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Puritan Society and a Demon Child

Puritan Society and a Demon Child (unnamed student example) Ankeny High School

Puritan Society and a Demon Child

Puritan Society and a Demon Child The Puritan society described in Nathaniel Hawthornes The Scarlet Letter is far from perfect. They are hypocritical and judgmental, even of young children who have no control of their situation. Pearl, Hesters daughter, is ostracized and mocked by the other children and the adults in the society. She is left out because of a decision her mother made, one that she had no control over. This treatment is contrary to what the society believes in, and also hurts Pearl. They call her an imp of evil and a demon child (p. 70 & p. 76). Her own mother believes she is unnatural and that because she is born of sin, that she must be sinful in nature (p. 74). This label applied to Pearl at such a young age creates a self-fulfilling prophecy, but like all children she is her own person. From her birth, Pearl is symbol of what her mother did, and of punishment. She is sin, because she was made out of sin. This label affects Pearl in a few different ways. First, this label by society makes her an outcast and turns her into even more of an outcast. With no one on her side but her mother, she is forced to be an outsider. This only adds to Pearls label, because she is forced to oppose society. She cannot win because of this. Society has forced Pearl to be friendless and bitter. The second way this affects Pearl, is that she is forced to get attention by playing to this label. The very first thing she ever notices about her mothers appearance is the A (p. 72). She pretends not to know about God (p. 84). She throws burrs at the scarlet A her mother wears, and she acts as if she does not know her mother when Hester takes the letter off. Pearl throws rocks at other children, and asks her mother about the black man. Pearl is a constant reminder to Hester of her sin, and she definitely does not make it pleasant for her mother. As hard as Pearl makes life for her mother, she is also a blessing to her mother. Without Pearl, Hester would spend all of her time alone. Pearl is a bright child who entertains her mother.

Puritan Society and a Demon Child

She plays outside and can be nice. Hester describes her child as worthy to have been brought forth in Eden, (p. 67). Pearl is a reminder of her sin, but she is also a reminder of Hesters relationship with Dimmesdale. Her existence helps Hester repent for what she did. Pearls constant badgering of Dimmesdale is also a service to her mother. Pearl can see how upset her mother is by being alone and not being with Dimmesdale. Her constant questioning about why he will not acknowledge them actually helps Hester in the end. Shortly before Dimmesdales death, Pearl kisses him and comforts him. This shows how human she can be. Pearl is a complex little girl. She is passionate, intelligent and active. She is imaginative and curious. Being an outcast is difficult for her because she is not allowed to show her true self to society. She is always an outcast and never gets a chance to fit in. She had no control over the situation and is being punished for it anyways. This punishment given by a society that preaches forgiveness is hypocritical and hurtful. Pearl is a punishment for her mother, but she should not also face punishment. This prejudice against her hurts her chances of ever fitting in, but by the end of the novel Pearl has gotten past this. She eventually sheds her label and moves past the Puritan society.

Puritan Society and a Demon Child

4 References

Hawthorne, N. (1853). The scarlet letter. Upper Saddle River: Prentice Hall.

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