What is the plot of the Scarlet Letter?
Hawthorne blends supernatural elements with psychological insight in his story of one woman’s public punishment for adultery. Explore a character analysis of Hester Prynne, plot summary, and important quotes. Read our full plot summary and analysis of The Scarlet Letter, chapter by chapter breakdowns, and more.
Why did Pearl throw the Scarlet Letter away?
Pearl may be too young to understand adultery, but she understands that the scarlet “A” represents the connection between Hester and Reverend Dimmesdale. So speaking, she undid the clasp that fastened the scarlet letter, and, taking it from her bosom, threw it to a distance among the withered leaves.
Why does Hester wear the Scarlet a in the Scarlet Letter?
When Hester asks Pearl why she thinks her mother wears the “A,” Pearl responds that it is the same reason that the minister keeps his hand over his heart. Pearl may be too young to understand adultery, but she understands that the scarlet “A” represents the connection between Hester and Reverend Dimmesdale.
Who is the Scarlet Letter endowed with life?
Indeed, the narrator explicitly tells the reader that Pearl is “the scarlet letter endowed with life.” The narrator tells us that Hester has worked to create an “analogy between the object of [Hester’s] affection and the emblem of her guilt and torture.”
How does Pearl save her mother in the Scarlet Letter?
Hester tells her that if she had not been able to keep Pearl, she would have gone willingly. The narrator notes that it seems Pearl has saved her mother from Satan’s temptations. These chapters link Pearl even more explicitly to the scarlet letter.
What was the governor’s mansion like in the Scarlet Letter?
The governor’s mansion is stuffy and severe. It is built in the style of the English aristocracy, complete with family portraits and a suit of armor, which the governor has worn in battles with the Native Americans. Pearl is fascinated by the armor.