 350).
Hester's vivid passion and beauty, her humanity, is at once her downfall and her saving grace. The ability to stand firm in the face of adversity takes a great toll, but emerging from the darkness and actively living can lead to endless possibilities. Many characters throughout the story, such as Hester, Pearl, and Dimmesdale experienced isolation, the consequence of sin In conclusion, the theme with the greatest magnitude of importance in Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter is isolation. Many characters from various parts of the story experience it. Examples like Hester’s alienation during the scaffold scene, Pearl being shunned by children, and Dimmesdale’s isolation caused by his thoughts and intentions contributed to the novel’s prestige and grandeur.
When Rochester’s tells his tale (pg429-437), Jane’s narration portrays him as beastly, blaming his situation, on the unfortunate, lunatic Bertha, when the union was concocted by Rochester’s father. Religious sincerity is a constant presence within Jane Eyre, Brontë examines corruption, authenticity and the threat of religious beliefs. “My Uncle Reed is in heaven, and can see all you and think; …” (pg31, Jane Eyre) this comment by Jane is a threat to Mrs. Reed that on the monumental Day of Judgement, she will be condemned for her harsh treatment of Jane. The character Mr
Throughout history, people have committed all types of sins, and whether they are major or minor, people have been punished. In the novel The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, deals with a never-ending theme of sin. Hester Prynne is being publicly ridiculed for committing adultery and has to wear a red scarlet letter due to her sin. She also has a daughter with the name of pearl who is believed to be evil and also symbolizes Hester’s sin. Nathaniel Hawthorne, allows the reader to interpret the scarlet letter in his novel in many different ways.
Especially when she reminisces in the final stanza about the time she was young and beautiful, illustrating her complete lack of confidence. Nevertheless, she is still presented as a foul character who threatens the reader, with the line ‘Be terrified’. The poem also ends with the line ‘Look at me now’ which has a double entendre (double meaning). It could be read as a cry of despair or, as a threat – if you did look at Medusa you would die! This leaves the reader feeling conflicting emotions for the character, probably similar to how Medusa herself feels in the poem.