“There is no one perfect way to be a good mother. Each situation is unique. Each mother has different challenges, different skills, and abilities, and certainly different children… what matters is that a mother loves her children deeply.” (Elder M Russel Ballard) In the novel, The Scarlet Letter, by Nathaniel Hawthorne, Pearl, Hester Prynne’s daughter, is thought to be sent from hell by the devil; however, she is actually what saved Hester from going to hell herself. Hester is not a perfect mother, but her love for her daughter is what keeps her sane. Although Pearl may seem like the devil’s child, she is actually the opposite. She represents freedom.
This is shown in the novel when Pearl is walking through the woods with Hester and she has a moment with the nature. “Pearl set forth, at a great pace, and, as Hester smiled to perceive, did actually catch the sunshine, and stood laughing in the midst of it, all brightened by its splendor, and scintillating with the vivacity excited by rapid motion. The light lingered about the lonely child, as if glad of such a playmate…” (Hawthorne 275). Hawthorne’s narrator mentions that the sunlight lingered around Pearl, indicating that she is a holy being and full of goodness and joy.
When Hester was convicted of her crime, Pearl gave her a purpose and some form of happiness. If Hester had not had Pearl in her life she would have joined Mistress Hibbins in the woods and acquainted with the devil. When Mistress Hibbins asked Hester to join her in the woods Hester told her that she had to stay and take care of her daughter.
When she was born, Pearl gave her mother, Hester, a purpose, something to live for. Cast out by everyone else around her, Hester needed to have someone who would be with her all the time and give her a reason to keep going. As one could probably imagine, being outcast by everyone around them would be extremely diminishing and for Hester, having Pearl there to keep her company was what kept her true, and kept her moving forward.
Although she may seem evil and wicked, Pearl, is actually what saved Hester from ultimately going to Hell. When Hester is walking in the woods one day, she comes across Mistress Hibbins who asks, “Hist, hist!…Wilt thou go with us to-night? There will be a merry company in the forest; and I wellnigh promised the Black Man that comely Hester Prynne should make one.” To this Hester responded, “Make my excuse to him, so please you! I must tarry at home, and keep watch over my little Pearl, had they taken her from me, I would willingly have gone with thee into the forest, and signed my name in the Black Man’s book too, and that with my own blood!” (Hawthorne 174). Pearl is Hester’s reason to go on with her life and not fall into a hole of despair, despite all the pressure from the townspeople. Pearl is Hester’s saving grace, saving her from the pits of Hell.
To sum up, Pearl is a blessing for Hester and has saved Hester from going to Hell. Pearl is one with nature and this shows that she is a representation of light in Hester’s now dark life. Although some say Pearl was sent from hell by the devil, she is actually what saved Hester from going to hell herself. Hester is not a perfect mother; however, she does all she can to help her daughter became the person she knows she can be. Throughout Hester’s dark, and mostly lonely life, Pearl was the fuel to her fire.
I do not think this is the best essay I have written for Mrs. Waterman. The overall essay could use a little more attention. I think I could have given more details about my arguments and supported them with more evidence.