Pearl the Pearl

As Chillingworth makes another eerie appearance in chapter fourteen, Hester's confidence and poise is her weapon against him. I am a little creeped out by him as the narrator says, "This unhappy person had effected such a transformation by devoting himself, for seven years, to the constant analysis of a heart full of torture, and deriving his enjoyment thence, and adding fuel to those fiery tortures which he analyzed and gloated over" (148).
This is Chillingworth:

His devil-like self appears seven years later after leaving Hester and then attempts to psychoanalyze Dimmsdale, reveal the secrets hiding in the town, and attempt to gain some power and have a voice. He attempts to convince Hester that the magistrates will let her rid of her "A", but she refuses. Her refusal was a defensive act, yet when she must explain to Pearl what her "A" stands for, she stutters. I think this picture below accurately depicts Pearl's inquiring of the letter "A" on her mom's clothing.


Hester used to find strength in this gold-embroidered "A", which gave her her most precious possession, Pearl. But regardless of her stance on her "A" and its meaning to her, she has certainly instilled important values within Pearl. Pearl's intuitiveness throughout these chapters simply mirrors that of her mom, Hester. She does not fear speaking up or expressing herself. Her imagination is quite large as seen when she creates an imaginary friend/mermaid; her imagination is likely induced by her seclusion from other kids and society, but does not seem to phase her. She reminds me of John Steinbeck's novel The Pearl in which the main man risks his whole life for a small pearl. Hester might be forced to wear an "A", but ultimately she cares about the wellbeing of her daughter, but something must go awry to follow the plot of Steinbeck's novel.


Pearl's character exemplifies the effects society can have on individuals and the impact of one's surroundings on her development. All Pearl knows is having a maternal figure who proudly sports a Scarlet "A". This can be similar to our lives and roles in society. We often perceive situations based on our surroundings, which then makes me question how much of our thoughts and opinions are authentic if they are influenced by society? Where is the line between authenticity and societal expectations drawn? I believe that we have the ability to follow our own path and not that of society, similar to Pearl who does not resemble a typical Puritan girl.