In the novel The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, written in 1850, the author brings about the question of who the better guardian would be to raise Hester’s daughter, Pearl. In the novel, the three adults who are introduced as possible guardians are Hester, Pearl’s mother, Roger Chillingworth, the town’s physician, and Arthur Dimmesdale, the town’s Minister. When the question is brought forward it is clear that Hester is the superior choice, not only because her guardianship is supported by the puritan theist viewpoint, but Hester is cautious and caring of Pearl, as well as Pearl having a similar temperament and charm to her mother.
The Scarlet Letter takes place in a Massachusetts Puritan town where theism is accepted by the entire …show more content…
The “warfare” of that Hester presents in her temper was obviously present in Pearl (Hawthorn, 83). This allows Hester to recognize herself in Pearl and in Pearl’s feelings. Hester is going to be better able to understand Pearl’s feelings, emotions, and reasons for doing things as a child and even more so as she gets older and needs guidance. Hester has the ability to understand Pearl in a way that someone else trying to raise Pearl wouldn’t. This would make raising Pearl hard not only on whoever was given the task but it would also be hard on Pearl. It would be more difficult on a child who is raised by someone who is unable to completely understand their character and the emotion that creates that character. Hester is also able to see a certain darkness that lingers in her heart reflected in Pearl (Hawthorne,83). This could be short lived and caused by Hester’s worry for Pearl growing up also outcasted. However, if Pearl were to become upset about their situation or wanting to better understand Hester would be best equipped to help her through it. If Pearl were to be given to someone else it is likely she would still be outcasted to a certain degree. This would be hard for someone to handle who doesn’t know how Pearl is feeling or how much she needs to hear about why she and her mother weren’t completely accepted in society. Hester would be able to take care of the situation with considerably less trouble and more sympathy for Pearl. Thus, Hester would be the best to help Pearl understand her situation and walk her through
The Scarlet Letter takes place in a Massachusetts Puritan town where theism is accepted by the entire …show more content…
The “warfare” of that Hester presents in her temper was obviously present in Pearl (Hawthorn, 83). This allows Hester to recognize herself in Pearl and in Pearl’s feelings. Hester is going to be better able to understand Pearl’s feelings, emotions, and reasons for doing things as a child and even more so as she gets older and needs guidance. Hester has the ability to understand Pearl in a way that someone else trying to raise Pearl wouldn’t. This would make raising Pearl hard not only on whoever was given the task but it would also be hard on Pearl. It would be more difficult on a child who is raised by someone who is unable to completely understand their character and the emotion that creates that character. Hester is also able to see a certain darkness that lingers in her heart reflected in Pearl (Hawthorne,83). This could be short lived and caused by Hester’s worry for Pearl growing up also outcasted. However, if Pearl were to become upset about their situation or wanting to better understand Hester would be best equipped to help her through it. If Pearl were to be given to someone else it is likely she would still be outcasted to a certain degree. This would be hard for someone to handle who doesn’t know how Pearl is feeling or how much she needs to hear about why she and her mother weren’t completely accepted in society. Hester would be able to take care of the situation with considerably less trouble and more sympathy for Pearl. Thus, Hester would be the best to help Pearl understand her situation and walk her through