In The Scarlet Letter Nathaniel Hawthorne has not only created an intriguing plot, but also some very “picturesque” characters, among whom the character of Pearl can probably be viewed as the most unique one. Pearl, a composition of demon offspring and elf-child, cannot but raise the question of her identity, and nature, from the day she is born. Not only the Puritan community, even her own mother persistently questions her human nature and allegorizes her as a token of guilt. Not even Hawthorne can restrain himself in reminding us constantly about the symbolic and functional nature of Pearl, so that even the most ignorant reader must notice her resemblance of the Scarlet Letter in the story. But is Pearl really just a purpose-fulfilling construction? Or is there more to this character than its function? Is a child’s fascination with a shiny and colorful object really that unusual? And is it unusual for a child to behave wild if the mother raises the child in a non-authoritative form? Could it be that any real child, born into a situation described in The Scarlet Letter, would develop as Hawthorne develops the character of Pearl?
This work will raise the question of Pearl’s true nature and examine whether her character in Hawthorne’s romance is purely shaped by her function. Yet, an analysis of Pearl’s character would be a futile attempt if viewed independently of all other characters. The reader never gets to know the “independent character” Pearl. She is always reflected via her interaction with other characters or objects. Her thoughts remain obscure to the reader – unlike the other characters’. Thus, an analysis on Pearl will consist of an analysis of her interactions with the other characters in the story.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. The Birth of a Living Symbol
3. A Symbol at Work
4. The True Revelation of the Symbol
5. Conclusion
6. References
Research Objectives and Themes
This academic paper examines the nature of the character Pearl in Nathaniel Hawthorne’s "The Scarlet Letter," specifically investigating whether she functions merely as a symbolic device or possesses an independent, child-like identity. It explores how Pearl’s interactions with her mother, Hester Prynne, and the Puritan community shape her existence and whether her development is dictated by her function as a "messenger of anguish" or by her own innate traits.
- The symbolic nature of Pearl in relation to the Scarlet Letter.
- Pearl’s role as an emotional and spiritual link between her parents.
- The influence of the Puritan environment on the perception of the child.
- Pearl’s development from an infant symbol to a character with a distinct identity.
- The contrast between Pearl’s "wild" nature and the societal expectations of children.
Excerpt from the Book
The Birth of a Living Symbol
When Pearl is introduced into the story, she is an infant of three months, facing daylight for the first time. Her mother Hester, who has just made her way from the prison door to the scaffold, holds the infant in her arms (see picture below). The reader is introduced to Hester Prynne, her appearance of “perfect elegance” and “exquisitely painful [beauty]”. Furthermore, the reader is given a glance at the Scarlet Letter, worn by Hester as a punishment inflicted upon her by the Puritan community for her adulterous actions. The letter, “in fine red cloth” and embroidered with gold thread, is depicted from the start as eye-catching and extraordinary – not only in the Puritan community. Hawthorne himself succumbed to the spell of this shiny, mysterious object when he found it in the Custom House. And by “inclosing [Hester] in a sphere by herself,” the Scarlet letter takes on a prominent position in the life of Pearl and her mother.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: The author outlines the scope of the study, questioning whether Pearl is purely a symbolic construction or an independent character.
2. The Birth of a Living Symbol: This chapter analyzes Pearl’s introduction into the narrative and her immediate identification as a symbol of her mother's sin.
3. A Symbol at Work: The section examines Pearl’s active role in challenging her parents and navigating the constraints imposed by the Puritan society.
4. The True Revelation of the Symbol: This part focuses on the final resolution of Pearl’s narrative arc following Dimmesdale’s confession.
5. Conclusion: The author summarizes the findings, asserting that Pearl serves both as a functional symbol and a complex child character.
6. References: Provides the bibliographic basis for the academic analysis of Hawthorne’s work.
Keywords
Pearl, The Scarlet Letter, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Symbolism, Identity, Puritanism, Hester Prynne, Arthur Dimmesdale, Sin, Atonement, Child nature, Narrative function, Romanticism, Allegory, Identity development
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this paper?
The paper focuses on the character of Pearl in Nathaniel Hawthorne's "The Scarlet Letter," analyzing her dual nature as a symbolic emblem of sin and as a developing child.
Which central thematic areas are explored?
The study explores themes of identity, the conflict between individual nature and social dogma, the symbolic weight of objects, and the relationship between parent and child within a restrictive society.
What is the core research question?
The research seeks to determine whether Pearl’s character is purely a purposeful construction designed by the author, or if she displays traits of a real child growing under extraordinary circumstances.
Which scientific methodology is employed?
The paper utilizes a literary analysis approach, focusing on character interaction, textual evidence from the novel, and secondary scholarly interpretations to support its argument.
What topics are discussed in the main body of the work?
The main body examines Pearl’s emergence as a symbol at birth, her interaction with her parents throughout the story, her role in the forest scenes, and her eventual transformation toward a happy ending.
How are the key terms defining the work characterized?
The key terms include symbols like the Scarlet Letter, the psychological conflict of the protagonists, and the theological and social landscape of 17th-century Puritanism.
How does Pearl interact with the Scarlet Letter?
Pearl is consistently drawn to the letter, identifying it with her mother's identity and showing an obsession that fluctuates between fascination and mocking recognition.
Does the author suggest Pearl has a truly "happy" ending?
Yes, the author notes that unlike other characters in the tragic narrative, Pearl is the only one who achieves a "happy, romance-like ending" by leaving for Europe, suggesting a break from the cycle of suffering.
- Quote paper
- Anja Schmidt (Author), 2004, Pearl’s twilight nature in "The Scarlet Letter": Emblem of sin or self-fulfilling prophecy?, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/30314
