The Scarlet Letter: Symbolism of the scarlet letter If one would like to read a book with a considerable amount of symbolism, The Scarlet Letter provides more than ample examples. The one that is most evident, perplexing, and misunderstood in the book is Pearl, the daughter of Hester Prynne. Throughout the story Pearl manifests and evolves into a prominent symbol of the scarlet letter, which Hester, at all times, has to where upon her bosom. In Nathaniel Hawthorne’s, The Scarlet Letter, Hester receives an “A” for committing the criminal act of adultery. This was the Puritanical method of punishment. Public humilia