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The Scarlet Letter: the characters
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Hawthorne's four main characters each respond to sin differently: openly, secretly, vengefully, or innocently.
Hester and Pearl
Hester: strong, dignified and independent. She bears her punishment openly, works as a skilled needlewoman and helps the poor. Over time, some people say the A stands for 'Able'.
Pearl: wild, intelligent and impish. She is described as "the scarlet letter endowed with life", a living symbol of Hester's sin and love.
Pearl: wild, intelligent and impish. She is described as "the scarlet letter endowed with life", a living symbol of Hester's sin and love.
Dimmesdale
Admired by his congregation, he hides his sin and suffers terrible inner torment.
His secret guilt damages his health. His final confession brings release.
The narrator's lesson from his story: "Be true! Be true! Be true!"
His secret guilt damages his health. His final confession brings release.
The narrator's lesson from his story: "Be true! Be true! Be true!"
Chillingworth
A learned older man who becomes consumed by revenge. As he torments Dimmesdale, he becomes more twisted and is compared to a devil.
He shows how revenge destroys the avenger.
He shows how revenge destroys the avenger.
How is Pearl a symbol?
- She is the result of Hester's sin.
- She is called "the scarlet letter endowed with life".
- She keeps reminding Hester and Dimmesdale of the truth.
Answer: She is a living version of the scarlet letter, constantly reminding Hester and Dimmesdale of their sin and the need for truth.
Hester: strong, open, independent. Pearl: wild, a living symbol. Dimmesdale: hidden guilt, finally confesses. Chillingworth: consumed by revenge.
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