What Does The Pearl Symbolize In The Scarlet Letter

Pearl’s Many Symbols
Pearl is a very important character in the book, The Scarlet Letter, by Nathaniel Hawthorne. Although the majority of the story focuses on Hester, Dimmesdale, and Chillingworth, Pearl is the person who ties them all together. Pearl was born from Hester illegitimately. Even though Dimmesdale is her father, this is not revealed until the end of the story. Hawthorne uses Pearl as many symbols throughout the book. Pearl is the symbol of Hester and Dimmesdale’s sin. However, she is more than that. Pearl represents sin, hope, change, and truth. Fundamentally, Pearl can represent the sin in which both Dimmesdale and Hester committed. Pearl was made because of the sin. This is the first symbol that Hawthorne uses for Pearl because

The narrator states, “But she named the infant ‘Pearl,’ as being of great price - purchased with all she had - her mother’s only treasure” (Hawthorne 98). Pearl was all that Hester had. After her indiscretion was shown to the world by having Pearl, everything else was taken away from Hester. Hester had nothing for which to live, except for Pearl. Hester even had the chance to deliver herself to death in the Black Forest, but she declined because of Pearl. She says, “‘I must tarry at home, and keep watch over my little Pearl. Had they taken her from me, I would willingly have gone with thee into the forest, and signed my name in the Black Man’s book too, and that with mine own blood’” (Hawthorne 129). This shows the love she has for Pearl. Hester loved Pearl so much, she would continue to live just for her. This gives Hester hope and provides her with a future. However if Hester did not have Pearl, she would have probably killed herself. For the narrator states, “Even thus early had the child saved her from Satan’s snare” (Hawthorne 129). Pearl provides Hester with life and gives Hester a hope for the

Pearl is now a symbol of change. Hester’s life undoubtedly changed when she had Pearl. She was shamed, shunned, and embarrassed to walk around. Hester even would consider dying, except for the fact that she has to take care of Pearl. The Governor Bellingham was thinking about taking Pearl away from Hester and giving her to another family. However, Hester would not give up Pearl. Hester promised the governor she would sin no more if she would be allowed to raise Pearl. Governor Bellingham said, “As there shall be no further scandal in the woman” (Hawthorne 127). Pearl indirectly is making Hester stop sinning. However, Pearl is doing much more than this. The narrator describes Hester in the community by, “Every gesture, every word, and even the silence of those with whom she came in contact, implied, and often expressed, that she was banished” (Hawthorne 93). Hester minded her own business and even stayed in a little house in the outskirts of the village. Throughout the book, Hester started to take care of the sick, dying, and poor. People saw the change in Hester and said that the scarlet letter now represents ‘Able.’ If Pearl was not there for Hester, Hester would probably have died in the Black Forest. Hester changed even after Pearl grew up and left her mother. When Hester returned to the village, she started to counsel young women. The townspeople even changed because of Pearl. The people in the village saw Hester