“She resembled, in her fierce pursuit of them, an infant pestilence, - the scarlet fever, or some such half-fledged angel of judgment, - whose mission was to punish the sins of the rising generation” (93).
Pearl is the scarlet letter in action. Instead of remaining calm, Pearl solves her problems in an uncivilized way. Even though she is young, she will not let anyone talk to her in a negative way. Her offensive nature suggests she is the devil’s child, a product of sin. If Pearl was the product of sin, Hester cannot keep her. Hester needs Pearl because she will keep her from the darkness. Pearl will remind the townspeople that Hester is not the only one who sinned. If anyone insults her or her mother in the future, they would be punished.
"Would it be beyond a philosopher’s research, think ye, gentlemen, to analyze that child’s nature, and, from its make and mould, to give a shrewd guess at the father?" (106)
Chillingforth’s appearance has changed, “how much uglier they were,-how his dark complexion seemed to have grown duskier, and his figure more misshapen (102). His dark appearance suggests his evilness and obsessive desire to get revenge. Since, Chillingworth wants to guess who the father is, he may already know. Mr. Wilson protects Hester and Pearl through saying it is unnecessary. There is some good in the town, not everyone wants to see Hester and Pearl suffer.
Questions:
Does Mr. Wilson know who Pearl’s father is?
Why do they want to take Pearl away from Hester?
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