Join now to read essay Ms.What comes to mind when picturing a pearl? In most cases, the word pearl brings to mind the beautiful, luminous gem fashioned by a certain sea creature. The pearl is known for its beauty and rarity, making it a treasure (for a hefty price) to behold. It would only be proper, then, if not a privelege, for any soul bearing the name of Pearl to adopt this gems striking characteristics. Such is the case when discussing Pearl, daughter of Hester Prynne in The Scarlet Letter. As we become witness to this childs growth and maturity, it becomes evident that Pearl bears this unique name rightfully so.
When Hesters young child is born, she welcomes into her life both sin and blessing. As Hawthorne described the birth of Pearl, “in giving her existence, a great law had been broken.” (Hawthorne, 79) Hester has committed
adultery when conceiving this child. Having been raised in a Puritan lifestyle, Hesters shame was insurmountable. Though the existence of this child was clearly Hesters punishment, the mother saw her daughter as a blessing as well. Hester chooses a name to fit Pearl, and Hawthorne explains her decision: “(Pearl was) purchased with all she had, her mothers only treasure!” (Hawthorne, 79). Also lending to the idea of religion dictating Hesters life, the Biblical significance of Pearls name can be found in the reference “the pearl of great price”, which referred to salvation. Pearl was seen as Hesters salvation from her horrible sin that, paradoxically, brought Pearl into existence.
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Pearl in Early History: The New Temple, Temple of the Dead
The Pearl of Wisdom and Pearl in the Great Puritan Reformation
What about the Bible for the origin of Pearl?
Biblical references to the Pearl are always interesting.
James Bible (1055-1084)
For a few weeks in 1066 and 1067 the book of Revelation appeared in the Christian Church, and it made the Christian Church very much more accepting of Christianity, although also very skeptical of other religions. John Calvin, who died at the age of seventy, wrote in 1067, that the story of the Pearl had been made up by the apostles and prophets, and that there was no need for any Bible.
This, despite the fact that John was said to have said that the Scriptures “were given to those who would, for the sake of my own self preservation, take care of the people, and my own house,” rather than by the apostles and prophets. Calvin gave, as an example, some of his earliest works, the following passage: “If any man ever takes the name of Jesus Christ, let him not name of the one named Christ, but of the whole world; who created and established the world, and dwelt among you also; and made the heavens, and the earth and of all things. And as for Jesus and the earth, which is the handmaid of Christ, he was not called by it from eternity; and not born of woman, it is written in the book of Revelation.” (John Calvin, p. 39, f.8) John added in his introduction, on page 13: “If Jesus said that ‘Christ was not of the earth and all things were created from them, but by the Holy Spirit,’ he was speaking in the language of this world. And this is why this book should not be known as a revelation of God, so much as a book to the apostles and prophets, who did not declare in their tongues a word, but was called unto them by their own lips the word of God. Let it not be told here that Jesus became from nothing flesh, by the word of God. He was not made from nothing that is, by Christ, but of God and the Father, and of the Holy Ghost, and of one who made everything, for all things are made of good grace, and no good thing can be made.” (The Christian Journal, p. 385-9)
John Calvin
John Calvin was also a prominent member of the Protestant Reformation movement, and one of his many critics were, and continue to be, Protestants. In fact, Calvin called up at
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Pearl in Early History: The New Temple, Temple of the Dead
The Pearl of Wisdom and Pearl in the Great Puritan Reformation
What about the Bible for the origin of Pearl?
Biblical references to the Pearl are always interesting.
James Bible (1055-1084)
For a few weeks in 1066 and 1067 the book of Revelation appeared in the Christian Church, and it made the Christian Church very much more accepting of Christianity, although also very skeptical of other religions. John Calvin, who died at the age of seventy, wrote in 1067, that the story of the Pearl had been made up by the apostles and prophets, and that there was no need for any Bible.
This, despite the fact that John was said to have said that the Scriptures “were given to those who would, for the sake of my own self preservation, take care of the people, and my own house,” rather than by the apostles and prophets. Calvin gave, as an example, some of his earliest works, the following passage: “If any man ever takes the name of Jesus Christ, let him not name of the one named Christ, but of the whole world; who created and established the world, and dwelt among you also; and made the heavens, and the earth and of all things. And as for Jesus and the earth, which is the handmaid of Christ, he was not called by it from eternity; and not born of woman, it is written in the book of Revelation.” (John Calvin, p. 39, f.8) John added in his introduction, on page 13: “If Jesus said that ‘Christ was not of the earth and all things were created from them, but by the Holy Spirit,’ he was speaking in the language of this world. And this is why this book should not be known as a revelation of God, so much as a book to the apostles and prophets, who did not declare in their tongues a word, but was called unto them by their own lips the word of God. Let it not be told here that Jesus became from nothing flesh, by the word of God. He was not made from nothing that is, by Christ, but of God and the Father, and of the Holy Ghost, and of one who made everything, for all things are made of good grace, and no good thing can be made.” (The Christian Journal, p. 385-9)
John Calvin
John Calvin was also a prominent member of the Protestant Reformation movement, and one of his many critics were, and continue to be, Protestants. In fact, Calvin called up at
Throughout Pearls childhood, it becomes more evident that Pearl is almost a symbolic embodiment of the precious gem. Throughout the novel, Pearl becomes closely associated with luminosity, a striking characteristic of the pearl. Different characters throughout the novel notice this recurring motif as well. Hester describes an instance in which she discovered Pearls strange ability: “it was as if she were hovering in the air and might vanish, like a glimmering light that comes we know not whence and goes we know not whither.” (Hawthorne, 82) Later on in the novel, Dimmsdale comes to recognize Pearls aura of luminosity as well: “as the minister had described her, like a bright-appareled vision in a sunbeam.” (Hawthorne, 186) In addition, Pearls name comes into play with the popular anecdote “a pearl of wisdom”. This phrase is usually used to describe an important fact that you should not forget. When taken literally, Pearl truly is of great wisdom for her age. She