Pearl_-_Scarlet_Letter_Analysis

Simran Bimrah English Honors Period 2 December 21, 2009 Pearl, the Ultimate Test In the novel The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, Pearl brings out the most raw and realistic characteristics of each individual. Her ability to do this comes from her connection to the natural world which constantly surrounds her. She is a supernatural being and her actions suggest that she is a higher force or ultimatum. Pearl’s perceptiveness to others from a young age allows her to analyze each person around her. These qualities allow Pearl to represent a test of nature. Also, Pearl’s rejection and eventual acceptance of Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale with her mother allows for further interpretation of his intentions towards Hester. Pearl is the ultimate representation of the final test of Hester and Dimmesdale’s morals and confronts their natural instincts to conform to their own rules. Pearl has a constant connection to the natural world makes her a “more than human” character. Even her name, Pearl, is a precious gem that occurs only in nature. When in the forest while Hester is meeting with Dimmesdale, several animals approach her, including a wolf and squirrel. They seem to have a calming effect on Pearl and put her in a state of tranquility. Pearl is most definitely more at home in the forest and is even described as a “nymph-child” (Hawthorne 201). In Pearl’s case, “mother-forest, and these wild things which it nourished, all recognized a kindred wildness in the human child” (Hawthorne 201). Even the flowers appear to whisper “Adorn thyself with me, thou beautiful child” (Hawthorne 201). The sunlight dances with Pearl and shows how nature not only surrounds her, but composes her. Although nature is beautiful, it is highly judgmental. Pearl is similarly this way and creates a higher authority created by Hester and Dimmesdale and now she is present as to test the limits of their natural love towards each other Pearl has always had the ability to analyze and scrutinize others in their most original state which they cannot hide from others. Hester noticed while she fed Pearl as an infant, that she once “seemed to have drunk in with it all the turmoil, the anguish and despair, which pervaded the mother’s system” (Hawthorne 68) (Scharen). Although Hester was showing the scarlet letter on her chest with pride, Pearl could feel the sadness and frustration Hester dealt by the embarrassment of the situation every day. It was Pearl’s precocious nature and seclusion from society which gave her such a perspective on the reality of any situation. In the forest, she easily connects clues and Hester reflects on Pearl that she “might already have approached the age when she could be made a friend, and intrusted with as much of a mother’s sorrow as could be imparted, without irreverence either to the parent or the child” (Hawthorne 176). Pearl was only seven years old, but she could understand emotions like an adult. Also, when Pearl takes Dimmesdale’s hand and places it to her cheek, a part of her that she cannot control, feels a strong connection to him. At that moment, Arthur Dimmesdale has stood up for Hester and feels a sense of protection for her. He acts as the father of Pearl should act to protect his family and she understands this. Pearl’s understanding continues far beyond her age of seven years old and gives her a reasonable perspective on her current predicament of her father rather than a rash, unreasonable outburst of emotion. Later, when she finds Dimmesdale in the forest with her mother, her ability to see things for what they really are will lead her to the approval or rejection of their compatibility. Pearl has always seemed to be one step ahead of the other characters and understands their emotions more than they do. Her unparalleled ability to see the reality of a situation allows her to become the final judge between Hester and Dimmesdale. Pearl’s connection to nature gives her the higher authority to confront and analyze others and in doing so, she reveals the true character of Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale. He must prove himself to Pearl and admit to society his actions in order to prove that he is worthy of her love or acceptance into her family. Pearl is the all seeing eye that Nathaniel Hawthorne used in The Scarlet Letter as the ultimate test of natural instinct and sinful passion. Works Cited Pelletier, Marsha. “Class Discussion”. Dec 11, 2009 Scharen, Danielle. “Class Discussion”. Dec 17, 2009