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Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter, a classic tale, shows conflict within a Puritan colony in the 1600s. With her husband in England, Hester Prynne is alone in Boston, awaiting his arrival. After two years, somehow a child is conceived, and the townspeople accuse her of adultery because her husband is not present in the colony yet. The story opens up with Hester Prynne being displayed on the scaffold for the townspeople to scold. The Scarlet Letter tells the story of Hester’s new burden, her husband’s attempt at revenge, and her secret lover’s silent remorse. It, therefore, is “a tale of guilt, shame, and repentance” (Chavez D-4). Hester’s affair brings about a child, a new burden on Hester’s already troubled life. Pearl’s wit and perception, even at three years old, lead many to believe her father to be the Devil. Only Hester knows the real truth; Arthur Dimmesdale, the reverend, is Pearl’s father. Because she committed adultery, Hester represents everything dark and sinful, whereas the young gorgeous Pearl represents everything light and beautiful. Hawthorne uses contrasting symbols of light and dark throughout his novel. “ ‘Mother the sunshine does not love you. It runs away and hides