In the novel The Scarlet Letter written by Nathaniel Hawthorne in 1850, the author portrays Hester Prynne as a condemned woman who suffered public humiliation, but shows a great amount of compassion in her character. Hester shows her compassion by single-handedly taking care of her daughter Pearl. Although Hester is seen as a subjective shameful Puritan who can not care for a child by the Puritan society, she is the best guardian to Pearl because she protects Pearl no matter her setbacks, she will teach Pearl the right ways to live, while influencing her to be good, and because Hester forms a strong connection with Pearl that cannot be broken.
Hester Prynne is the best guardian for Pearl because she protects her throughout the book despite …show more content…
Governor Bellingham asks her what she can do for Pearl and Hester replies “I can teach my little Pearl what I have learned from this” (Hawthorne 101). First of all, like many single mothers in society, Hester resists the community’s attempts to take Pearl away from her. This is one action she takes that displays her ability to be a good parent. This is also a way that Hester teaches Pearl that it does not matter how much public shame a person has, it should not belittle them inside. This explains why Hester wants to keep Pearl, to influence her to not follow in Hester’s steps, but to follow in her own. Hester strives to be the best parent by teaching Pearl the good that can come out of her situation through examining the consequences of her own. What Hester wants most is for Pearl to be taught wisdom from her sin, even if it means defending her from anyone. Overall, Hester is teaching Pearl about pride, not what comes out of shame, and for this, she is the greatest guardian that Pearl needs. Society needs parents that are willing to teach their kids to learn from their mistakes, not follow them, and this is something that Hester is able to do. In addition to this, Hester teaches Pearl Puritan values, such as religion. Pearl does not know how to respond to the question “Who made thee”(Hawthorne 102)? Religion is important in the Puritan community and for Pearl to not know basic religion shows that she needs a guide to direct her. Hester teaches Pearl that her only father is the Heavenly Father. This is the religious knowledge that she needs because she would not understand her earthly father, and it also goes to show that Hester is doing her motherly job of educating her daughter. This continues to serve as evidence that Hester is the best parent for Pearl because of her
Hester Prynne is the best guardian for Pearl because she protects her throughout the book despite …show more content…
Governor Bellingham asks her what she can do for Pearl and Hester replies “I can teach my little Pearl what I have learned from this” (Hawthorne 101). First of all, like many single mothers in society, Hester resists the community’s attempts to take Pearl away from her. This is one action she takes that displays her ability to be a good parent. This is also a way that Hester teaches Pearl that it does not matter how much public shame a person has, it should not belittle them inside. This explains why Hester wants to keep Pearl, to influence her to not follow in Hester’s steps, but to follow in her own. Hester strives to be the best parent by teaching Pearl the good that can come out of her situation through examining the consequences of her own. What Hester wants most is for Pearl to be taught wisdom from her sin, even if it means defending her from anyone. Overall, Hester is teaching Pearl about pride, not what comes out of shame, and for this, she is the greatest guardian that Pearl needs. Society needs parents that are willing to teach their kids to learn from their mistakes, not follow them, and this is something that Hester is able to do. In addition to this, Hester teaches Pearl Puritan values, such as religion. Pearl does not know how to respond to the question “Who made thee”(Hawthorne 102)? Religion is important in the Puritan community and for Pearl to not know basic religion shows that she needs a guide to direct her. Hester teaches Pearl that her only father is the Heavenly Father. This is the religious knowledge that she needs because she would not understand her earthly father, and it also goes to show that Hester is doing her motherly job of educating her daughter. This continues to serve as evidence that Hester is the best parent for Pearl because of her