Pearl & the Red Rosebush
By: Deanna, Sashini, Stefi, Zoe,
Izzy, Caitln, Miranda and Amanda
THESIS
Pearl’s refusal to live within societal
limitations and her beauty is juxtaposed
with the austere oppressive location of
rosebushes. This suggests that the
permanent reminder of sin exists as a
threshold for redemption against the
depraved nature of humanity.
Pearl
• Vibrant skin, deep and fiery eyes, shiny
brown/black hair.
• "There was fire in her and throughout
her"(69).
• Her fierce appearance portrays how she was
the product of a passionate and lustful
moment.
• Often dressed in gold and red, just like the
scarlet letter, which is the symbol of Hester's
sin of adultery
• Personification of adultery and the scarlet
letter.
Pearl (continued)
Hester and Dimmesdale are drawn to
Pearl and gain a sense of happiness
when surrounded by her, however, in
those same moments, she has the
ability to crush their spirits.
Quotes
" Pearl kissed his lips. A spell was broke. The great scene of grief, in
which the wild infant bore a part, had developed all her sympathies"
(226). ~~~The Revelation
" o father in heaven, -if thou art still my father,- what is this being
which I have brought into the world!"(82) . ~~~Pearl
The Red Rosebush
• Appearance: dainty, ethereal beauty (petals)
• Internal character: sharp, piercing, and precocious nature (thorns)
• Connections: physical connection between Hester and Dimmesdale and keeps Hester grounded
(branches)
• Location: outside of prison
• Red color: symbolizes passion and sin
• Roses are considered a treasure
Quotes
“But, on one side of the portal, and rooted almost at the threshold, was a
wild rose-bush…It had merely survived out of the stern old wilderness…[and]
sprung up under the footsteps of the sainted Ann Hutchinson” (43). ~~~The
Prison Door
“The child finally 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” (100). ~~~The Elf-Child and the Minister
REIMAGINED THESIS
Both Pearl and the rosebushes epitomize sin through their vivacity and
ambiguity. The emergence of the rosebush and Pearl in an austere
Puritanical society represents hope for Hester, Dimmesdale, and
Chillingworth as they search for redemption from their sin. Pearl and the
rosebush also embody the innate and honest dark side of humanity. Their
presence suggests that society struggles to define man as either morally just
or astray. Yet, society fails since the candid man's nature exists as
ambiguous and undefinable.