How is Pearl a significant symbol in the story? What is Pearl able to reveal to the reader?
Your responses should be approximately 50-words in length. Be sure to use textual evidence when appropriate. Going over the suggested word count or under that word count is acceptable as long as your response is detailed and direct. Be sure to read the “Scoring Rubric” before posting your response. Also, review your responses for correctness before posting.
Respond often and in a timely manner. It is okay to post a response and then check back days later to see if anyone has responded to you or asked you a question. You will be able to (and expected to) respond to this post throughout the course of the summer.
Simply click on "Comments" below to post your comment. Be sure to type your full name by clicking on the "Name/URL" option or login to your Google account and post your comment.
Simply click on "Comments" below to post your comment. Be sure to type your full name by clicking on the "Name/URL" option or login to your Google account and post your comment.
Pearl is the living symbol of the scarlet letter, her mother’s sin. Pearl’s name is even a symbol. Pearl was the only good thing to come out of Hester’s to come out of dark and damning situation. Just like a real Pearl is a beautiful and valuable gem to come out of a mucky oyster.
ReplyDeletePearl understands the scarlet letter and its meaning, just not like everyone else. Pearl sees the scarlet letter as an essential to her mother and a connection between Hester and Reverend Dimmesdale, a relationship nobody else can see.
Pearl is a significant symbol because she is another version of the scarlet letter. She is another symbol of the sin that her mother has committed. "God gave her into my keeping...Thou knowest what is in my heart, and what are a mother's rights, and how much stronger they are when that mother has but her child and the scarlet letter!" (pg. 133) Her name is very ironic too. Pearl was born from a terrible sin, but she is the light in her mother's eye from this situation. But Pearl has a devilish and weird personality that often scares her mother. "There was witchcraft in little Pearl's eyes." (pg. 183)
ReplyDeletePearl reveals to the reader that she is a blessing and a torture for her mother. She gives her mother and Reverend Dimmesdale a connection that wouldn't be there otherwise.
Pearl is a significant symbol because she is a symbol of the scarlet letter. She is all the good and bad of her mother's sin. Hester is constantly reminded of her sin by not only the scarlet letter but pearl as well. " O Father in Heaven,-if Thou are still my father,-what is this being which I have brought into the world!"(pg.111). While Pearl is a sign of Hester's shame she is also the greatest thing in Hester's life. "-purchased with all she had,-her mother's only treasure!"(pg.103). Pearl was something good that came out of her mother's sin and shame.
ReplyDeletePearl sees a deeper meaning to the scarlet letter and associates her mother and Reverend Dimmsdale to the scarlet letter. She sees their connection while no one else can. She also provides Hester and Dimmsdale with a connection because she was born out of their sin.
Pearl is a significant symbol because she, like the scarlet letter, represents Hester's sin. Although, to Hester, Pearl represents two things, first of course is her sin (looking at Pearl would remind her of this,) secondly Pearl represents the only treasure Hester has. A treasure that comes out of something terrible. Pearl reveals to us a quite different meaning of the scarlet letter, the fact that there was a connection between Hester, Reverend Dimmsdale, and the scarlet letter. Nobody else sees this.
ReplyDeletePearl represents the scarlet letter which her mother wears. Even when dressing the child to go into town, she dressed her in a red dress. On page 77 it says, "in contriving the child's garb... arraying her in crimson velvet tunic, of a peculiar cut, abundantly embroidered with fantasies and flourishes of gild thread." Hester saw her child as a symbol of her sin, but also as a symbol joy. On page 85, Hester says about her daughter, "She is my happiness!... Pearl keeps me here in life!" without Pearl, Hester would have nothing to live for.
