Throughout
,makes it very clear thatloves her daughter, , very dearly. Hester seems
to be fully aware of the gifts with which Pearl has been graced, including beauty, grace,
passion, and intelligence.
It is important to note, however, that Hester was
not only aware of Pearl's gifts, but also the traits that Pearl possessed that were likely to
lead her into trouble. Hester was especially aware of her daughter's imperfections in
personality and mindset due to the fact that Hester's punishment had caused her to be
continually and painfully aware of the fact that Pearl was conceived sin; this truth meant that
Hester "could have no faith, therefore, that its result (Hester's adultery) would be for
good."
To some degree, Hester's fears are not completely unfounded,
since Pearl does exhibit some undesirable characteristics.
The child could not be made amenable to rules. In giving her existence, a great law
had been broken, and the result was a being whose elements were perhaps beautiful and brilliant,
but all in disorder; or with an order peculiar to themselves, amidst which the point of variety
and arrangement was difficult or impossible to be discovered.
Of course, no child is perfect, but Hester blamed the heightened emotions that she
experienced during her pregnancy for Pearl's fluctuating moods and sometimes
disobedience.
No comments:
Post a Comment