The Manifestation Of Sin :: essays research papers

The Scarlet Letter is a book of much symbolism. One of the most complex and misinterpret symbols in the book is pearl, the daughter of Hester Prynne. Throughout the story Pearl develops into a prominent symbol of the "A". In this essay the example of symbolism Pearl comes to represent will be explained.In the Scarlet Letter, Hester, for her sins, received a scarlet letter, "A" which she had to wear upon her chest for the rest of her life in Boston. This was the Puritan air of punishing her for her then criminal action of adultery. She wondered the streets to be given sour looks from all. This eventually caused so much mental and physical anguish that she eventually questioned why she should live if it werent for her Pearl. Pearl was a bundle of life sent from god to remind her of her wrong doing each and every moment and as a walk of life sermon to preach against sin for others.Hesters wasted life the ultimate price that Hester paid for Pearl. With Pearl, Hesters life was almost never filled with joy, but instead a constant reminder of the harsh word adultery. Pearl would also make her own "A" to wear, and sometimes she played games wither her mothers trying to hit it with rocks. When Hester would go into the town with Pearl, the other children would make fun of her and Pearl and would yell and throw dirt at them. So in this case, Pearl symbolized the decimation of Hesters life and mental state. Although Hester had so much trouble with Pearl, she still felt that Pearl was her ultimate treasure. Pearl was really the only thing that Hester had in life. Surely if Pearl wasnt in Hesters life, Hester would withstand taken her own life. Once and a while, Pearl would bring joy to Hesters life, and that helped her to bare the guilt, lonesomeness, and isolation that became the main theme of her life. Pearl could be compared to weather, sometimes good, sometimes bad, but always changing. It was Pearls pounding storms that gave Hester so much grief. Pearls exuberant personality caused Puritans to believe she was a child of witchcraft and a mischievous little elf. plainly basically she represented everything that was the exact opposite of Puritan belief. Pearls taunting and malice disposition sometimes even caused Hester to make outbursts like "Thou art non my child Thou art no Pearl of mine" Some would believe the "A" stood for anti-puritan for her wild soul could never be confined by the rules of the conservative Puritan Society.