Relation between Pearl and Nature in Nathaniel...

The Relation between Pearl and Nature in The Scarlet Letter In Nathaniel Hawthornes work, The Scarlet Letter, nature plays a very symbolic role. Throughout the book, nature is incorporated into the story line. One example of this is with the character of Pearl. Pearl is very different than all the other characters due to her special relationship with Nature. Hawthorne personifies Nature as sympathetic towards sins against the puritan way of life. Hesters sin causes Nature to accept Pearl. First it is necessary to examine how nature is identified with sin against the Puritan way of life. The first example of this is found in the first chapter regarding the rosebush at the prison door. This rosebush is located on one side†¦show more content†¦This rosebush symbolizes the sympathy of Nature towards the very people Puritan society has condemned. The idea illustrated by the rosebush can therefore be applied to the specific character of Pearl. Because Pearl was expelled from Puritan society Nature sympathizes with her. Natures sympathy and partiality with Pearl can be seen with the sunshine in the forest. Pearl attempts to catch the sunshine and according to Hawthorn Pearl . . . did actually catch the sunshine . . . The light lingered about the lonely child, as if glad of such a playmate . . .(146). Hawthorn describes another sign of acceptance as the great black forest . . . became the playmate of the lonely infant(163). Hawthorne eventually declares that The truth seems to be . . . that the mother-forest, and these wild things which it nourished, all recognized a kindred wildness in the human child(163). All natural things and Nature accept this little girl who has been thrust out of Puritan society. A way to strengthen this point is to show Natures reaction to Hester. The strange thing is that the sunshine runs from Hester even though it was her sin against the Puritan laws that produced Pearl who is accepted by the sunshine or Nature. In fact [the sunshine] runs away and hides itself, because it is afraid of something on [Hesters] bosom (146), the Scarlet Letter, which represents Hesters acceptance of Puritan law andShow MoreRelatedSymbolism in The Scarlet Letter Essay1252 Words   |  6 Pagesform of an image, the reader can visualize the concept more concretely. The old expression, â€Å"a picture is worth a thousand words,† applies to symbolism as the author creates a visual representation of ideas. The use of symbolism in Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter helps to illuminate the overall meaning of the work. At the beginning of the book, the reader is introduced to a dark and gloomy town that had first built a prison and a cemetery. 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