Analysis of Rhetoric

Chapter 8

    Hawthorne uses many types of rhetorical devices throughout chapter eight. When Mr Wilson says to Pearl, "... young one... what has ailed thy mother to bedizen thee in this strange fashion", it shows a use of diction (75). The word "bedizen" illustrates that Mr. Wilson is trying to bother Pearl. The purpose of the diction is to show that Mr. Wilson is saying that Pearl is dressed distastefully. Another rhetorical device is a metaphor. The metaphor emerges when the minister says,"Pearl?-Ruby rather!-or Coral!-or Red Rose, at the very least, judging from thy hue" (75). The minister is comparing Pearl to red objects because the dress she has on. The purpose is to show that he is not only making fun of her dress, but also her name. Also the purpose of the constant repetition of the exclamation points is that it further emphasizes that the men are mocking and bullying Pearl. Another use of metaphor surfaces when the magistrate says, "Women, it is thy badge of shame'' (76). The metaphor compares Hester's sinful scarlet letter to a badge. The purpose of the metaphor is to show the reason why Hester should not be able to keep Pearl. The men use the letter as an excuse to take Pearl away from Hester. The use of pathos exists in the chapter when Hester exclaims,"God gave her into my keeping" (77). The purpose of the pathos is to show that Hester is arguing that she has a right to keep Pearl because God entrusted her with Pearl. Pearl being Hester's daughter was God's will, so the men possess no right to take her daughter away. The final sentence of the chapter shows diction because of the words "... the child saved her from Satan's snare" (80). The diction describes that because Hester has been granted permission to keep Pearl, she has no desire to go to the witch gathering. The purpose is that Pearl has saved her mother from committing another sin by attending the with gathering.          

Chapter 6
Hawthorne's use of rhetorical devices help shape his purpose in chapter 6. Pearl is a symbol of both the good and bad that Hester has brought into the world. "Hester Prynne often dropped her work upon her knees, and cried out with agony  which she would fain have hidden, but which made utterance for itself, betwixt speech and a groan-"O Father in Heaven,-if Thou art still my Father,- what is this being which I have brought into the world"(88)! Hester is so thankful to have a treasure like Pearl because she brings so much joy to her heart, but at the same time Pearl represents the sin that she had committed. It's a crime and a reward. Hester is paying for having Pearl, but also being rewarded for having her. Pearl also replies to her mother when she states, "He did not send me! I have no Heavenly father!"( 90). Hester doesn't want Pearl to say that because she knows that it is true. If God didn't want Pearl there then why did her mother have her? As an example of what not to do. This is a controversy so whether Pearl really belongs in the world. Her mother went behind Puritan faith and had her, but the God rewarded her for it. This helps demonstrate the deeper purpose that Pearl plays a symbolic role only to come alive at the end. Pearl plays that savior that gets her mother through her tough life.