Passage From the Text
" In all the seven bygone years, Hester Prynne had never before been false to the symbol on her bosom. It may be that it was the talisman of a stern and severe but yet a guardian spirit, who now forsook her; as recognizing that, in spite of his strict watch over her heart, some new evil had crept into it, or some old one had never been expelled. As for little Pearl the earnestness soon passes out of her face." (145)
" 'Mother!--Mother!--Why does the minister keep his hand over his heart? ' ' Hold thy tongue, naughty child! ' answered her mother, with an asperity that she had never permitted herself before, ' Do not tease me; else I shall shut thee into a dark closet! ' " (146)
" 'Mother!--Mother!--Why does the minister keep his hand over his heart? ' ' Hold thy tongue, naughty child! ' answered her mother, with an asperity that she had never permitted herself before, ' Do not tease me; else I shall shut thee into a dark closet! ' " (146)
Response to the Text
5) In this chapter, Hester feels somewhat startled and slightly betrayed, as she finally has figured out what Pearl's purpose is in life for Hester. Although Pearl is a source of happiness for Hester, she is also the physical embodiment of Hester's scarlet letter, and is therefore is tasked with constantly reminding Hester of her past mistakes. It is ironic that Hester has no problem with being out in public showing her scarlet letter to the people of Boston; however, when Pearl asks why she wears it and what it symbolizes, Hester then lies. Hester's threat to Pearl to shut her into a dark closet is Hester attempting to lock away her shame, but she is very aware that it is impossible to hide her shame from anyone, and that God has made sure to have her learn from her actions. This is very much like in the modern day, when almost any shameful activity is not secret to only one person, and is therefore always public whether the it was intended to be or not. It is also said that this is the first time that Hester has lied about the scarlet letter and that she allowed herself a greater amount of anger than under normal circumstances. 6) This shows just how taken aback Hester is at Pearl's questioning of the scarlet letter. Hester reacts in ways that are unlike her normal character because she has not expected her only source of pride to become a reminder of the sin that has completely changed her life. Another source of irony is that Pearl is very obviously a representation of Hester's sin just by her mere existence, yet it takes Pearl's words to spark a reaction from Hester, rather than her presence. Pearl also demonstrates in her dialogue here that she is not only interested in the sin of Hester, but also in the sin of Dimmesdale. This is really foreshadowing of what is to come during the falling action of the novel.