Free College Essays - Symbolism in Hawthornes The Scarlet Letter :: Scarlet Letter essays

The Scarlet Letter Symbolism The Scarlet Letter is a platter of much symbolism. One of the most complex and misunderstood symbols in the have got is pearl, the daughter of Hester Prynne. Pearl, throughout the story, develops into a dynamic symbol - one that is endlessly changing. In the following essay, I will explore some of the symbolism which Pearl came to represent throughout the novel. In The Scarlet Letter, Hester, for her sins, received a scarlet letter, A which she had to wear upon her chest. This was the Puritan way of treating her as a criminal, for the crime of adultery. The Puritan treatment continued, because as Hester would walk through the streets, she would be looked down upon as if she were some sort of demon from Hell, that committed a terrible crime. This would give her much rational anguish and grief. On the otherwise hand, Gods treatment of Hester for her sin was quite different than just a somatic token he gave Hester the punishment of a very unique ty ke which she named Pearl. This punishment handed down from God was a constant mental and physical reminder to Hester of what she had done wrong, and she could not escape it. In this aspect, Pearl symbolized Gods way of punishing Hester for adultery. The way Hesters life was ruined for so coherent was the ultimate price that Hester paid for Pearl. With Pearl, Hesters life was one almost neer filled with gladness, just instead a constant nagging. Pearl would harry her mother over the scarlet A which she wore. Pearl would also give rise her own A to wear, and sometimes she played games with 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 would yell and ca-ca 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 treasure. Pearl was rightfully the only thing tha t Hester had in life, and if Pearl wasnt in Hesters life, Hester would almost surely have committed suicide. Once and a while, Pearl would bring joy to Hesters life, and that helped her to keep on living. Pearl really symbolized a rose to her mother, at some times she could be bright and vibrant, and really love her mother, but at other times, she could be wilting.