Character Analysis- Pearl

Rachael Kerr
AP English 11
February 21, 2010
Scarlet Letter
Characterization-Pearl
Pearl Prynn is an odd, impish young girl, intent on punishing the two people whose love and sin she manifests.
Pearl is introduced as “being of great price,-purchased with all [Hester] has,-her mother’s only treasure!”(Hawthorne 81), yet more subtly as a rose: “to symbolize some sweet moral blossom…or relieve the darkening close of a tale of human frailty and sorrow”(46). To some of the townspeople she seems to be of demonic origin, which is understandable considering how she acts. Pearl enjoys being her mother’s torment as well as her father’s, Dimmesdale; she constantly reminds them both of their sin. Pearl seem so very intrigued by the scarlet letter, and at times reminds Hester specifically of it; “Pearl put up her mouth and kissed the scarlet letter too!”(190). As for Dimmesdale, she constantly call to attention his habit of holding his hand over his heart. But between them pearl is “the oneness of their being”(186). She is both of theirs, their treasure and their pain, bought with a cost greater than life.
Pearl is like the tattoo of a partner you though you would be with forever; you cannot rid yourself of it, yet every time you see it, you remember the mistake you made.
A modern day connection would be to the Cheshire Cat of Wonderland. It seems as though he only exists to torture you, by say forcing you to wear your scarlet letter, or causing the queen of hearts to threaten you. But after further inspection, he keeps on track, as does Pearl. When the Cheshire Cat asks Alice questions, they force her to question herself which lead her through Wonderland. When Pearl refuses to kiss Dimmesdale, she is imparting punishment on him, until he admits his sin.