The First Letter

                  Often times life presents series of challenges which changes the  natural course of events and require all creation to improvise  in order to survive. God is good, He is all loving, kind and forgiving and as such it only follows divine supposition that His creation exhibit similar traits.In the novel The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne Hester gives birth to a beautiful  girl who,based on the designed structure of the society is considered illegitimate , but she considers a blessing and a gift from the Giver Himself. Pearl is a gift sent from above who changes not only her mother’s life , but that of a society that for a long time has been built on the foundations of self righteousness and one that would not hesitate to cast the first stone even though these same people are guilty of the same transgression. Pearl’s presence in Hester’s life prevents her from selling her soul to the devil, lifts her up the social ladder and makes her the image of righteousness in the Puritan society.

        Pearl’s existence  not only represents love but also a figure that has kept Hester’s soul where it rightfully belongs.  She remains Hester’s sole reason for not trading her soul to Satan. Hester declares,“‘Make my excuse to him, so please you!’Answered Hester, with a triumphant smile. ‘I must tarry at home,  and keep watch over my little Pearl’” (Hawthorne 105). Her birth has brought Hester a lot of shame , but has done what may be considered the ultimate by keeping Hester’s soul with God. Had it not been for Pearl, Hester would had accepted Mistress Hibbins’ invitation to join her in the meeting of witches , but rather she declined in order to be with Pearl. Her perception of Pearl as a blessing from God makes her decision not to worship Satan easier and saves her from “Satan’s snare”. Hester’s situation represents one who has risen from the lowest point in a society where righteousness was measured by the deeds of an individual and therefore made it almost impossible for anyone to be considered righteous.Pearl’s birth which represents sin, has made it possible for Hester to ascend the throne of righteousness.

            Herter’s sin has brought her righteousness and has lifted up the social ladder of the Puritan society. The scarlet letter symbolizing Pearl’s existence over the years has transformed from adultery to amiable: “ Do you see that woman with the embroidered badge? They say to strangers. ‘It is our Hester,- the town’s own Hester,- who is so kind to the poor, so helpful to the sick, so comfortable to the afflicted” ( Hawthorne 147). Even though it’s been seven years and Hester has seen so much ignominy which cannot be compensated for by anything, Pearl’s birth has made Hester an image of righteousness in the Puritan society. Had it not been for Pearl’s birth and the attachment of the scarlet letter to Hester’s life, Hester would have never been able to rise to this level in society. As black as her heart was considered, it is now whiter than snow. Hester has become an image of righteousness and kindness, something which even some clergymen in the society are not tagged with. Hester Prynne as the people in the Puritan Society affectionately called  her, has made visible the unrighteousness of the Puritan society.

            Pearl birth has exalted Hester to a level as though she was on the same pedigree as that of her maker. Hester is able to see how impure the puritan society is and help those who are being silently inflicted by the rod of societal judgement. In the signaling pulse of her letter A, “ She shuddered to believe,yet could not help believing, that it gave her a sympathetic knowledge of the hidden sin in other hearts”(Hawthorne 77). Without the sin and its fruit,  there wouldn’t have been an embroidered letter that would see through the walls of hypocrisy built by the inhabitants of the Puritan society. Hester was an outlet for people who dealt with sin but had no one to talk to for fear of being judged.

         Pearl’s birth has brought shame on Hester and also listlessness to the  scholarly preacher, but if for the benefit of the entire Puritan society, four people had to suffer, it may be considered a blessing or an act of grace. The puritan society was in need of salvation and Pearl’s birth brought just that. She has brought more joy, and happiness to her mother and teaming number of people who were dying from their sins in the Puritan society.