Question

Why does Hester dress Pearl in red clothes, where the choice of clothing symbolizes:

A) Purity and innocence
B) Wealth and luxury
C) Sin and passion
D) Modesty and humility

Answer 1

Hester dresses Pearl in red clothes in The Scarlet Letter to symbolize sin and passion.

Step-by-step explanation:

Hester dresses Pearl in red clothes to symbolize sin and passion. In Nathaniel Hawthorne's novel, The Scarlet Letter, Hester is publicly shamed for committing adultery and is forced to wear a scarlet letter 'A' on her clothes as a constant reminder of her sin. By dressing Pearl in red, Hester is not only highlighting her own sin, but also acknowledging the passionate and rebellious nature of her daughter.