APEL SPRING FINAL
By Rachel Foster, Amanda Bogden,
and Jordan Maharaj
ESSAY PROMPT
•
A symbol is an object, action, or event that
represents something or that creates a range
of associations beyond itself. In literary works
a symbol can express an idea, clarify meaning,
or enlarge literal meaning.
• Write an essay analyzing how the symbol
functions in the work and what it reveals
about the characters or the themes of the
work as a whole.
OUR NOVEL AND OUR SYMBOL
• We choose to create an outline for the novel,
The Scarlet Letter.
• Our symbol is Pearl, Hester’s daughter.
INTRODUCTION
• The Puritans, arriving in New England in the 17th
century, were searching for religious freedom due
to restrictions thrown upon them in England.
Puritan societies were often very strict with their
traditions and regulations.
• Nathaniel Hawthorne’s Scarlet Letter
exemplifies the unjust Puritan societies’ traditions
of punishing the outcasts, exposing the youth,
and judging the innocent.
Punishing the Outcasts.
•
•
•
•
Pearl, a child born from an affair, symbolizes the Puritans allowing a single sin to
define one’s character and publically shamming those who commit sins considered
unforgivable, such as adultery.
Pearl was born an outcast. At such a young age, the labeling of an outcast is an
emotional punishment by itself, however, Pearl embraced it. After refusing to
answer Mr. Wilson's questions, Pearl “announced that she had not been made at
all, but had been plucked by her mother off the bush of wild roses that grew by
the prison-door" (Chapter 8, pg. 103).
The Puritan society is questioning whether a child should be left to live with a
sinner. Pearl would then be left without any family because of the decisions of her
parents. Luckily, Hester fights against the ministry and begs the minister ”’I will not
lose the child! Speak for me! Thou knowest, - for thou hast sympathies which
these men lack! - thou knowest what is in my heart, and what are a mother's
rights, and how much the stronger they are, when that mother has but her child
and the scarlet letter! Look thou to it! I will not lose the child! Look to it!'”(
Chapter 8, pg. 104).
Pearl is seen as inferior to other Puritans because of the position she was born
into. She is emotionally threatened at a young age by the Puritan Society, which
forces her to create an emotional barrier between herself and others.
Exposing the Young.
• Even as a fetus, Hester’s child, Pearl was famous as a symbol for sin, yet
Pearl also was an example of innocence exposed to reality.
• A group of children were throwing mud at Hester and Pearl. These
children have been exposed to violence at such a young age that they
figured flinging mud at ‘inferiors’ was not corrupt. However, because of
Pearl’s situation, Pearl has become violent herself and reacted as if “there
was a fire in her and throughout her; she seemed the unpremeditated
offshoot of a passionate moment” (Chapter 7, pg. 93).
• Pearl is handed the responsibility of an adult because of the circumstances
she must overcome. Pearl had to face judgement, oppression, and death
at such a young age. As her parents neared death, “ her tears fell upon her
father's cheek, they were the pledge that she would grow up amid human
joy and sorrow, nor forever do battle with the world, but be a woman in it.
Towards her mother, too, Pearl's errand as a messenger of anguish was all
fulfilled” (Chapter 23, pg. 233).
• Pearl is exposed to the reality of life at a young age. She is forced through
difficult obstacles because of the Puritan’s vengeance.
Judging the Innocent.
• It is an inevitable trait of human beings to be judgmental, therefore,
Pearl was seen as evil since the day she was born because of her
mother’s act of adultery.
• Pearl is considered to be a demon child and a future replica of her
mother, yet she is an individual. Her mother encourages Pearl to
“gather thine own sunshine” (Chapter 7, pg. 95).
• Pearl has adapted to the corrupt society. She has built a wall
between her and others, which can often be seen as misbehavior.
Pearl’s attitude towards others leads her biological father to
question whether “the child will be glad to know me”( Chapter 18,
pg. 186).
• The Puritan Society views Pearl as a warning against adultery,
therefore, she is believed to be a demon child. Pearl must persevere
through such judgments as a child.
CONCLUSION
• A child, who has not committed a grave sin,
does not deserve the treatment Pearl
received. It established a wall between Pearl
and society. She had to become a strong
individual much younger than anyone should.
Pearl depicts why the Puritan society, not
Hester, should be ashamed of their actions.