Chapter 6 Summary and Analysis

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Hawthorne’s narrator diverges from the narrative in order to devote this entire chapter to discussing Pearl, Hester’s child, so named because she came at a “great price” and was Hester’s “treasure.” The girl has no physical defects, but Hester fears that there’s a “dark and wild peculiarity” about her and starts to think of her not as a human child but as an “elf” (meaning a supernatural creature). Though she loves Pearl deeply, Hester has difficulty controlling and teaching this elf child and doesn’t have the mettle to rebuke the child. As such, Pearl grows up a willful but enchanting child.

Quickly enough, Pearl reaches the age where it’s customary for children to begin playing with other children. Pearl, however, is just as much of an outcast as her mother and is consigned to grow up in imposed loneliness. Luckily, Pearl’s character makes this easier than one would expect. She doesn’t seem to mind playing alone and doesn’t like the other kids. In fact, she hates them and lashes out at them whenever they gather round to make fun of her.

Hester worries that her daughter isn’t human because of her animosity toward the other children. At times, she looks at Pearl and thinks of her as an elf creature rather than as her human daughter. In a particularly striking moment, Hester asks, “Child, what are thou?” when Pearl throws wildflowers at Hester’s scarlet letter. Hester fears that the devil sent Pearl to her. When she asks if the Heavenly Father sent Pearl, the girl says, “Do thou tell me!” Hester can’t come to a conclusion. Pearl’s origins remain a mystery.

Alliteration

Good examples of alliteration in this chapter are “phantasmagoric play” and “a face, fiend-like, full of smiling malice.”

Allusions

Martin Luther (1483–1546). A German theologian whose Ninety-five Theses sparked the Protestant Reformation. Martin Luther questioned the authority of the Pope and spoke out against the sale of indulgences (religious forms of forgiveness for small sins), which were used to line the Church’s coffers. Hawthorne writes that, according to Luther’s enemies, he was “a brat of that hellish breed” to which Pearl belonged.

Symbols

Pearl. In naming her daughter Pearl, Hester makes her a symbol of beauty, treasure, and sacrifice. Though she loves her daughter, Hester is aware that she paid a terrible price for her. This cost weighs heavy on Hester, who fears that her daughter’s beauty has some supernatural element. Pearl thus serves as a reminder of Hester’s shame and of the lust that caused her to invite the devil into her life.

Themes

The Supernatural. Pearl’s “elfish” nature sets her apart from the Puritan children of Boston. She’s an outcast feared not just for her status as the product of a love affair but also for her mysterious, potentially supernatural origins. There’s something inhuman about Pearl that worries Hester. Pearl’s disinterest in other kids her age, her sudden rages, and her spritely communion with nature suggest that she’s not entirely of this world.

Expert Q&A

Which two quotes from chapter 6 of The Scarlet Letter symbolically describe Pearl?

What are four quotes from chapter 6 of The Scarlet Letter that describe Pearl's appearance and behavior?

How do the rhetorical and literary techniques in the first two paragraphs of chapter 6 in The Scarlet Letter contribute to the overall theme?

The rhetorical and literary techniques in the first two paragraphs of Chapter 6, such as metaphor and hyperbole, underscore Pearl's exclusion and uniqueness in the Puritan community. Hawthorne's descriptions highlight Hester's defiance in dressing Pearl extravagantly, further isolating them. The metaphorical references to Adam and Eve and Pearl's exaggerated virtues emphasize her innocence and purity. These techniques reinforce themes of isolation, innocence, and the inversion of societal norms in the novel.

What emotions do the colors crimson, gold, and black symbolize in chapter 6 of The Scarlet Letter?

In Chapter 6, the colors crimson, gold, and black symbolize various emotions and themes. Crimson and gold represent the sin embodied by the scarlet letter, reflecting the stigma and defiance associated with Hester and Pearl. These colors highlight Pearl's role as the "living Scarlet Letter" and her defiant nature. Black symbolizes sin's shadow, evoking sympathy and wariness towards Pearl, as it represents the moral burden inherited from her mother's transgressions.

In The Scarlet Letter Chapter 6, how does Pearl's play contrast with the town children's play?

Pearl's play contrasts with the town children's play through her imaginative and solitary nature. While the town children engage in somber, Puritan-approved activities like mock church services and pretend witchcraft, Pearl creates her own vibrant world, animating inanimate objects as her playmates. This distinction underscores her status as an outcast and highlights her unique, almost magical character, setting her apart from the conventional play of her peers.

How does Hawthorne characterize child discipline in early Boston Colony in The Scarlet Letter chapter 6?

Hawthorne portrays child discipline in early Boston Colony as harsh and religiously driven, emphasizing strict control and "Scriptural authority" to instill virtues. In contrast, Hester Prynne, feeling unworthy due to her sin, attempts a "tender, but strict control" over Pearl, which proves challenging. Pearl, seen as an "emblem of sin," is isolated from other children and reacts with hostility due to their cruel remarks, symbolizing her struggle in a judgmental world.

In chapter 6 of The Scarlet Letter, why does Hester ask Pearl, "Art thou my child?"

Hester questions whether Pearl is truly her child due to Pearl's behavior, which sometimes seems demonic or otherworldly. This reflects the Puritanical belief that Pearl might be a spirit sent to punish Hester for her sin. Pearl's unpredictable actions, alternating between affection and persecution towards Hester, lead to this doubt, highlighting the tension between Hester's personal experiences and the strict Puritan values of her society.

What is Pearl's function in Chapter 6 of The Scarlet Letter?

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