A Study of the Symbolic Meaning and Period Value of Pearl in The Scarlet Letter

Abstract

Pearl is a distinctive artistic figure created by Nathaniel Hawthorne in his novel The Scarlet Letter. She is highly symbolic in her identity, name, appearance and character. Her existence not only drives the development of the main characters’ thoughts and behavioral changes, but also carries the author’s praise of truth, goodness and beauty, his communication of ideals and hopes, and the profound understanding of the awakening of women’s consciousness. This kind of praise, communication and understanding has wide contemporary value in today’s society.