" 'He did not send me!' cried she, positively. 'I have no Heavenly Father!' "
(Hawthorne 67)
Since the day that Pearl was born, no one looked at her as an innocent infant. The girl was born into sin and was looked down upon and was scorned by all. Pearl was considered to be "a beautiful flower, growing out of sinful soil." Because of the acts that Hester was accused of, Pearl had to live a life in the shadows. Hester took the matter into her own hands and taught her daughter of God's word. Denying that God was her Heavenly Father, was a symbol of Pearl defying the views of the Puritan community. What reason did she have to follow in the light of God, if all God had done was bring Hester and herself pain and suffering. The sole fact that Pearl was described to be an outcast and an imp, meant that she had no right to socialize with the other christened children in the community. Pearl being aware of her mother's mistakes, understood the way she was treated by others. The other children especially would act strange toward the Hester and Pearl, understanding that they may have not been good Puritan people, but instead followers of the devil. Since Pearl is having extremely assuring doubts that God is not the "almighty", can create a barrier between Hester and herself. The only way to find out, is to keep reading.
Rita has outstandingly underlined the mystery in which this story morally revolves around. If one is not accepted by society, why should he or she accept society or its principles? Why should Pearl believe in a God that the community imposes on her with negativity? At the age of three, she already possesses a certain wit and logic that a normal Puritan would not be able to achieve because of their close-minded mentality. The novel is only getting juicer and I cannot wait to read on and see what is next. Great blog Ritoosh!
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