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Lexy Johnson

Mr. Miles

English 10 Pre- AP Period 1

19 October 2017

Scarlet Letter Analysis Paper

The historical- fiction novel, The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, develops

Pearl’s character not only as the plot progresses, but also as Pearl begins to mature. Within the

first nine chapters of the novel, the author allows Pearl’s unique characteristics to flourish.

Hawthorne utilizes concerned diction to create a mysterious tone and uses Pearl as a symbol of

hope, which all contribute to the toddler’s overall personality and role within the novel.

Throughout the beginning of the novel, Pearl is seen as a mysteriously happy and an

observant baby, which is developed through the use of concerned diction and perplexing tone.

Hawthorne portrays Hester’s concern on page 76 stating, “But Pearl’s laugh, when she was

caught, though full of merriment and music, made her mother more doubtful than before. Heart-

smitten at this bewildering and baffling spell…” (76). By using words such as “merriment,”

“doubtful,” “bewildering,” and “baffling”, Hawthorne creates concerned and contradicting

diction, which connects to an overall perplexing tone. The quote demonstrates Pearl’s complex

character and how she is oddly able to find amusement and joy, despite the harsh and critical

looks from the rest of the public.

As the novel advances, Pearl’s impact becomes more apparent through Hawthorne’s use

of symbolism. In Hester’s life, Pearl is seen as a symbol of hope due to her intuition and ability

to make her question the reasoning of why she remains so cheerful. Within the chapter dedicated

to Pearl, Hawthorne personifies Pearl’s beauty: “…Pearl’s own proper beauty, shining through

the gorgeous robes…that there was an absolute circle of radiance around her, on the darksome
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cottage-floor” (75). Through the personification of Pearl’s beauty shining, Hester’s viewpoint of

Pearl is revealed. In the dark cottage, which symbolizes the judgmental public and Hester’s

struggles, Pearl always seems to bring light to the situation. Overall, Pearl is a symbol of hope

for the future in Hester’s life.

Nathaniel Hawthorne successfully develops a unique and whimsical character known as

Pearl. The utilization of contradicting diction, such as expressing Pearl’s joy in a time in which

her mother and herself are scrutinized, a perplexing tone, and Pearl being seen as a symbol of

hope all aid in the creation of a complex character with a purpose of providing light in the

darkness within the novel.