Like the letter, Pearl is the public consequence of Hester's very private sin. Pearl acts differently around kids and she does not like to play …show more content… This is a very important quote that explains why the governor wanted to take Pearl from Hester. In Chapter 15, it states that the worst crime she feels she had committed is simply having accepted the advances of Roger Chillingsworth and having ever reciprocated him. How has Dimmesdale lived the past seven years? Constantly spying on the minister’s movements and on those of Hester, he has come to know of their plans to flee from Bosto by ship, and he succeeds in thwarting this plan. 4. At this point Hester feels that her actions were evil and were her fault, therefore she is sorry for committing adultery. She calls their daughter, who has been playing among the forest creatures, to join them. She is very desperate and says she would do anything to keep pearl. Why does sunlight shine on Pearl and not Hester? At one point, Pearl points out Hester 's distorted reflection in the breastplate of a suit of armor: Hester appears to be completely hidden behind the scarlet letter. Chapter 6—Pearl Why does Hester name her baby Pearl? anemones and columbines flowers of the buttercup family. Hester does not need to flee or to live a life of lies in order to resist the judgment against her. Hester described Pearl as “a doubtful charm, imparting a hard metallic luster to the child's character” (Hawthorne 168). What does Hester finally tell Pearl is her reason for wearing the letter? Even when she is punished for her crime of adultery and publicly humiliated by being forced to wear a scarlet A on her chest, Hester does not break. When Hester removes the scarlet letter in the forest, Pearl has a temper tantrum until Hester puts the letter back on. All of this suggests that Pearl is bothered by the fact that her mother is treated differently than others and that she, too, is some kind of outcast. Moreover, why is Pearl obsessed with the scarlet letter? Pearl is an important element in this story. Hawthorne made Pearl an important symbol for Hester. Pearl is a sort of living version of her mother�s scarlet letter. Yet, even as a reminder of Hester�s �sin,� Pearl is more than a mere punishment to her mother: she is also a blessing. Pearl is passionate. Pearl is like a living symbol of Hester’s scarlet letter where at first was the reason for all of Hester’s shame but, ended up being a symbol of hope and a blessing in Hester’s life. As Pearl questions Mistress Hibbins about what the minister hides, the witch tells Hester that she knows the minister also has a hidden sin comparable to Hester's scarlet token. Hester argues to keep Pearl by saying she can teach Pearl the faith through her mistakes and trials, but also by saying Pearl is a daily reminder of the sin she committed. Chillingworth believes that what he is doing is a necessary darkness. “My little Pearl,” said Hester, after a moment’s silence, “the green letter on your childish breast has no meaning. 4. Why doesn't she just give them the name instead of taking on the full responsibility of the terrible sin? 3. Does Hester make a wise choice for this occasion in the way Pearl is dressed? It took no time at all for the point to be proven that Hester should keep Pearl. Hester loved Pearl. The Symbolism Of Pearl In The Scarlett Letter By Nathaniel Hawthorne. Describe Pearl’s costume. The Governor’s Hall (7) 1. Excerpts about Pearl from Chapter 7 "The Governor's Hall" When Governor Bellingham and his cronies wish to remove the potentially demonic child Pearl from her mother Hester in order to save her soul through religious tutoring which they feel is lacking at home, Hester visits the Governor's mansion determined to keep her child. Why? She was the one thing she was proud of. Hester, at least, did feel needed or loved by Pearl, which kept her from many other terrible sins, and she did not have the extra tormenting sin to carry, which shows that she suffered less. Where does Hester plan to meet Dimmesdale? Both views can be supported, but in the end I feel as though there is… He says that when Hester and Dimmesdale committed adultery, they planted the evil in all three of them. Dimmesdale possessed only one thing, which was his suffering. Pearl has a … Throughout the novel, the forest was used to act as a place of freedom and an escape from sin … Hester thinks Pearl is too young to understand and that she deserves better. How does Dimmesdale look as he approaches Hester? Why does Pearl feel bad for injuring the bird? Posted by: C Jones at September 24, 2004 3:09 PM I also feel Hester and Pearl had a good relationship. This evil deed, in Hester's eyes, causes Pearl to act sinful, so Hester feels overwhelming guilt. What symbolic meaning could the sunlight have? Answers 1. Hester’s refusal to tell Pearl the true meaning of the letter is symbolic of Pearl’s role in the novel. She is the product of an act of love — socially forbidden love as it may have been — but love still. If Hester still does not tell Pearl the truth, Pearl might find out the hard way, instead of … How did Hester feel about Roger in their marriage. 