Hester’s Sin and Pearl’s Impact

The Puritans had a strong belief that someone who is going down a path of sin could only be saved by God. This path of sin could be addiction, laziness, or vengefulness; whatever this sin may be, it was thought that the only way one could rid themselves of this downward spiral was through religion and God. However this is false. So many other things can rid people of sin and help them become better member’s of society. In the novel The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne the central character Hester is rid of sin through her daughter Pearl. This is ironic because Pearl was a byproduct of her sin, adultery. Despite this irony, Pearl is who helped Hester from sinning more, helped her get past her previous ideologies and lead a better life. Pearl is a light in the dark path of evil, and she even changes Hester’s mind about the decisions she makes. Furthermore, Pearl is a positive person in Hester’s life. 

Pearl’s positive impact on her mother is clear when Hester describes Pearl. Hester uses beautiful language when referring to her firstborn child, which shows her undying love. A common metaphor used when referring to something beautiful is comparing it to the Garden of Eden. In the Bible, the Garden of Eden is described as a paradise on earth: full of lush gardens, flowing rivers, and beautiful flowers. It is where the first man and woman were told to have lived. Pearl is described as “worthy to have been forth in Eden” (Hawthorne, 51). Pearl is so beautiful, in the narrator’s eyes, that she could have been plucked right from this garden. Something so pure and delicate can surely only be a blessing to Hester along her journey of growth. Coinciding with this is the metaphor of Pearl’s name. Her name is ironic since she is a living representation of sin, yet her name is Pearl. She was a pearl, at least to her mother. A pearl is defined as an admirable and valuable gem. Hester sees Pearl in this way, which is why she chose such a name. Another defining quality of a pearl is rareness. Pearl’s are produced from the tissue of a mollusk and are quite scarce. Pearl’s rareness is something her mother sees and finds beautiful. Through this Hester understands that Pearl must be protected because of her beauty and rarity. She takes this protectiveness to such an extreme that sin could never cross her mind or path.  Additionally, Pearl is described as being “her mother’s only treasure” (Hawthorne, 51). Pearl is very valuable to her mother, without the treasure of Pearl Hester would be left with nothing. Consequently Pearl must be what keeps Hester going down the path of resolving her sin. So despite what she derived from her place in Hester’s heart will always be great. Something that takes up that much room in a heart can be nothing but a blessing to the owner. 

“Pearl’s are produced from the tissue of a mollusk and are quite scarce. Pearl’s rareness is something her mother sees and finds beautiful. Through this Hester understands that Pearl must be protected because of her beauty and rarity.”

Proof of Pearl’s presence in Hester’s heart can also be seen by the decisions Hester makes. Pearl has become her top priority and keeps her from indulging with sin. Mistress Hemmings invites Hester to come to the forest that night and dance with a “Black Man”. The “Black Man” means the devil. Hester denies the offer saying she “must try home and keep watch over little Pearl.” (Hawthorne 66) Without Pearl in her life Hester would have agreed to go dance with the Devil, which would have been a great sin. Pearl is the only reason Hester did not go with Mistress Hemmings, which shows that she is the only thing keeping Hester away from a life of sin. Without Pearl Hester would have surely fell through a downward spiral of sin because there was simply no reason not to. Having a reason not to sin, Pearl being that reason, is what is keeping Hester out of trouble and turning over a new leaf. 

Pearl’s decisions are directly influenced by the sins she has committed in the past. The nagging reminder of her sins is constantly being played in her ear. This nagging reminder keeps her from sinning again and spiraling to an easy path of bad decisions. This nagging reminder is often from Pearl, who is a living product of her sin. One example of Pearl’s nagging is the constant poking and exclamations she produces when the scarlet letter is visible. Even as young as an infant, Pearl noticed the letter hanging from Hester’s chest. She used to reach her hand out to touch the gold embroidering and as a baby she tried to pull it off. (Hawthorne, 55) Even though this moment seems unimportant, to Hester the child’s interest feels like a knife to the heart. Hester is deeply affected by the child’s harmless playing because it is a reminder of her past transgressions that she has to display to everyone, even her child. This reminder is what ultimately keeps her from sinning again. The reminder of sin in a consistent form is pushing her away from the temptation of sin because she knows the consequences that follow. Another instance of Hester’s deep guilt happens when she visits the governor. Pearl points out the reflection of Hester on an armor breastplate, the distortion amplifies the letter stuck to Hester. (Hawthorne 60). In pure horror, Hester pulls Pearl back. This action shows Hester’s disgust at herself and the sins she has committed. Proving the point that Pearl’s ever-present pestering is a reminder of her past decisions: “From the epoch, except when the child was asleep Hester had never felt a moment’s safety” (Hawthorne 51). Right from the beginning, Pearl’s presence seemed to force Hester into the reality she had created for herself. The reality might be unfair but it seems necessary to generate the change Hester should incorporate to not commit any more sins. 

Sins were strictly prohibited in Puritan society. Hester broke this Puritan value and has to wear a reminder with her constantly. This punishment is painful for her but is a journey she is not undertaking alone. Pearl is always there for her. Pearl makes Hester happy but allows her to stay on the path she needs to become a better person. Through Pearl, Hester can make changes in her life; this is seen with her constant praise and affection. This affection directly translates into the decisions Hester makes daily and how Pearl reflects on her sin. Moreover, the reminder of sin, as represented by Pearl, directly projects change in Hester and a love that cannot be broken.