Significance of Pearl's Behavior in the Scarlet Letter
Uploaded by spootyhead on Apr 18, 2007
Significance of Pearl's Behavior in the "Scarlet Letter"
Pearl’s behavior toward her mother and Reverend Dimmesdale is very unique to the storyline. Her behavior could be characterized as a chameleon where she is part of everything around her and the changes that occur externally affect her internally. Ever since Pearl was born she has been regarded as the reincarnation of her mothers sin. The community thinks of her just like they think of the scarlet letter on her mother. Pearls archetype would definitely be one of an outcast and even in her own way a loser of innocence.
Growing up Hester thinks that Pearl is a constant reminder of her sin and feels very guilty which reflects on her innocent child. She constantly questions god about Pearls existence. She even goes so far as to asking Pearl, “Child, what art thou?”[Pg 49] By doing this she is separating Pearl from society. Hester’s feelings become even worst when she questions weather Pearls existence is only due to the Demon sending Pearl to make Hester suffer. Hester at one point even denies that Pearl is her daughter by saying, “Thou art not my child! Thou art no Pearl of mine!”[Pg 49] Pearls different behavior towards her mother is very odd. She gives her mother very little respect but only due to Hester fearing Pearl because of her inability to overcome her own guilty conscience. Then again Pearl also sticks up for her mother by throwing mud at the village kids for ridiculing her mother. Pearl keeps her mother in line, because without Pearl her mother would most likely live a life of evil in the forest.
Pearls behavior towards Dimmesdale is very straightforward. She knows deep down that he is her father and even shows compassion towards him when he makes it possible for her and her mother to stay together as a family. The night that Dimmesdale was at the scaffold and Hester and Pearl went to go sit by him, Pearl urges him to meet them there at noon the next day. Pearl said this so she could help Dimmesdale with his guilt and to finally let his sin go. Pearls main goal for Dimmesdale is to show him that he has to finally fess up to his sin...