6. Pearl approaches warily. You are not required to write answer to the questions; instead, read them before you read each chapter to help give you ideas about what you might look for in the text. Hester stands up to them and defends Pearl. How does Hester feel about Chillingworth? Do you think it is a fitting place for a seven-year-old girl to be? In the novel, Hester is always reminded of her sin and Pearl is the product of Hester and Dimmesdale's sin. Hester and Dimmesdale continue to talk about their big plan. The narrator infers that Pearl is happily married and living overseas in Europe. What response does Hester give? Pearl has a wild energy in her nature to fight against sorrow. How does Hester feel about Pearl? She calls their daughter, who has been playing among the forest creatures, to join them. Tap again to see term . This is why Pearl, as we later learn, is not amenable to social rules. Why does Hester feel responsible for Dimmesdale's physical condition? 7. How does Dimmesdale feel as he touches Pearl's hand? I: Why does Hester worry about Pearl’s personality? She asks her mother if he covers his heart because he has a mark on his chest as well. In reality Hester and Pearl have an unbreakable bond that has been built and strengthened by Hester’s love. Also, Hester has Pearl to raise, and she must do so amid a great number of difficulties. 7. Where does Hester plan to meet Dimmesdale? Why does Hester … Chapter 3 - The Recognition. 31. He refuses to stand on the scaffold with Hester and Pearl the next day at noon. READ: Which of the following elements distinguish good people who make ethically responsible decisions from … Pearl approaches warily. She realizes that, although it is a sin to do so, she hates her husband. 5. Hester seems to feel Pearl's distance as they gaze in the mirror, and she again suspects that Pearl might be possessed by demons. In the open air forest, to tell him the truth: Describe the scene with Hester and Pearl in the sunlight. Chapter 16: “A Forest Walk” 1. Pearl has a … Pearl serves as a symbol of her mother's shame and triumph. Since God created a blessing (Pearl) out of her sin, it almost feels validated and forgiven. Truth Is The Only Safe Ground To Stand Upon . Posted by: C Jones at September 24, 2004 3:09 PM I also feel Hester and Pearl had a good relationship. Pearl is too smart for her own good. The piece of unwelcome news, the master of the ship on which Pearl and Dimmesdale are to sail tells Hester is that Chillingworth will be joining them on their passage because the ship needs a doctor and Chillingworth has told the captain that he is a member of Hester's party. Is it pride, fear, or does she feel responsible for the other person? 7. She will not obey rules. 8. What 2 lies does Hester tell Pearl? nymph-child a young maiden; here, Pearl. The townsman tells the stranger that the judges have been lenient with Hester because of her youth because she is probably a widow. How does Pearl get along with the other Puritan children? 6. The day before the ship is to sail, the townspeople gather for a holiday and Dimmesdale preaches his most eloquent sermon ever. She feels that because of this, she was an agent of transformation and made him also a bad person. How does Hester feel about Chillingworth? There are many things in this world that a child must not ask about. 4. In contrast, Pearl, being a child without any such letter, runs and "catches" a patch of light; then, as Hester approaches, the sunshine disappears. In the end, Hester’s strength, honesty, and compassion carry her through a life she had not imagined. And, as a symbol of the passion between Hester Prynne and the Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale, it is to be expected that Pearl feel an affinity toward the scarlet letter upon her mother's bosom. READ: What is meant by transitive? What does the stranger learn about the reason for Hester’s punishment? Chapter 15: Hester and Pearl: Page 2. Tap card to see definition . Pearl asks Hester to tell her about the Black Man. making garments for the poor and makes garments for wealthy families. Hester shows charitable nature how? What is Hester’s explanation for why she wears the letter? Hester tells Pearl that she was selected by the town to wear the letter as a reward for being so pure. Yet I am sympathetic towards Hester because Pearl is all she has. Like the letter, Pearl is the public consequence of Hester's very private sin. Beside above, how does Hester feel about Pearl? When the governor plans to take Pearl away from Hester, she argues for the happiness that Pearl brought to her. How does Dimmesdale feel as he touches Pearl's hand? The stranger who appears at the outskirt of the crowd while Hester stands on the scaffold is slightly deformed. It was her sin what made him bad, she thought. The question most likely asked hroughout the book is, who is the father of Hester's daughter Pearl? Summary. Describe the scene with Hester and Pearl in the sunlight. CHAPTER 