charlesbbaker
The Scarlet Reader
This post focuses on Hester and Pearl’s relationship in chapters 13-16, and the meaning behind it
Trapped by the Oyster’s Jem
One may have noticed by chapter 17 that Pearl is intended to represent the burden that Hester must bear. I have began to notice that her role extends beyond just a burden that blocks Hester from returning to her status in the community. Pearl has began to become a nagging reminder of the past, and unable to allow Hester to move on. She constantly reminds Hester of the meaning of her “A” and the pain it has caused Dimmesdale. Pearl unknowingly shows herself to be a reminder of what Hester’s past deeds were
In chapter 15, Hester is walking in the woods with Pearl to meet Chillingworth. During the discussion Hester and Chillingworth are having, Pearl create an “A” with sea weed and tries to place it on her mother’s chest. When Hester then asks Pearl if she knows what the “A” means, Pearl does not. But, when Pearl is asked why her mother wears the “A”, she speculates that it is for the ” . . . same reason that the minister [Dimmesdale] keeps his hand over his heart”(161) , going on to ask why Dimmesdale doesn’t wear the symbol on the outside of his cloths (169).
I believe this to be significant in showing that Hester will never move on from her mistake. As shown in chapter 13, the town regards her as almost a nun like figure, and “the scarlet A [ is no longer seen] by its original signification. They said that it now meant Able; so strong was Hester Prynne, with a woman’s strength.” (146) Hester is unwilling to move on though, she still bears the shame of what it means. Pearl is a nagging piece of her, the nagging thought in the back of her mind that will not let her move on. Hester committed adultery, Hester caused Dimmesdale’s heart this pain. No matter how many times over Hester has made up for her mistake, she wont allow herself to move on . . . at least, for now she wont.
Though I have yet to read past chapter 16, it is worth noting that, regardless of authorial intent, Hester’s relationship with Pearl in chapters 15 and 16 carry a very important message as a parable of avoiding holding onto mistakes. It is true that one has to own up to a mistake, but they cannot allow it to consume them and destroy who they are. When people allow themselves to be trapped like Hester is, they begin to become self destructive and cause pain (emotional or sometimes physical) to those around them. Take this parable as a warning to not define yourself by your mistakes, but how you respond to them.
Works cited
Hawthorne, Nathaniel. The Scarlet Letter. New York: Bantam Dell, 1850. Print.
http://thelibertyblog.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/OysterPearl1.jp
The Scarlet Reader 
I think this was a good post with nice insight but I do think that at some parts it was hard to follow and, although the content was good, some of it went away from the focus of the relationship between Pearl and Hester. It started to go more into how Hester feels about herself rather than how her and Pearl interact. I think the content was good though so keep it up!
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I agree with Brianna on this, it’s a good post but it does seem to get off topic a bit. The content is there and I think you presented it well. I like how you related their story to real life and made it applicable to everyday life.
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