Scarlet Letter Pearl Symbolism

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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. As the story unfolds, Pearl’s character carries a form of symbolism. She is mysterious, intelligent and curious. The name itself “Pearl” is proper because of what she means to Hester. For instance Hester names her “Pearl” because she has come to great price, and…show more content…
At birth, Pearl brought joy, to her Hester’s life; she gave Hester’s hope for a better future. But, there were times when those feeling changed due to Pearl out of the ordinary character. However, Hester never stopped loving her daughter. She gave everything up to be the best mother and paid the biggest price which was her reputation, love, community and friendship. As we see, at a chance of loosing her child Hester exclaimed, "I will not lose the child!" Pearl says, "…thou knowest what is in my heart, and what are a mother's rights, and how much the stronger they are, when that mother has but her child and the scarlet letter! Look thou to it! I will not lose the child! Look to it!" (Hawthorne, page 64) Hester at this point believed that her child was her hope, her friend and her future and the best treasure of all. Enough to fight

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