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Pearl
Nov 14, 2007 20:14:42 GMT -5
Post by kimb07 on Nov 14, 2007 20:14:42 GMT -5
In class today we discussed the meaning behind Pearl's name. I found some interesting information regarding the formation of a Pearl that would explain why the name is so meaningful. www.orientalpearls.net/formation_of_a_pearl.phpThis website says that a pearl is formed when "an accidental intruder enters a mollusk's shell. To defend itself, layer after layer of a substance called nacre grows and forms like onion skins around the particle intruder"
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Pearl
Nov 14, 2007 22:02:14 GMT -5
Post by jordynz2 on Nov 14, 2007 22:02:14 GMT -5
thats interesting also i think that its ironic that her name is pearl which was a treasure during that time even though Pearl was a baby born from "sin", but she was still a treasure to hester because this meant she was not alone in the society.
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Pearl
Nov 15, 2007 16:50:05 GMT -5
Post by jillianb02 on Nov 15, 2007 16:50:05 GMT -5
To add on to Jordyn's point, I found it ironic that a pearl is though of as white and pure. Yet in chapter six she is decribed as recieving from her mother not pure rays but crimson and gold rays that were darkened by her sin. These colors are representitive of hell. In this way we see a contrast between the purity implied by Pearl's name, and the actual tainted characteristics (darkened by hell's colors) of the child.
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twin1
New Member
Posts: 11
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Pearl
Nov 17, 2007 19:50:29 GMT -5
Post by twin1 on Nov 17, 2007 19:50:29 GMT -5
I read the website and it does provide insight as to why Hawthorne chooses to name the child Pearl. It says, "Natural pearls can vary in shape and size because the process depends on the piece being coated by nature". This is interesting because Pearl is very different from other children and the townspeople in general, mostly because of nature, or more specifically, because of the mother from which she was born. It is clear to see that Pearl’s nature was imbibed form her mother when Hawthorne states, “The mother’s impassioned state had been the medium through which were transmitted to the unborn infant…however white and clear originally, they had taken the deep stains of crimson and gold” (87). Here, it becomes clear that Pearl has been cultivated by her mother’s nature, and therefore her sin, as an actual pearl is coated by nature.
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twin1
New Member
Posts: 11
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Pearl
Nov 19, 2007 9:52:08 GMT -5
Post by twin1 on Nov 19, 2007 9:52:08 GMT -5
I found this really insightful website about the discussion of Pearls in the bible. Two passages I found most useful were: Matthew 13:45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls.” -This relates pearls to salvation, which is what Hester hopes to acquire Matthew 13:46 “and upon finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had, and bought it. -This relates to Hester naming her daughter Pearl, “as being of great price- purchased with all she had” (85). Here’s the site: www.karipearls.com/pearls-in-the-bible.html
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