Pearl, Hester Prynne's daughter in the Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, is one of the more bizarre and dynamic characters in American Literature. She is a constantly changing and very abnormal little "child of sin." From beginning to end she is never fixed in one mode; always there is some great variation. She is also a character with a large quantity intrinsic symbolism. In addition she is one of the most complex and misunderstood symbols in the book. As such, she deserves further analysis.

Pearl earned her name through the fact the she was Hester's one treasure. Hester payed dearly for Pearl, and basically ruined her life as a result. Life with Pearl is a constant physical and emotional battle for Hester. Pearl is an energetic and elfish little girl that is intelligent beyond her years. Pearl was born a social outcast, a product of sin and often gives the impression of being anything but human. Nothing Hester can do will control this devilish imp. In fact it seems Pearl has more power of Hester than she over Pearl. Pearl is a un-interuptable, un-controlable and shamefull reminder to Hester. In this instance Pearl symbolizes the decimation of Hester's life and mental state which is ironic in that Pearl's name implies a sort of purity and serenity.

While the Puritan society punished Hester by marking her wear an embroidered letter, God punishes Hester in His own way; He gives her a beautifull and unique child, which serves as a constant physical reminder of Hester's sin. How ironic that she should be given a token of her sin that she has an obligation to keep and protect regardless of her own desires. Hester clings to Pearl like nothing else matters. When the magistrates want to take Pearl away from Hester she goes and begs the governor to let Pearl stay with her. What is so ironic about that is all the anguish that Pearl causes Hester. From her uncontrolable emotional fits to her overly wise comments and her incesant badgering, Pearl symbolizes God's way of punishing Hester for her sin.

One of Pearl's many symbolic meanings (intended or not) that seems often overlooked is that relating to America as a nation. America is a country born in the 'sin' of a bloody revolution but which eventually prospers -- just like Pearl. Pearl, being the daughter of the adultress Hester, is born of a sin. Despite Pearl's unclean beginnings she grows and prospers and the last thing we hear of her is that she has gone to Europe and periodically sends expensive presents to Hester (whom has moved back to Boston). So it is fairly safe to assume that Pearl ends up well off and happy. It could be said that Pearl becoming a lady of great wealth is ironic as when she was a child she was always dressed expensively.

Pearl is a wild and fantastic little girl. She follows her own mind in everything and is very much an individual. Just by doing this simple little thing she immediately symbolizes a huge contrast to puritanism and the puritan society in which she was raised. From her extravagent clothing to her insatiable inquisitiveness, she is almost always disenting from the puritan ethics. She teases Hester, throws rocks, frollicks in the woods, chases children and disobeyes her mother; she is the ideal picture of the anti-puritan child.

Generally it is agreed upon that Pearl is uncomfortably smart and seems to know a lot more than a "normal" child would. Regardless of this fact, Pearl symbolizes innocence and purity. She remains clueless as to why Hester wears the scarlet letter. Pearl always does what she wants with no thought to what society will think of her. She doesn't know (or care) that she is going against anything; she is just doing what she wants to. Just like the innocent child she is. These traits (and more) show how Pearl represents a wild purity and innocence despite her often devilish ways.

product of evil, act of evil

innocence, purity naive?

hester's outlet