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Post by laurensc116 on Nov 26, 2012 20:19:45 GMT -5
In Chapter 6, it is difficult to see what Pearl fully understands about herself at this young age. We can assume that Pearl does not know who her father is based on the way that Hester will not confess this name to anyone, even to lighten the burdens on herself. However, on page 95, when it is stated, "'He did not send me!' cried she positively. 'I have no Heavenly Father!'" it can be seen that she does recognize the absence of a father figure in her life. Does this statement show us that Pearl understands many other things, such as that she is a product of sin, or is this just childish ignorance? Thoughts?
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Post by juliana112 on Nov 27, 2012 11:26:43 GMT -5
While I do recognize that Pearl is highly intelligent for her age, and that she does recognize the absence of a father figure, I do not think she is mature enough to realize that she is the product of a sin. Pearl is facinated with the "A" that is constantly on her mother's chest, and she constantly draws attention to it, so if she knew what exactly the "A" stood for and why it causes her mother such pain, I think she would be more conscientious of her reaction to it. But since Pearl is just a little girl, she probably thinks it is something pretty to look at, and it makes her mother more special than anybody else (since no one else wears an "A").
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Post by audreyba112 on Nov 27, 2012 21:31:24 GMT -5
It is clear that a definite reason for Pearl's interest in the "A" is because only her mother wears it and she loves her mother, however I think Pearl also suspects some deeper meaning to it. Whether she has connected the "A" on her mother to her lacking a father is unclear, however the narrator hints that maybe she does. Right before the line given above on page 95 when Pearl is about to respond to Hester's declaring that she was sent by the heavenly father, it says "whether moved only by her ordinary freakishness, or because an evil spirit prompted her, she put up her small forefinger, and touched the scarlet letter." It's definitely possible to interpret this gesture that the narrator wants to hint Pearl's knowledge of some connection between her paternity and the "A".
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Post by leiade116 on Dec 2, 2012 11:03:18 GMT -5
I agree with what has been said, and I think that Pearls interest in what the A stands for and if it is a negative or positive symbol continues to grow, which is evident on page 177 when she Pearl asks, "What does this letter mean mother?-and why dost thou wear it?-and why does the minister keep his hand over his heart?" Pearl notices things that shock Hester, like Dimmesdale putting his hand over his heart. Her ability to make these kinds of observations makes her unique from the average 7-year-old.
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Post by clarele112 on Dec 5, 2012 17:05:14 GMT -5
Like what others said, Pearl seems to partially understand the meaning of the scarlet letter and herself, a product of sin. In a way, Pearl's ability to recognize the meaning of the letter underscores the society's blindness. While a seven year old is able to make a connection between Hester who has a scarlet letter on her chest and Dimmesdale who constantly places his hand on his chest with pain, the society is blinded by their firm belief of Dimmesdale and thus is unable to recognize the relationship. This relates back to one of the characteristics of puritans - only seeing what they want to see and disregarding things that go against their beliefs.
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Post by jingyanxi116 on Dec 5, 2012 18:27:41 GMT -5
I don't think that Pearl has a clear idea of what sin is; I agree that Pearl has an unnerving amount of interest in the A, and that she is highly intelligent for her age, but it seems as if she is simply able to notice things such as Dimmesdale placing his hand on his chest, and is puzzled by them. When she questions her mother about the A, it seems more likely that she really doesn't know what it stands for, instead of already knowing the connection and trying to get her mother to say it. It isn't definite that Pearl connects the A with sin and her existence.
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Post by 14elesvik on Dec 8, 2012 15:08:08 GMT -5
I think Pearl, being the essence of Romanticism, does not truly understand the meaning. She, as a Romantic, is full of feelings and instinct. Thus, she, without logic (thus, making a clear distinction b/c Classicism and Romanticism) saw patterns and talked about it. Again, she is only 7...she doesn't REALLY get it....she just innocently likes Hester's A.
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Post by 14elesvik on Dec 8, 2012 15:12:48 GMT -5
Although, I have to admit...Pearl notices the Old World vs. New World theme in her world; she is very sharp. "The New England Holiday" points toward this idea. When I first read it I thought it meant the holiday was new too. As I read on, I noticed that the narrator was saying that the "art of gayety" was forgotten (227). The Puritans have forgotten how to be happy. Pearl notices this and says that the " [Blacksmith] looks as if he would gladly be merry, if only some kind body would teach him how!" (224). Not only is this funny but it speaks to Pearl's sharp instincts.
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