"Pearl"
1. Pearl was given her name because of her great cost and she was her mother's only treasure, but at the end of the chapter Hester claimed that Pearl "art no Pearl of mine! (88)". Why does she believe or want to believe that Pearl is no child of hers?
2. What is the significance of the first thing Pearl noticing in her life the scarlet letter?
"The Governor's Hall"
1. Pearl is seen as being of demonic origin to the Puritans and the children of the Puritans. However, she is also described as an "angel of judgment--whose mission was to punish the sins of the rising generation (92)". Do you view her as a being of demonic origin or as an angel of judgment? Why?
2. At the end of the chapter, Pearl began to cry for a red rose upon seeing the rose-bushes. What does this symbolize? Do the rose-bushes relate to the wild rose-bushes discussed in the first chapter of the book?
I think that Hester views pearl not as a treasure, but a burden. Pearl is a constant reminder of the act she committed. She wishes to believe that Pearl is a temporary outcome rather than a longstanding one.
ReplyDeleteShe will never just be a young girl, she will always be the outcome of adultery. This is symbolic of the control that her mothers actions have on her.
I believe that Pearl is simply an unlucky girl. She herself can pass no judgment, because she has no judgement to give. Although she is a reminder, and somewhat of a consequence of a poor decision, i still believe she is good at heart.
I believe this is symbolic of the curiousness of the reader. much like young Pearl is somewhat clueless to her surroundings, we as readers also have many big questions to answer.