The Scarlet Letter, Chapters 5-8

     Reading The Scarlet Letter, Chapters 5-8, I was struck primarily by the otherworldly diction used to describe Pearl, Hester Prynne’s independent and fiery daughter. When first describing the physical beauty of Pearl, the narrator relates “that there was an absolute circle of radiance around her, on the dark some cottage-floor” (Hawthorne 81). Within the first passages concerning Pearl, her existence is already characterized by contrast. While she herself is glowing in her loveliness, she is placed in a dismal reality of ostracism that is represented in the dark setting of the cottage.

    This contrast is continued in Pearl’s comparison to societal expectations for children of her age. Born from the passion of the affair, Pearl is noted to be “wild, desperate, defiant” with a future “prolific of the storm and whirlwind” (82). While the other Puritan children are described as rather pious and obedient, Pearl is the incarnation of an untamed storm. Her spirit seemingly influenced by the passion and vitality of the moment in which she was conceived, Pearl defies the decided conventions of Puritan society. In fact, her own mother even questions her origins, wondering during her “wild flow of spirits” if Pearl is “rather an airy spirit” (83). Pearl seems to so embody an elven creature or fae that Hester doubts her daughter’s human origins. 

Yet, Pearl’s abnormality of behavior and temperament can be partially accounted for by extreme social exile and disconnect from her peers. When the children see Pearl and Hester walking together and conspire to pelt the two outcasts with mud, Pearl fiercely defends her mother, embodying “the scarlet fever, or some such half-fledged angel of judgement” (92). In the absence of typical community ties and security, Pearl has transformed into her own protector and bringer of wrath. Through shouted threats and powerful stances, Pearl drives off her attackers since she alone can defend herself and her mother. 

When Pearl and Hester reach Governor Bellingham’s residence thanks to Pearl’s assurance of their safe passage, Pearl is described as a “little bird of scarlet plumage” as she flits about the room (98). Dressed in red, Pearl is a shocking deviant in homogenous Puritan society. The men are taken aback by Pearl’s wild and strong-willed demeanor, wondering if she does not possess magic. Mr Wilson asks if Pearl’s “tiptoes touched the floor” as she darts out of the room, while Mr. Dimmesdale asserts that she “hath witchcraft in her” (104). In her abundant spirit, Pearl seems to have unearthly qualities, pushing the Puritan leaders to suspicion. Much like her mother, Pearl has become the young focus of this town’s distrust. 

Throughout these chapters, Pearl is depicted in every way but the typical. She is a storm, an elf, an angel of judgement, and a witch. Beyond inheriting her mother’s defining sin, Pearl is further ostracized by her brazen personality and strong temperament. As the novel progresses, I look forward to watching Pearl’s development. In particular, I am interested to see if Pearl abandons defiance in her character or if she remains otherworldly, seemingly not constrained on a spiritual level by the opinions and affairs of the townspeople.