"it inbred into sinfulness, to hester, pearl was

“ It is to the credit of human nature, that, except where its selfishness is brought into play, it loves more readily than it hates. Hatred, by a gradual and quiet process, will even be transformed to love, unless the change be impeded by a continually new irritation of the original feeling of hostility.” (Hawthorne insert page #) Pearl has played a major starring role throughout The Scarlet Letter. As Hester’s child, she has faced as many trials and tribulations as her mother had, which consisted of her torment by the town’s children because of a sin she did not commit. In the novel, Pearl is not looking forward towards making friends so therefore the town’s children considered her as a threat which leads to them bullying her.

Particularly because of her relations with Hester, Pearl did not get a break from the all the physical and verbal abuse. Inbred into sinfulness, to Hester, Pearl was a beautiful symbol that stood as her sin. As Pearl grew into a beautiful and wise child, Hester realizes that Pearl works to point out the power of her crime/sin. (insert in-text citation) In the novel, Pearl has been both a blessing and a curse to Hester. Being that she has no honest clue about what is going on regarding her mother, she becomes more honest and questionable. As shown through Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter, children are more perceptive and honest, but they lack reliability, making them a key factor. In the novel, The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, Pearl is her mother’s peace at life, her conscience, and her anchor to keep her sane.

Without Pearl, Hester would have gone delirious for the reason that the townspeople and town children are continuously agitating herself as well as her child. It is self-evident that Hester cherishes Pearl because she is the only person who can ease her mind in any kind of situation. Starting from the town children’s teasings to Chillingworth’s threats, not once did Hester break.

Earlier in the novel within chapter three, Hester is clenching Pearl while implanted onto the scaffold is when she first identifies Chillingworth. No longer was Hester worried about his arrival but as to if he will try to harm her child in any type of way. Additionally,  a visitation from Chillingworth is made. This scene is clear as day that Hester has forgotten all about protection for herself but for Pearl.

Hester says “ Wouldst thou avenge thyself on the innocent babe?” (insert in-text citation) This confrontation being conversed between the two adults is mostly Hester articulating the fact that she will not let anyone ill-treat her child. Living in sin, both Hester and Pearl have encountered numerous confrontations in distinction to the townspeople and even more as from the town children. The period from Hester being released from prison and trying to regain an original life did not attempt to refrain the town children from teasing them both.

Going back to the novel, in chapter 7, the town children suggested “ Behold, verily, there is the woman of the scarlet letter; and, of a truth, moreover, there is the likeness of the scarlet letter running along by her side! Come, therefore, and let us fling mud at them!” (Hawthorne 90). It is evident that the amount of affliction affected Pearl. By seeing as to the fact that she was disgruntled with the children always pestering her, she retaliated by scaring them off. In an alternate reality, if Hester did not have Pearl then she would have been more respected since her sin would not have been revealed. Children would see her as a motherly figure despite not having a child. Regarding a child’s innocence, they are willing to do or even repeat a conversation that an adult has had (in-text citation).

Not knowing that by saying those things will affect the person to whom they are speaking to. The children have openly expressed their thoughts as to how they felt about both Hester and Pearl.  Not only did they indicate their animosity for both Hester and Pearl, they also had to antagonize them whenever they had the chance. It was as if Hester finally got rid of all the townspeople bickering and taunting her but now she has their children on her back. Back then rumors and gossip would spread around the town faster than anyone could imagine but it is the principle that information that would come from adults would be overheard by the town children.

Which is why the provoking was harsher coming from the children than the adults. Not only did they repeat what they heard, but also had the audacity to concern themselves with a business that had nothing to do with them. Children now are known to be more honest and perceptive but less dependable than adults (insert in-text citation). In the novel, Pearl is known to be more perceptive than others as well as the town children. Both Pearl and the town children provide harsh judgment within people that are being spoken upon. Pearl coherently expresses her opinion about Dimmesdale hiding the honest truth that he is her father. Not only does she explicitly hints her feelings and emotions towards her mother and Dimmesdale but also towards other town folks. In chapter 16, Pearl exclaims “ Mother,” said little Pearl, “ the sunshine does not love you.

It runs away and hides itself because it is afraid of something on your bosom….  It will not flee from me, for I wear nothing on my bosom yet!” (insert in-text citation). In this scene, it is evident that Pearl is aware of her mother’s situation which she is addressing. Sadly for Hester, she can not control the wordings that comes from Pearl. She is the most honest of them all and the Puritans of the town have come to believe that she has become a demon child, for her behavior and also for her sly comments towards them. While Pearl is telling the truth but telling it slant, the town children do not have a care in the world as to how the person they are acknowledging feels.

According to Nathaniel Hawthorne, the children’s innocence is a major factor throughout the novel. Children differ from adults in a wide range of categories, such as exposure to different types of social developments. Whenever a phrase comes from an adult it is most likely meant to be said and is easily interpreted, but from a child, words are being repeated from those whom it is heard from.

Children do not know any better regarding the things that they say and whatever has been said would be the most bizarre phrase. In The Scarlet Letter, Nathaniel Hawthorne’s expresses greatly how children make an impact in the novel. Children will repeat, do or say anything that an adult has said because they are not sure what is being asserted. Children are more honest than adults towards speaking their minds.

Pearl is a key factor and a symbol throughout the novel, making her appearances some of the most important ones. By her being the leading child in the novel, her thoughts are expressed greatly and even more than the town children and the townspeople. In conclusion, children are manifested to be more unfeigned than adults, as that they are not positive towards the phrases that come out of their mouths, which apprehends them of their innocence.