Townspeople believe
Pearl is the incarnation of the Devil
, while Hester believes Pearl is the physical embodiment of her sin. Hester believes that, while society punishes her for sinning, God has a different reaction.
Did they take Pearl away from Hester?
Horrified, the governor and Mr. Wilson are immediately ready to take
Pearl away from Hester
, who protests that God gave Pearl to her and that she will not give her up. Pearl is both her happiness and her torture, and she will die before she relinquishes her.
Why did the townspeople want to take Pearl away from Hester?
Why do the townspeople want to take Pearl away from Hester?
They fear Hester is abusing Pearl
. They are concerned about Pearl’s moral upbringing. They are worried that Hester cannot support Pearl financially.
Who harasses Hester and Pearl on their way to the governor’s mansion?
On the way to the governor’s mansion, Hester and Pearl are accosted by
a group of Puritan children
.
How do the townspeople treat Hester and how does she react?
How do the townspeople treat Hester, and how does she react?
The townspeople all look down on Hester and publicly disrespect her
. When she is mocked, she feels insulted but never tries to retaliate.
How does Pearl save Hester?
She aims at
Hester’s scarlet letter
and throws flowers at it, which makes Hester think about her sin. Pearl’s behavior punishes Hester, and the existence of Pearl is the living embodiment of the sin. However, only through this punishment on her mind can Hester obtain her redemption and enhance her will.
Why does Pearl say she was plucked from a rosebush?
Pearl’s response is indicative that, like the prison rose bush,she, too,
is a symbol of passion
. In fact, she is more symbol than human until the events of Chapter XXIII bring her fully into the world of humanity as Dimmesdale beckons her onto the scaffold, ‘Dear little Pearl, wilt thou kiss me now?
What did pearl do when other children approached her?
But Pearl was a fearless child. She frowned, stomped her foot, and shook her little hand in several threatening gestures. …
She screamed and shouted so loud that the children’s hearts must have quaked with fear
.
Does it maintain the same significance here?
Does it maintain the same significance here?
No
, because it’s in front of Governor Billingham’s house, and he is not sympathetic towards Hester. Also, Pearl is screaming for one. … They think she should be taken away from Hester, because Hester is corrupting her or Pearl is making it so Hester can’t recover.
Why does Hester name her daughter Pearl A She is beautiful beyond comparison B she had traded everything to get the child c she is priceless like a pearl?
Who is Pearl? Why did Hester name her daughter Pearl?
She refers to is as a price, that Hester had put all effort into her daughter
. She, the child, is Hester’s only treasure.
Why does Hester say she should keep custody of Pearl?
Hester argues to keep Pearl by
saying she can teach Pearl the faith through her mistakes and trials
, but also by saying Pearl is a daily reminder of the sin she committed.
What causes Dimmesdale to cry out when he is on the scaffold?
What causes Dimmesdale to cry out as he mounts the scaffold?
A splinter lodges itself in his hand. A great pain strikes his heart. His hunger and exhaustion cause his head to hurt
.
What do the townspeople want to do about Pearl and why?
The townspeople reason that
if Pearl is a demon-child, she should be taken from Hester for Hester’s sake
. And, they reason, if Pearl is indeed a human child, she should be taken away from her mother for her own sake and given to a “better” parent than Hester Prynne.
What magic touch does Hester need to transform her once again into a beautiful loving woman?
L4: What magic touch does Hester need to transform her once again into a beautiful loving woman? Hester needs the “magic touch” of someone
to undo her cap and transform her back
into a woman when her hair would be let down.
How has Hester changed since the beginning of the story?
How has Hester changed?
She has devoted her life to charitable works
; she gave to the poor, helped the sick, and her scarlet letter was now viewed as “Able,” not “Adulteress.” She has also lost her beauty and the aspects about her that made her light and graceful.
How is Hester Prynne treated?
How do the townspeople treat Hester? How does she react?
They treat her horribly and call her names
. The religious leaders stop her in the street and preach to her to make an example of her.
