Sclart Latter
Essay by review • February 10, 2011 • Essay • 255 Words (2 Pages) • 939 Views
In Nathaniel Hawthorne's book "The Scarlet Letter" there are many symbols that are meant for different things. Some are meant for sin, punishment, and people in certain ways.
Pearl has many symbols in this book one of them is being a symbol of her mothers sin. As she get older she asks her mother constantly about the "A" on her bosom because she never told pearl what the letter meant and why it was there. Another example of pearl being her mothers sin is when the town government tries to take pearl away. Then Dimmsdale convinces the town government to let her keep pearl because he says she is a "living reminder" of her sin, and if you take that away from her its like taking away her sin. Pearl is also a symbol for Dimmsdale; she will not allow him into her life until he accepts his sins. She would like him to be a father and not hide his relationship or affection in public. So when asks him to hold her and her mothers on the scaffold in front of the town. At the end Dimmsdale finally confesses his sins and after that he feels better and he's happy. Now, he gives affection to pearl in public, she feels better too.
Pearl may symbolize a lot of different things, but she also symbolizes a connection between Hester and Dimmsdale. Not only is she a symbol for her mother, but Dimmsdale also. Most importantly Pearl leads Dimmsdale and Hester to acceptance of their sin.
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