The Scarlet Letter: Much Symbolism
The Scarlet Letter is a book of much symbolism. One of the most complex
and misunderstood symbols in the book is Pearl, the daughter of Hester Prynne.
Pearl, throughout the story, develops into a dynamic symbol - one that is
always 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 ...
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way Hester's life was ruined for so long was the ultimate price that
Hester paid for Pearl. With Pearl, Hester's life was one almost never filled
with joy, but instead a constant nagging. Pearl would harass her mother over
the scarlet "A" which she wore. Pearl would also make her own "A" to wear, and
sometimes she played games with her mother's, 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 throw dirt at them. So, in this case, Pearl
symbolized the decimation of Hester's life and mental state.
Although Hester had so much trouble with Pearl, she still felt that
Pearl was her treasure. Pearl was really the only thing that Hester had in life,
and if Pearl wasn't in Hester's life, Hester would almost surely have committed
suicide. Once and a while, Pearl would bring joy to Hester's life, and that
helped her to keep on living. Pearl really symbolized a rose to her ...
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The Scarlet Letter: Much Symbolism. (2007, April 14). Retrieved June 21, 2025, from http://www.essayworld.com/essays/The-Scarlet-Letter-Much-Symbolism/63330
"The Scarlet Letter: Much Symbolism." Essayworld.com. Essayworld.com, 14 Apr. 2007. Web. 21 Jun. 2025. <http://www.essayworld.com/essays/The-Scarlet-Letter-Much-Symbolism/63330>
"The Scarlet Letter: Much Symbolism." Essayworld.com. April 14, 2007. Accessed June 21, 2025. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/The-Scarlet-Letter-Much-Symbolism/63330.
"The Scarlet Letter: Much Symbolism." Essayworld.com. April 14, 2007. Accessed June 21, 2025. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/The-Scarlet-Letter-Much-Symbolism/63330.
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