Pearl is the one who moves the action in this chapter, and her response to Dimmesdale and Hester together does not foreshadow a happy ending. In fact, more than ever, Pearl is a symbol of the passionate act of her parents committed She is a constant reminder of both their sin and, if Hester tries momentarily to forget the past and find her solace, Pearl will disapprove. Pearl, throughout the novel, has shown herself to be untamable under human rules and laws and seems to lack human sympathy. Pearl, interpreted on one level, acts like a child who has suddenly realized that her world may be changing. However if she were my child I would have spanked her.
Do you believe that Hester is destined for doom then? What do they need to do to achieve mirth?
ReplyDeleteI think Hester believes that change will bring forth positive change, while pearl thinks otherwise thus causing her to resist the change.
ReplyDeleteI agree that Pearl's reaction does foreshadow a non-happy ending. As mentioned before Pearl can be seen as a blessing to Hester but, also as Hester's consequence of her sin. This reminds me of the chapter where Hester is confronting the governor. "...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..."(Pg. 94)Pearl is still to small to understand and be prepared for any change that occurs therefore, she negatively reacts to it.
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