Scarlet Letter Blog 2

Every mother clutches onto her children with a certain maternal protection and need to love them, but Hester's relationship regarding Pearl goes much deeper. Pearl is the ultimate paradox in Hester's life, she represents two conflicting emotional strains, "The object of her affection and the emblem of her guilt and torture"(93). Pearl is the prize, yet she is the punishment. Hester lost everything through her sin and her sole compensation was this "intolerant brood"(86), who not only serves as a daily living reminder of her mistakes, but also another less than cooperative obstacle in Hester's daily life. Hester loves Pearl not only because of her maternal connection, but for her very survival "This boon was meant, above all things else to keep this mother's soul alive"(104). Without Pearl, Hester has hardly anything to live for, society ravaged her life because of her sin. Hester is kept out of further sin only because of the presence of Pearl, without her Hester would not think twice about turning to darkness"Had they taken her from me, I would willingly have gone with thee"(107). Hester must live with two constant reminders of her sin, the "A" and Pearl, but these crosses she must bear are her salvation. They have made her stronger and given her reason to keep out of sin, a reason to prove society wrong. Despite the evident hardship that Pearl adds to Hester's life, she does show that Hawthorne believes good can come out of an evil situation because Pearl forces Hester to become stronger and gives her a reason to stay away from sin. By staying away from sin, Hester has been able to turn her life around which may redeem her in the eyes not only of the reader and God, but also of society and the father of her child.