Minor Characters In Nathaniel Hawthorne's 'The Scarlet Letter'
Lucas 1
Chris F. Lucas
Dr. Coleman
English 3 Honors
5 October 2012
The Scarlet Letter In The Scarlet Letter, the author Nathaniel Hawthorne utilizes the minor characters Pearl Prynne and Roger Chillingworth to provoke the major characters in the novel, as well as to further portray existent themes and ideas developing through other parts of the story. Throughout the course of the novel, Pearl’s persistent fixation on the scarlet letter “A” embroidered on Hester’s chest acts as a constant reminder for Hester of her committed sin and reveals deeper emotions within Hester. Unintentionally, Pearl continues to draw Hester’s attention to her letter through her words and her actions. Even as a baby “the first object of which Pearl seemed …show more content…
. . whenever she hit the scarlet letter”(86). Again, Hawthorne is using Pearl and her actions to guide Hester’s attention back to her bosom, to evoke a response from Hester. While Hester’s “first motion had been to cover her bosom with her clasped hands . . . she resisted the impulse, and sat erect, pale as death, looking sadly into little Pearl’s wild eyes” (86). Hawthorne uses such a benign and innocent character to force Hester to emotionally delve into her sin and to expose heavy feelings found inside her. Although many characters coerce Hester into bearing her punishment, Pearl’s case is significantly unique because Hawthorne writes Pearl to come from a loving and benevolent place as opposed to the hypocrisy and ridicule of the townspeople. Additionally, Pearl, being Hester’s daughter, is the physical embodiment of Hester’s adultery, which is a crucial point of Hawthorne’s usage of Pearl in the novel. Aside from her actions, Pearl also draws Hester to her letter with her words. Pearl inquisitively tells her mother “the sunshine does not love [her]. It runs away and hides itself, because it is afraid of something on [her] bosom”(166). Pearl does not understand the purpose of the symbol or the meaning of her words, yet recognizes their importance, and thus profoundly reminds Hester of her sin. Hawthorne uses Pearl’s naïve intelligence to expose Hester’s sin and guide her attention to the mark that inhabits her bosom, in order to uncover Hester’s emotions and reactions, which ultimately shapes Hester into a more dynamic
Chris F. Lucas
Dr. Coleman
English 3 Honors
5 October 2012
The Scarlet Letter In The Scarlet Letter, the author Nathaniel Hawthorne utilizes the minor characters Pearl Prynne and Roger Chillingworth to provoke the major characters in the novel, as well as to further portray existent themes and ideas developing through other parts of the story. Throughout the course of the novel, Pearl’s persistent fixation on the scarlet letter “A” embroidered on Hester’s chest acts as a constant reminder for Hester of her committed sin and reveals deeper emotions within Hester. Unintentionally, Pearl continues to draw Hester’s attention to her letter through her words and her actions. Even as a baby “the first object of which Pearl seemed …show more content…
. . whenever she hit the scarlet letter”(86). Again, Hawthorne is using Pearl and her actions to guide Hester’s attention back to her bosom, to evoke a response from Hester. While Hester’s “first motion had been to cover her bosom with her clasped hands . . . she resisted the impulse, and sat erect, pale as death, looking sadly into little Pearl’s wild eyes” (86). Hawthorne uses such a benign and innocent character to force Hester to emotionally delve into her sin and to expose heavy feelings found inside her. Although many characters coerce Hester into bearing her punishment, Pearl’s case is significantly unique because Hawthorne writes Pearl to come from a loving and benevolent place as opposed to the hypocrisy and ridicule of the townspeople. Additionally, Pearl, being Hester’s daughter, is the physical embodiment of Hester’s adultery, which is a crucial point of Hawthorne’s usage of Pearl in the novel. Aside from her actions, Pearl also draws Hester to her letter with her words. Pearl inquisitively tells her mother “the sunshine does not love [her]. It runs away and hides itself, because it is afraid of something on [her] bosom”(166). Pearl does not understand the purpose of the symbol or the meaning of her words, yet recognizes their importance, and thus profoundly reminds Hester of her sin. Hawthorne uses Pearl’s naïve intelligence to expose Hester’s sin and guide her attention to the mark that inhabits her bosom, in order to uncover Hester’s emotions and reactions, which ultimately shapes Hester into a more dynamic