ReplyDeletePearl signifies many different things thus far in the novel. First, she is the physical embodiment of Hester’s sin, of the scarlet letter itself. This embodiment is intensified when Pearl requests to be dressed in the same bold scarlet and gold tones as Hester’s A is done in. Additionally, Pearl symbolizes the downfall of passion and lust. At her birth, she is pure and joy filled, depicted even with what could be interpreted as a nimbus similar to a divine being’s ( p.68) , but just as the passion and lust that created her declined into something dark and evil ridden, so does she. She turns into an “evil imp”, tormenting her mother by constantly highlighting her sin by throwing flowers at it or sticking briars to it. Pearl, still beautiful as ever and more so every day, declined to something dark and evil ridden as the sin that created her, however, she still has the golden moments just as Hester’s label has its golden thread. She also allows us to further see the similarities between her and her father, Reverend Dimmesdale. One of the most obvious of these occasions, other than the three of them (Hester, Pearl, and the Reverend) standing side by side of the towns platform of shame, would be on page 92, “In Arthur Dimmesdale thought and imagination were so active,”, just as Pearl’s overly active, impish, imagination allowed her to create scenes more vivid than Hester could ever begin to imagine.
ReplyDeleteI agree with everyone that she is the scarlet letter personified and she is similar to lust. Yet, to me, Pearl is the connection between Hester and Dimmesdale. He also bears the scarlet letter within his soul as Hester wears hers. "And thus, while standing on the scaffold, in this vain show of expiation, Mr. Dimmesdale was overcome with a great horror of mind, as if the universe were gazing at a scarlet token on his breast, right over his heart." (p. 114) Mr. Dimmesdale has been hiding his sin of adultery from everyone. Pearl connects him to Hester in two ways: as the child of them two and as the scarlet letter, since she only has connections to two people, her mother and Dimmesdale, the only people that have this sin upon them.
ReplyDeletePearl is a huge significance thus far in the story. She is basically the living Scarlet Letter and to Hester, every time she looks at pearl, she is reminded of the sin she committed. However, Pearl is a huge blessing to Hester. Even though Pearl is the reason she has to wear the letter and live with her guilt, she keeps the relationship between her mother and Dimmesdale together. Without their daughter, the relationship would be non-exsistant.
ReplyDeletePearl allows the readers to see a different version of the Scarlet Letter. a version that keeps Hester alive instead of wishing she was dead. Pearl also allows the readers to see a relationship between Hester and Dimmesdale that no one else can see.
Pearl is one of the only sources of light that the people of Boston have in a seemingly dark time for the colony. With the townspeople being the pessimistic, rather sorrowful individuals that they are, Pearl is the only one that ever brings a sense of humor into any situation, as she never fails to bring a playful, light-hearted mood to whatever situation they may be in. For instance, on page 104, Mr. Dimmesdale becomes frightened at the sight of a man who turns out to be Roger Chillingworth. Dimmesdale, who seems to be deeply afraid of this figure he does not know, asks Pearl who the anonymous man is. Pearl, being the playful, giggly person she is, whispers into Dimmesdale's ear and then laughs aloud, as if the entire situation is a comedic act. This proves that no matter how a scene is forming in "The Scarlet Letter," Pearl is the one that is unknowingly depended on to lighten the mood of any conversation or event.
ReplyDeletePearl is a symbol of the scarlet letter. She is how something so pure as a child can be so difficult and yet so happy. She brings happiness to heart in her misery and sadness where the true meaning of the letter shows. Pearl is crazy and even rude at times just how the letter symbolizes the what was known as crazy behavior of Hester's adultery. However, when Pearl looks up at her mother and loves her and the letter even though she know not of what it means, just like how the letter reminds Hester that pearl is her silver lining in the clouds.
ReplyDeletePearl is, in my opinion, the most significant symbol within the book, as she is Hester's ultimate punishment, as well as her salvation, in a way. This is repeatedly sen in Hester's own thoughts of Pearl, which range from a sort of fear ("Day after day she looked fearfully into the child's expanding nature, ever dreading to detect some dark and wild peculiarity that should correspond with the guilt ones of which she owed her being") to one of pride and love ("Alone in this world, cast off by it, and with this sole treasure to keep her heart alive, she felt that she posses indefeasible rights against the world..."). (p.84; p.106)
ReplyDeleteTaylor, you make a great case, but what in the book proves your theory?
