Pearl Prynne Character Traits
Pure as a Pearl Pearl Prynne is a care-free child with a bold and curious spirit. She acts with naïve confidence and speaks without thinking twice about what she will say next. These characteristics are seen in the way she interacts with nature and how her sharp intuition shines in her personality. In chapter 15, the beginning phases of Pearl’s relationship with nature start to unfold. Ignorant to the fragility of nature, she “seized a live horseshoe by the tail, and made prize of several five-fingers, and laid out a jellyfish to melt in the sun” (254). She plays with living creatures as if they are her toys, and is very violent with nature’s beings. Her hostile ways continue to be shown when she throws pebbles at beach birds, and “showed great dexterity in pelting them” (255). These destructive themes persist until she watches a tiny bird
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This characteristic gives a mature aspect to her personality. As a baby, Pearl frequently touches the scarlet letter upon her mother’s bosom, “grasped at it, smiling, not doubtfully, but with a decided gleam that gave her the look of a much older child” ( ). Her responses toward the scarlet letter suggest that she has an understanding of the power it has over Hester. In chapter 6, Hester asks Pearl, “who sent thy hither?” and Hester goes on to say that “Thy Heavenly father sent thee!” ( ). To this, Pearl responds by crying out, “I have no Heavenly father!” ( ). This bold statement gives the impression that Pearl already had it set in her own mind that she believed she had no God. For a small child, Pearl has very strong emotions and beliefs. Throughout The Scarlet Letter, Pearl displays a multitude of bold characteristics. Her relationship with natures evolves into a more positive and cooperative one. From a young age, her intuition shows in her actions. Though, Pearl has a childish and spritely spirit, an undertone of maturity and wisdom shows in her
This characteristic gives a mature aspect to her personality. As a baby, Pearl frequently touches the scarlet letter upon her mother’s bosom, “grasped at it, smiling, not doubtfully, but with a decided gleam that gave her the look of a much older child” ( ). Her responses toward the scarlet letter suggest that she has an understanding of the power it has over Hester. In chapter 6, Hester asks Pearl, “who sent thy hither?” and Hester goes on to say that “Thy Heavenly father sent thee!” ( ). To this, Pearl responds by crying out, “I have no Heavenly father!” ( ). This bold statement gives the impression that Pearl already had it set in her own mind that she believed she had no God. For a small child, Pearl has very strong emotions and beliefs. Throughout The Scarlet Letter, Pearl displays a multitude of bold characteristics. Her relationship with natures evolves into a more positive and cooperative one. From a young age, her intuition shows in her actions. Though, Pearl has a childish and spritely spirit, an undertone of maturity and wisdom shows in her