How Does Pearl Mature In The Scarlet Letter

Growing up different helps an outcast learn to be independent and observant. In The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, Pearl grows into this very character. Even as an infant, Pearl can easily detect how people observe her. Townspeople that grew up with her treat her like she is less than them, but she does not let this keep her down. Pearl's own father does not want to acknowledge the fact that she exists, but she is confident enough in her own abilities to confront him about his issues. Despite Pearl’s constant struggles with her ignorant mother, being an outcast, and Dimmesdale’s unwillingness to accept her as his daughter, she still grows into a strong, intelligent character who is beyond her time. Pearl is born into a society where
her mother's sin will reflect upon her for the rest of her life. Yet, this clings onto Pearl like a dark shadow which ends up helping her understand life in her own way. She is a symbol of good coming from bad, as stated, “a wild rosebush, covered, in this month of June, with its delicate gems, which might be imagined to offer their fragrance and fragile beauty to the prisoner as he went in” (42). In one way, this focuses on a theme of symbolism and shows Pearl being of value and worth. Being her mother’s only prized possession out of her miserable life, Hester names her ‘Pearl’ which is a unique object of worth (73). Hester feels as though she should protect Pearl by leaving many things unsaid and unknown. This teaches Pearl how to learn through her own observations. Pearl’s symbolic existence leads her down the path of a mischievous and imaginative life. Hester’s parenting helps shape Pearl into who she is. Although Pearl struggles with her father being a coward, she still sticks with her gut and speaks her mind.
Pearl makes many observations throughout the book about her father as when she states, “A strange, sad man is he, with his hand always over his heart” (179). Through this observation, Pearl realizes a connection between him and her mother. She is constantly reminding Dimmesdale that it is wrong he is holding in his sin. This reveals Pearl’s side of intelligence and confidence because she realizes the issue and is not afraid to try and help it. Dimmesdale’s lack of support for Pearl uncovers how he is scared of her and what she represents, his sin. Pearl’s life and how she has to live it, forces her to be an outcast which allows her to become more
observant. Growing up is not easy for Pearl, but her struggles help her become who she is.
Strangely, Hester sees her own daughter as an irregular character and surprisingly calls her an imp. On the contrary, this could be seen as not strange at all and instead taken as Hester not wanting to accept her daughter. This thought greatly affects Pearls character because it gives her a reason to rebel against her mother. But, no one really knows or understands Pearl, many just assume or think who they want to think she is. Certain townspeople get a glance on Pearls unknown side when she, “resembled, in her fierce pursuit of them, an infant pestilence, --the scarlet fever, or some such half-fledged angel of judgment,--whose mission was to punish the sins of the rising generation” (83). When Pearl unveils the protective side of her personality, everyone might assume that she is wild or an unobedient child when in reality Pearl knows she should not be treated like a minority and sticks up for herself. This shows how Pearl is a unusual child for her time because many obedient children would not imagine to act like this. Due to a lack of socialism, Pearl is transformed into her true potential which is unusual because more townspeople would expect Pearl to become unsuccessful and dimwitted. This fact alone emphasizes how Pearl chooses to be different and how she uses her intelligence for her own advantage. She is cunning and able to inspect complex observations. This helps her later in life as a
young, successful woman. Pearls headstrong personality helps her and her mother survive life in the eyes of the judgmental townspeople. Pearl is confronted with many hardships throughout her life dealing with her parents and townspeople. Even in her adolescent life she is destined for potential. Although certain people treat her differently, it is for the better. Pearl, wants what is best for her family and she is not afraid to do what she thinks is best for them. When faced with tough trials and tribulations, Pearl learns to be confident, strong, and overall, she becomes a woman before her time.