As Pearl and Hester enter the safety of the forest, Pearl notices a pattern of how the sun is shining and confronts her mother. He states: “The sun doesn't love you. He runs away and hides because he is afraid of something in your bosom” (144). Hester retained the true meaning of Pearl's scarlet letter; however, Pearl notices how it repels sunlight. Sunlight represents happiness and purity, which is why it constantly shines on Pearl. He does not understand the meaning of the scarlet letter, so he remains innocent; while the scarlet letter robs Hester of her purity and happiness. However, when Hester takes away the letter and lets her hair down it is as if "suddenly, as with a sudden smile from heaven, the sun exploded" (159). Hester's virtue and morality are evident throughout the book; however, they remain clouded by the shadow of his scarlet letter. The label allowed the Puritan society to shape its identity which hides its true worth. When Hester ignores the label given to her by society, she remains free and happy. Hawthorne uses nature as symbols throughout The Scarlet Letter. The novel's extensive use of symbols in nature helps to compare Hester and her moral character to the unforgiving standards of the culture in which she lives. Each symbol reveals characteristics of Hester that differ.