I believe that “The Scarlet Letter” begins before Pearl is born- even before Arthur Dimmesdale and Hester Prynne “hook up”. The unfortunate turn of events really begins when Hester meets Roger Chillingsworth- before the love story of Hester and Dimmesdale is even fathomed. Chillingsworth meets Hester as a young girl and somehow seduces her into thinking she is in love with him and marries him. Soon after, Chillingsworth goes on a lengthy voyage overseas; therefore, leaving young Hester alone in the Puritan community. While he is away, Hester meets Arthur Dimmesdale, commits the sin of premarital sex, and months later gives birth to an unwanted, surprise baby, Pearl. Chillingsworth returns home to find his secret wife, with a newborn baby, being
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In Puritan society it is not uncommon for everyone to be dressed in gray, dreary clothing, but with Hester being a professional seamstress, Pearl is always dressed in fine, bright dresses. The outside of Pearl is not the only thing that sets Pearl away from the other children in the community; the inside of Pearl is also different. Despite being raised in a very religious and strict Puritan society, Pearl seems unaffected and unafraid of the consequences of her actions. For example, when Hester and Pearl go to meet the governor, council men, and preacher, a normal child would have sensed Hester’s stress and worry, but Pearl instead cries out for a rose from the rose garden. Also when Governor Bellingham asks Pearl where she comes from, she claims she was born from a rose bush, when the standard “well-educated” Puritan child’s answer would have easily said that they were a gift from God. Thankfully, the men chose to “punish” Hester and make her keep Pearl, instead of casting her away to another family to be raised “better”. Being a single mother, Hester is punished because she always has to have Pearl with her at all times; since there is no father or grandparent at home, Hester never has a “babysitter” to keep an eye on Pearl if Hester ever had a personal errand to run. Pearl is not the most obeying and calm child- remembers the tantrum she threw in the governor’s garden because she wanted a single rose? This fiery temper of hers does not dissipate no matter how much Hester disciplines her. Some women even believe Pearl was a product of witchcraft because of how uncontrollable she could be. Eventually when Pearl is seven, Hester and Dimmesdale meet together in the forest and dream of running away together. During this time alone together, Pearl spends her time playing in the brook and becomes awfully close with the animals. It is
In Puritan society it is not uncommon for everyone to be dressed in gray, dreary clothing, but with Hester being a professional seamstress, Pearl is always dressed in fine, bright dresses. The outside of Pearl is not the only thing that sets Pearl away from the other children in the community; the inside of Pearl is also different. Despite being raised in a very religious and strict Puritan society, Pearl seems unaffected and unafraid of the consequences of her actions. For example, when Hester and Pearl go to meet the governor, council men, and preacher, a normal child would have sensed Hester’s stress and worry, but Pearl instead cries out for a rose from the rose garden. Also when Governor Bellingham asks Pearl where she comes from, she claims she was born from a rose bush, when the standard “well-educated” Puritan child’s answer would have easily said that they were a gift from God. Thankfully, the men chose to “punish” Hester and make her keep Pearl, instead of casting her away to another family to be raised “better”. Being a single mother, Hester is punished because she always has to have Pearl with her at all times; since there is no father or grandparent at home, Hester never has a “babysitter” to keep an eye on Pearl if Hester ever had a personal errand to run. Pearl is not the most obeying and calm child- remembers the tantrum she threw in the governor’s garden because she wanted a single rose? This fiery temper of hers does not dissipate no matter how much Hester disciplines her. Some women even believe Pearl was a product of witchcraft because of how uncontrollable she could be. Eventually when Pearl is seven, Hester and Dimmesdale meet together in the forest and dream of running away together. During this time alone together, Pearl spends her time playing in the brook and becomes awfully close with the animals. It is