Nathaniel Hawthorne's novel The Scarlet Letter employs dramatic influence within the characters with the contrast of light and dark. “Blackness” did not refer to race. Dark colors emphasize sin and their evil and clueless intentions while light emphasizes innocence and exposure. Hawthorne implicates Calvinist beliefs of innate depravity in the color of Hester Prynne's scarlet letter, the reactions of Prynne's daughter Pearl, the depiction of the forest and the "black man." Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay. Hawthorne manipulates lighting to heighten emotion, depravity, and power. This idea is particularly evident with Hester Prynne and Pearl, emphasizing the contrast while acknowledging the irony. Prynne had an illegitimate child with Dimmesdale. Based on the idea of ​​innate depravity, everyone is born a sinner. Pearl was born of sin, born a sinner, so she symbolizes sin. Chapter two focuses on one of the many lights in which Pearl is depicted. “She carried in her hands a child who winked and turned his little face away from the too bright light of the day… knowing only the gray twilight of the dungeon” (36). The image evokes empathy for Pearl's plight and Prynne's imprisonment, as well as revealing her helpless state as she is publicly exposed by day in front of the people in the market. The scarlet letter has been traced with gold thread creating a luminous appearance. Further away, as the stranger looked at her, “The hot midday sun burned her face and lit up her shame: with the scarlet sign of infamy on her breast” (44). Even though she was vulnerable, the “A” showed power. The scarlet letter was like the tormenting fire of hell, “blazing on his breast, to depict the reality of sin” (54). In addition to locating light, Hawthorne illustrates intentions with the physical appearance of the characters. Although Pearl was the result of sin, she displayed a rich beauty: “With deep and vivid hues; a fair complexion, eyes possessing an intensity of both depth and brilliance, and hair already of a deep and shiny brown, which will be almost akin to black. There was a fire in her” (69). Hawthorne pointed out that the shine and brightness allude to her neglect of being a product of sin. The black hair emphasized that his soul was unrecoverable from a state of sin. The fire within her could possibly be an ambiguous reference to her forever depraved self or to the sin that has yet to flower; Sin's flourishing could be the result of his loneliness which leads to his deep understanding and self-confidence. This idea is an implicit anti-transcendentalist concept. However, others, such as the former minister, connect 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 darkened with black hues, reiterating depravity and darkness. Old Roger Chillingworth, on the other hand, seemed to have devil-like qualities. Hester was indeed surprised by his shapely appearance. “How much uglier they were—how much his dark complexion seemed to have become darker and his figure more distorted—since the days when she knew him familiarly.” (77). Additionally, in the novel, Chillingsworth's evil appearance is described by the color of his eyes; “A menacing blue light shone in the eyes of the »,.