In Nathaniel Hawthorne's novel "The Scarlet Letter," young Pearl, at the age of a few months, is already considered a product of sin; she is even stifled by the judgment passed not only on Hester but on herself. As Hester recollects her standings she acknowledges two possessions, "She turned her eyes downward at the scarlet letter ... to assure herself that the infant and the shame were real" (41). Her pearl and the scarlet letter are compared as signs of sin. The scarlet letter was society's punishment on her put pearl was a higher power's punishment. The scarlet letter could be neglected and forgotten given time but Pearl would grow and err. Hawthorne means to ignite the idea that sin is part of each person and cannot be forgotten but must be embraced and cared for.

Pearl's name signifies her nature as the narrator explains the significance of Pearls name...