20. Dimmesdale goes home and he is really happy because he is going away with his true love, Hester. Hester bade little Pearl run down to the margin of the water, and play with the shells and tangled seaweed, until she should have talked awhile with yonder gatherer of herbs. More than the scarlet letter, although Hester dresses her as such, Pearl constantly reminds Hester of her sin because Pearl is the love-child; Pearl is Hester’s living sin. After Hester vouches for herself, she turns to Mr. Dimmesdale and asks him to tell the Governor all the reasons why she should keep Pearl. What type of dress did Hester and Pearl wear? As a young girl, Pearl had always had a fascination and obsession with her mother's scarlet letter. Why does this trouble Hester? Pearl suggests the sunshine is running away from Hester because of the A on her bosom. How does Pearl’s behavior reflect Hester’s spirit? How does Hester Prynne feel? Pearl has literally become the reason why Hester does not get involved with Satan. It took no time at all for the point to be proven that Hester should keep Pearl. All in all, I think that this conversation gave a lot of insight into how Hester feels about Pearl and how Pearl really affects Hester. Hester, tired of Pearl asking about the scarlet letter, tells her that the letter is the mark of the Black Man, which she received after meeting the Black Man once before. Pearl 's behavior is very puzzling to Hester. He was her pastor and he should know she could do it. This new knowledge does not free Dimmesdale of Chillingworth's control. Although Pearl is fine, Hester is worried that Pearl will be marked by sin in some way. Why does Hester … What do you think Hester means to say to the town fathers through Pearl’s dress? What does Dimmesdale invite Hester and Pearl to do? How does Hester feel about Pearl? Click to see full answer. How does Pearl react to the Scarlet Letter? She is the being that made her mother's sin known. What does Hester feel Pearl needs to make her more human and capable of sympathy? Reverend Dimmesdale supports Hester’s plea because he says that Hester is the one who created Pearl. Even Pearl does not recognize him because he has changed so completely. Do you know, my child, what this letter means, which your mother is condemned to wear?” “Yes, mother,” said the child. Telling Pearl about the “A” would reveal something that Hester is afraid Pearl can not fully comprehend. Why does it trouble her? What does Pearl ask Hester when they sit and take a break in the forest? Pearl, playing nearby, does not recognize her mother without the letter. The illegitimate daughter of Hester Prynne and Arthur Dimmesdale. Why does sunlight shine on Pearl and not on Hester? Her shame in the face of public opinion, her loneliness and suffering, and her quiet acceptance of her position make her respond to the calamities of others. 8. Dimmesdale then starts coming down the forest path, and Pearl sees him. If she once thought she was happy with him, it was only self-delusion. But that's not what "pearl" means to Hester. Hester replies, "Silly Pearl,” said she, “what questions are these? If you're thinking by now that Pearl is much more of a symbol than an actual character—well, you're right. 4. How does Hester behave towards the magistrates and why? Although Pearl is one of the physical symbols of Hester's sin (the other is the scarlet A), she is much more than that. What feeling does the brook in the forest give Hester and Pearl? When leaving the prison, Hester refused to hide her "letter" with her baby Pearl. Pearl is not satisfied and continues to question Hester until Hester threatens to shut Pearl in a dark closet. ... Hester, for the first time lied to Pearl and told her it's about the gold thread because she cannot bring herself to tell Pearl what the scarlet letter really means and why she has to wear it. Pearl is the result of Hester's adultery; therefore she has a strong connection with the scarlet letter. At one point the narrator describes Pearl as "the scarlet letter endowed with life." This is why she seeks to imitate it. Hester described Pearl as “a doubtful charm, imparting a hard metallic luster to the child's character” (Hawthorne 168). What does Hester realize about Chillingworth at the beginning of Chapter 15? At one point the narrator describes Pearl as "the scarlet letter endowed with life." effluence a flowing forth or outward. That Pearl advances "slowly; for she saw the clergyman" does not bode well for the reunited lovers. Why does Hester wear pearl as a dress? Hester and Pearl do this. Chapter. She has shamed her husband and has created an … “It is the great letter A. Thou hast taught it me in the horn-book.” How does Hester explain Pearl’s existence? 3. Hester is unwilling to unfold the truth to her; the price is too high. Early in the novel, the towns people want to take Pearl away from Hester. She describes her as being her reason for living. 3. What does Dimmesdale invite Hester and Pearl to do? Click card to see definition . 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