ReplyDeletePaige and True, I agree with you have to say. Pearl brings a little light in to the darkness, yet she can also a torture to her mother at times.
Pearl is a symbol of consequence. She is the constant reminder to Hester that her actions, such as her disloyalty to her husband, always have a reaction, such as the birth of her elfish daughter. Pearl reveals to the reader that Hester does indeed constantly feel the pain and regret of her adulterous ways. Pearl's glimpses of demented-like behavior proves that Hester did commit a terrible sin and is being punished in a way through her elfish daughter. "…the evil which she inherited from her mother must be great indeed." (pg. 215)
ReplyDeleteTaylor I'm not sure what you mean by a symbol of the scarlet letter. Did you mean as in a symbol to represent her infidelity? Just curious.
ReplyDeletePearl so far has symbolized many things that can be connected to Hester Prynne. She symbolizes the agony brought upon Hester by her sin, as seen on page 109 with the phrase, "It appalled her, nevertheless, to discern here, again, a shadowy reflection of the evil that had existed in herself." Pearl also symbolizes a purity that is untainted by strict Puritan rule. The author often describes Pearl as willful and wild, a child worthy of being a plaything of the angels, with a circle of radiance surrounding her. This wild nature, which goes against Puritan ideals, causes many of the townspeople to think of her as a demon's child.
ReplyDeletePearl symbolizes that everything you do, can have either a good or bad outcome. Everything has consequences. Hester's adultery led to years, basically a lifetime of torture but also a baby girl. In every bad situation you have to find the sunlight, and Pearl symbolizes the sunlight of the whole situation. In Chapter 8, Hester says "I can teach my little pearl what I have learned from this" Pearl was her way of finding the sunlight, to teach right and wrong.
ReplyDeletePearl is a major symbol in the story because she is a walking scarlet letter to Hester. Every time that Hester or the minister look at Pearl they are reminded of the sin that shames them. Pearl can help the reader cue into what Hester and the minister are actually doing and thinking. Pearl in the beginning of the novel acted out showing how Hester treated her. Not particularly in the context of abuse but, in the way of shame and regret for her actions. As Hester begins to change for the better in chapter 14 you see a behavioral change in Pearl as well.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeletePearl is a significant symbol in the story because she is the result of Hester's sin. She is a constant reminder to Hester of the sin she has committed and always questions Hester's actions. "Pearl took some eel-grass, and imitated, as best she could on her own bosom, the decoration with which she was so familiar on her mother's. A letter- the letter A"(161). Hester has yet to tell Pearl what the letter actually stands for and thought Pearl was too young to hear it. Pearl doesn't know any better and makes an A on her chest like her mother's , portraying the sin of adultery. Although Pearl is the result of adultery, she is the one good thing that came from the sin and keeps Hester going. Pearl reveals a different outlook on the scarlet letter, showing that what Dimmesdale and Hester had done was also a good thing, not just bad.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Destiny Maddox. Pearl is like a younger version of Hester and as Hester begins to change for the better and worse, Pearls behavior changes as well. Hester is constantly reminded by Pearl about what she has done, considering the fact Pearl is always asking questions about the A on Hester's chest.
ReplyDeleteI also agree with Sarah Mann. Pearls odd behavior makes some people think of her as a demon's child and they don't want their children near her. But Hester loves Pearl, and her strange ways as well. Hester views Pearl as the one good thing that resulted from her sin. For example, when the puritan children were mocking Pearl and her mother, Pearl scares them off.
