A Mirror

林瑞韜

Introduction

As a masterpiece of Symbolism，The Scarlet Letter written by Nathaniel Hawthorn has been studied by many critics in terms of Symbolism.Almost all the concrete objects are regarded to carry with some symbolic meanings.Even Pearl has unavoidably been explored as a symbol of a living scarlet letter A.However，Pearl in fact not only exists as a symbol.Thus，this paper comprehensively reveals the existence value by analyzing the relationship between Pearl and Hester，Pearl and Dimmesdale，Pearl and Chillingworth，and Pearl and the society.In essence，the existence value of Pearl is like a mirror to reflect all the creatures in the novel.

Existence Value of Pearl

The existence value of Pearl can be explored as a mirror.

On Hester：the symbol of adultery V.S.the spiritual support

On one hand，Pearl is the living symbol of the scarlet letter A.Her birth reveals her mothers sinful deeds.And from that moment on，Pearl serves as a constant reminder to Hester of her sin.For example，in the first chapter，Hester with Pearl in her arms went onto the scaffold，at the same time wearing a scarlet letter A on her bosom.When people are curiously staring at Pearl and the letter A，they took the infant and the letter A as the same sign for sin.She also asked her mother where she came from，who was her father，why the sun avoided her mothers appearance，and so on.In essence，her speeches and behaviors torture Hesters mind.

On the other hand，Pearl is for Hester the only spiritual support and survival force.Hester gave her daughter the lovely name：Pearl，as being of great price，-- purchased with all she had，-- her mothers only treasure! Her dressing-up of Pearl expresses Hesters insistence on the brave pursuit of love and life.Her brave pursuit is more apparent in her speech when she taught pearl to purse the sunshine by herself.

On Dimmesdale：sincerity V.S.hypocrisy

Theres a direct and sincere relationship between Pearl and her father Dimmesdale.Pearls sincere and candid questions reveal Dimmesdales hypocrisy and selfishness to the full scale by way of their face-to-face dialogues.There are only five direct contacts between Pearl and Dimmesdale.Although the time for their contact is limited every time，and almost every time Pearl repeatedly asks the same question，their contacts uncover Dimmesdales hypocrisy and selfishness in contrast to Pearls sincerity and candidness.The sharp and sincere questions she raised are a great burden for Dimmesdale.Dimmesdale cannot answer all these questions because he takes the identity of priest much more important than the identity of a father or a lover.His denial of sin out of hypocrisy makes Pearl reject his kiss，his hand and his love as a father.

On Chillingworth：innocent freeness V.S.freewheeling wickedness

Hester betrays and hurts her husband Chillingworth by giving birth to Pearl.In this sense，although Chillingworth is the legal father of Pearl，their relationship is opposite and contrary.Both of them handle matters by free will，however，Pearls innocent freeness forms a distinctive contrast to Chillingworths freewheeling wickedness.

Pearl，like a little elf，is recognized as a wild and mischievous girl without obeying to any limitation.She never fear to express her feelings and thoughts at any moment，even when her mother “breaks heart，and sheds tears”.Her innocent freeness reveals that she is undisciplined by the rules of Puritanism.On the contrary，Chillingworth resolves to seek the other crime maker.He hides his real identity and goes to research in the village，pretending to be a doctor.He evilly revenges to torture Dimmesdales mental while Dimmesdale knows nothing about his real intention and makes friends with him.

On the community：natural humanity V.S.oppressive humanity

The birth of Pearl itself is a revolt against the puritan morality.With Pearls growth day by day，her natural humanity is gradually developing to contrast greatly with the oppressive humanity in the puritan society.Pearl grows up at free without the disciplines of puritan society.Just out of her natural wildness，she asks questions at her curiosity which，however，are unaccepted by the Puritans.So the puritans considered her as the children of Satan.Pearls existence proves the distortion and inhibition of the Puritan society upon people.

Conclusion

According to above analysis，Pearl does not exist just for the symbol of scarlet letter A.Her existence value is realistic and profound by making contrast with other characters and the puritan community.She mirrors every character and the community.She reflects their beliefs，pretences，sins，evils，and oppressions，etc.from a natural and innocent way.She is the mirror of the whole book!