APEL SPRING FINAL By Rachel Foster, Amanda Bogden, and Jordan Maharaj

ESSAY PROMPT A symbol is an object, action, or event that represents something or that creates a range of associations beyond itself. In literary works a symbol can express an idea, clarify meaning, or enlarge literal meaning. Write an essay analyzing how the symbol functions in the work and what it reveals about the characters or the themes of the work as a whole.

OUR NOVEL AND OUR SYMBOL We choose to create an outline for the novel, The Scarlet Letter. Our symbol is Pearl, Hester’s daughter.

INTRODUCTION The Puritans, arriving in New England in the 17 th century, were searching for religious freedom due to restrictions thrown upon them in England. Puritan societies were often very strict with their traditions and regulations. Nathaniel Hawthorne’s Scarlet Letter exemplifies the unjust Puritan societies’ traditions of punishing the outcasts, exposing the youth, and judging the innocent.

Punishing the Outcasts. Pearl, a child born from an affair, symbolizes the Puritans allowing a single sin to define one’s character and publically shamming those who commit sins considered unforgivable, such as adultery. Pearl was born an outcast. At such a young age, the labeling of an outcast is an emotional punishment by itself, however, Pearl embraced it. After refusing to answer Mr. Wilson's questions, Pearl “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" (Chapter 8, pg. 103). The Puritan society is questioning whether a child should be left to live with a sinner. Pearl would then be left without any family because of the decisions of her parents. Luckily, Hester fights against the ministry and begs the minister ”’I will not lose the child! Speak for me! Thou knowest, - for thou hast sympathies which these men lack! - thou knowest what is in my heart, and what are a mother's rights, and how much the stronger they are, when that mother has but her child and the scarlet letter! Look thou to it! I will not lose the child! Look to it!'”( Chapter 8, pg. 104). Pearl is seen as inferior to other Puritans because of the position she was born into. She is emotionally threatened at a young age by the Puritan Society, which forces her to create an emotional barrier between herself and others.

Exposing the Young. Even as a fetus, Hester’s child, Pearl was famous as a symbol for sin, yet Pearl also was an example of innocence exposed to reality. A group of children were throwing mud at Hester and Pearl. These children have been exposed to violence at such a young age that they figured flinging mud at ‘inferiors’ was not corrupt. However, because of Pearl’s situation, Pearl has become violent herself and reacted as if “there was a fire in her and throughout her; she seemed the unpremeditated offshoot of a passionate moment” (Chapter 7, pg. 93). Pearl is handed the responsibility of an adult because of the circumstances she must overcome. Pearl had to face judgement, oppression, and death at such a young age. As her parents neared death, “ her tears fell upon her father's cheek, they were the pledge that she would grow up amid human joy and sorrow, nor forever do battle with the world, but be a woman in it. Towards her mother, too, Pearl's errand as a messenger of anguish was all fulfilled” (Chapter 23, pg. 233). Pearl is exposed to the reality of life at a young age. She is forced through difficult obstacles because of the Puritan’s vengeance.

Judging the Innocent. It is an inevitable trait of human beings to be judgmental, therefore, Pearl was seen as evil since the day she was born because of her mother’s act of adultery. Pearl is considered to be a demon child and a future replica of her mother, yet she is an individual. Her mother encourages Pearl to “gather thine own sunshine” (Chapter 7, pg. 95). Pearl has adapted to the corrupt society. She has built a wall between her and others, which can often be seen as misbehavior. Pearl’s attitude towards others leads her biological father to question whether “the child will be glad to know me”( Chapter 18, pg. 186). The Puritan Society views Pearl as a warning against adultery, therefore, she is believed to be a demon child. Pearl must persevere through such judgments as a child.

CONCLUSION A child, who has not committed a grave sin, does not deserve the treatment Pearl received. It established a wall between Pearl and society. She had to become a strong individual much younger than anyone should. Pearl depicts why the Puritan society, not Hester, should be ashamed of their actions.