It seems Hester has grown used to wearing her scarlet letter while she is alone. When it is just her and Pearl, Pearl is the reminder of Hester's sin. However, the mirror reminds Hester that she is not viewed by society as a person. She is viewed and judged by her sin. No one looks at Hester for herself, they first notice what she has done wrong. Her true self, and her good heart is hidden from society's view by her sin and its representation as the scarlet letter.
""God gave me the child!" cried she. "He gave her in requital of all things else, which he had taken from me. She is my happiness!- she is my torture, none the less! Pearl keeps me here in life! Pearl punishes me too! See ye not, she is the scarlet letter, only capable of being loved, and so endowed with a million-fold the power of retribution for my sin? Ye shall not take her I will die first!"(103).
Governor Bellingham and other people of the town want to take Pearl away from Hester. They believe that Hester is still full of sin and if she remains Pearl's guardian, Pear will also grow up to become sinful. However, Hester knows this is completely untrue and that she should be able to remain with her child. Pearl is the only thing keeping Hester alive. Pear is her entire world and she loves her and wants her to be the best person possible. Hester learned from her sin and at heart, is not a sinful or evil person, and she knows that she can raise Pearl well. However, while Pearl is Hester's only joy, she is a torture as well. Pearl is a constant reminder to Hester of her sin. Pearl is a walking scarlet letter to Hester. Hester completely views Pearl as a joy, but also as a painful reminder of her sin, which is a punishment in itself.
- What is the symbol of the red rose that keeps coming up?
- Is Dimmesdale Pearl's father?
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