Pearl as a symbol
...rl first noticed the letter as in infant while lying in her crib. Pearl saw the shiny letter attached to her mother’s chest. Hester never took her letter off; Pearl associated her mother with the letter she wore, the letter was the symbol of Pearl. One day when at the river, Hester removed her letter. The letter is a living symbol of Pearl, when it was removed it was as if Pearl was removed from Hester’s life. Pearl was offended by this and refused to go to her mother until the letter was replaced. This is an example of Pearl reminding Hester of her sins. “It is her role to enforce the mother’s guilt as well as to represent her rebellion” (Baym, 57). A pearl is a beautiful object inside of an ugly oyster. Thus, Pearl was always dressed beautiful and Hester took great pride in her. Pearl was dressed in the finest clothing and always looked nice. The scarlet letter was made from nice material; the same material Pearl’s clothes were made from. This is symbolic how the sinful “A” and Pearls clothing are alike. Again showing how Pearl is associated with the letter. Pearl often asked about her father. Hester held back from telling Pearl who her father was because the town could not find out that the reverend was the father. The question that Pearl often repeated hurt Hester, and Hester often tried to change the subject or ignore Pearl. Hester had to keep the father a secret although Pearl soon figured out who her father was. Pearl liked to imitate her mother. Pearl made an “A” out of seaweed and put it on her chest, to be like Mom. Another time Pearl was playing and taking flowers and throwing them at her mother’s chest. If she hit the letter she would dance around as if it was a game. Pearl didn’t ...