Sunday, February 3, 2013
Pearl embodies the essence of Nature/Freedom
I noticed the narrators description of pearl and her interaction with nature in chp.18 was intricately layered with the mutual understanding of both Pearl and Nature and the respect and desire they shared to be with one another. "A wolf, it is said,- but here the tale has surely lapsed into the improbable,- came up, and smelt of Pearl's robe, offered his savage head to be patted by her hand. The truth seems to be however, that the mother-forest, and these wild things which it nourished, all recognized a kindred wildness in the human child." This passage to me implies the idea that these two forces share a mutual respect for one another.
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I agree with you just like nature, pearl is always herself.She isn't tainted by the world.And just like nature she's going to be herself a wild and free spirit.
ReplyDeleteI agree. In chapter 18 the reader can see a contrast between God's laws interpreted by nature and God's laws interpreted by man. In this chapter Hawthorne's description of Pearl reinforces her mysterious and ethereal nature. She is so closely related to nature in this chapter that here, in the forest, the sunlight plays with her and the forest creatures approach her and can recognize the wildness and the strong bond to nature in the elf-child. Even the flowers acknowledge her presence and tease her when she passes by as if saying, "adorn thyself with me, thou beautiful child, adorn thyself with me!" It seems that Pearl has a stronger affinity for the forest than back in the settlement or even in her mother's cottage.
ReplyDeleteThis chapter made me think that about how lonely Pearl is. She has no friends because she has spent her entire life isolated and as a result she befriends nature. I agree with you guys that Pearl and nature have a lot in common like their wild spirit.
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