Scarlett Letter Analysis Essay
“Ah, but let her cover the mark as she will, the pang of it will be always in her heart” (Hawthorne, Scarlett letter). Inquiring the power of love, as well as flirting with human sentiments Nathaniel Hawthorne wrote “The Scarlett Letter” over the struggles of a condemned outlaw in the “Holy” Puritan society. Hester Prynne the protagonist in the story, a woman who initiated from Europe is targeted to a world of drama where she is imprisoned for adultery in the Puritan community. Hester a young beautiful woman who was previously married is separated from her husband Roger Chillingworth for an extended period of time while coming to America. In line for this separation Hester has an affair with an anonymous lover resulting in a child. When convicted for her crime, Hester is substance to countless punishments, imposed by the society’s leaders which paradoxically proves to be the home to Hester’s secret lover reverend Arthur Dimmesdale. The resolution of the several punishments prearranged to Hester is not satisfied when her response demonstrates to be unchanged. Hester’s empty reaction incentives an attitude of wickedness and consent moving her own personality.
Hawthorne’s powerful use of diction helps the reader understand furthermore about Pearls free spirited character and emphasizes the idea of a joyful spirit. Upon describing Pearl In chapter 6 of the Scarlet letter, Nathaniel Hawthorne carefully picks words that best describe Pearls loveliness and joyfulness. Her “luxuriance”, “brilliant”, “luster”, “white”, signifying a “pearl”(Hawthorne 81-90) like appearance, yet Hawthorne compares this cheerful, guiltless words with “wild”, “elf”, “flightiness” (Hawthorne 81-90) to describe Pearl as a mischievous character. As the book progresses Pearl is portrayed as more of a symbolic figure and a comparison between light and dark. The author then describes Pearl as a “fiery luster” (Hawthorne 81-90) to support his argument of pearl being described as a devil child because of her free spirit.
Throughout the book Hawthorne uses symbolism to describe the major characters by comparing them to object’s and nature. Pearl an important character in the Scarlet letter is also used as a symbol to represent evil in the Puritan society. Her life is not easy because of the relentless mockery from the Puritan community and for her mother’s previous sins. The author decisively names Hester’s baby Pearl to not only define the paucity of her unique behavior but also to represent Hester’s sin Hawthorne marks “ It ( Pearl) was the Scarlet letter in another from; the scarlet letter endowed with life” ( Hawthorne 94). The author uses that quote to inform the readers about Pearl who follows Hester everywhere similarly like the Scarlet letter that she attires. Pearl’s main purpose is to remind Hester about her past sins, and is described as one of a kind child like a beautiful pearl in an oyster. “There was an absolute circle of radiance around her, on the darksome cottage floor” (Hawthorne 83). Pearl not only