Nathaniel Hawthorne's novel, The Scarlet Letter, employs dramatic impact within the characters with the contrast between light and darkness. “Darkness” did not allude to race. Dark colors emphasize sin and their evil, deranged intentions while brightness emphasizes innocence and exposure. Hawthorne implies Calvinist beliefs of innate depravity in the color of Hester Prynne's Scarlet Letter, the reactions of Pearl, Prynne's daughter, the depiction of the forest and the “Bogeyman”. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay Hawthorne manipulates enlightenment to impose emotion, depravity, and power. This idea is particularly evident with Hester Prynne and Pearl, who emphasize the contrast but recognize the irony. Prynne had an illegitimate child with Dimmesdale. Based on the idea of ​​innate depravity, everyone is born a sinner. Pearl was generated by sin, she was born a sinner, therefore she symbolizes sin. The second chapter emphasizes one of the many lights in which Pearl is portrayed. "He carried in his hands a child who winked and turned his little face away from the too bright light of the day... he knew only the gray twilight of the prison" (36 ). The image evokes empathy for Pearl's plight and Prynne's imprisonment, as well as revealing her helpless state as she is publicly stripped during the day in front of people in the market place. The Scarlet Letter was traced with gold thread thus creating an illuminating appearance. Further on, as the stranger looked at her, “The hot midday sun burned her face, and illuminated her shame: with the scarlet mark of infamy on her breast” (44). Although he was vulnerable, the “A” was shown to be in power. The scarlet letter was like the tormenting fire of hell, “Blazing upon his breast, to represent the reality of sin” (54). In addition to the placement of light, Hawthorne illustrates intent with the characters' physical appearance. Although Pearl is the result of sin, she displays rich beauty, “With deep and vivid hues; a glowing complexion, eyes that possess an intensity of both depth and radiance, and hair already a deep, shiny brown that will almost resemble black. There was a fire in her,” (69). Hawthorne pointed out that the shine and brightness allude to his carelessness about being a product of sin. The dark hair emphasized the fact that his soul was irredeemable from a sinful state. The fire within her could perhaps be an ambiguous reference to her forever depraved self or the sin that has yet to flourish; the sin to prosper could be the result of her loneliness which leads to her deep understanding and dependence on herself. This idea is an implicit anti-transcendentalist concept. However, others, such as the old minister, link Pearl's appearance to that of the Scarlet Letter; "Pearl? - Ruby rather! - or Coral! - or Rose Red, at least judging by your hue," (75). The different shades of red are obscured by black shades, or thus reiterate the depravity and darkness. Old Roger Chillingworth, in contrast, resembled devil-like qualities. Hester was really surprised by her modeling look. "How much uglier they were, how much his dark complexion seemed to have become darker, and his figure more deformed, since the days when she had known him familiarly." (77). Furthermore, in the novel, Chillingsworth's evil appearance is described by the color of his eyes; "A light shone from the doctor's eyes, burning, blue and menacing, like the reflection of a furnace,",".