ReplyDeletePearl is definantly a major symbol in The Scarlet Letter, but in the eyes of different readers, she can represent different things. For me, Pearl symbolizes the pain of the scarlet letter. In the book we see how she acts up quite often. In addition to this she tends to ask hard questions to her mother. For Hester these acts of her child bother her deeply. In one scene as Pearl is asking one of her questions, "'Go, silly child!' said her mother, impatiently." With the key work "Impatiently" the reader sees that irritability from Pearl. This exemplifies how Pearl, like the scarlet letter, causes pain and irritation in Hester's life.
ReplyDeletePearl is a significant symbol in the story because even though she is a production of Hester's sin she is also one of Hester's greatest blessings. "But she named the infant 'Pearl' as being of great price- purchased with all she had- her mother's treasure!" This quote supports that Pearl is a treasure for Hester but on the other side one has to consider "[Pearl] was the scarlet letter in another form: the scarlet letter endowed with life!", so Pearl is also another piece of tangible proof of Hester's sinful act.
ReplyDeletePearl symbolizes sin but also blessing. She was born of sin and is, in some eyes, thought of as a sin to the earth. Though that may be, she is also a godly gift in her mothers eyes. Even though she was born because of adultery, her mother sees her as her baby girl. She is the light of Hester's life. Love is more powerful then the shame brought upon them.
ReplyDeletePearl shows the reader that even when you feel like you are in pure hell, if there is something to fight for, then there is something to live for. Hester wanted to die. She thought that death is better than a shameful life, but now that she has Pearl, she has a reason to want to live and fight for both her and her daughter's happiness.
Pearl is a symbol that good things can come out of bad things. Pearl of course came from a sinful situation, but Hester was glad to have her. Pearl is always joking and playful, which helps Hester to have a better attitude, considering her circumstances. Some of the townspeople didn't like Pearl, but that didn't affect how Hester felt about her.
ReplyDeleteLike everyone had said pearl is the living embodiment of the scarlet letter or her mothers sin. And like her mothers sin she too roots her mother to reality and reminds Hester that despite how wonderful her daughter may be she had to pay a terrible price (her innocence) for the treasure that is her daughter pearl " Her sin, her ignominy, where the roots which she had struck into the soil." Pg 93. "She named the infant "pearl" as being of great price,- purchased whith all she had, - her mothers only treasure!" Pg 103
ReplyDeletePearl is a significant symbol because Hester is afraid of Pearl at times. Also she is a constant reminder of the sin that Hester has committed, Pearl is another "Scarlet Letter".
ReplyDeleteBut Pearl is something amazing that came out of Hester's sin. In the book it says, "She is my happiness! —she is my torture, none the less! Pearl keeps me here in life! Pearl punishes me too! See ye not, she is the scarlet letter, only capable of being loved, and do endowed with a million-fold the power of retribution for my sin?" (Pg. 103) Hester believes that nothing good could have came from her sin but Pearl is a treasure to Hester. Even though Pearl brings pain to Hester, she still loves Pearl more than ever.
Pearl is also another reason as to why Hester stayed in Boston. Hester stayed there in hope that Pearl would get to know her father, Mr. Dimmesdale.
Pearl or in other words, a reminder of her mother's sin, but also another reason as to why Hester has stayed in Boston. As Hester says, Pearl is her happiness, but she punishes her too. As said on Pg.93, "She names the infant "Pearl as being of great price." Hester paid the price of no longer being that holy and honest person that she once was, but the person who has sinned and made things terrible and wonderful at the same time.
ReplyDeletePearl, aside from being a main character of the story, has a deeper significance than simply being a character. Pearl serves as a constant reminder of her mothers sin and signifies that she can never escape her shame. Even when her mother finally feels free of her sin and removes the scarlet letter, Pearl refuses to accept Hester as her mother again until Hester puts it back on. Only after her mother re-attaches the shameful scarlet letter does pearl say "Yes; now i will [acknowledge you as my mother]!,... Now thou art my mother indeed! And I am thy little pearl!". Pearl will, not by any malicious intent, never allow her mother to forget or move past her sin, and Hester is doomed to that personal shame forever.
ReplyDelete