" ‘Nay, Mother, I have told all I know,’ said Pearl more seriously than she was wont to speak…’But in good earnest now, Mother dear, what does this scarlet letter mean? -and why dost thou wear it on thy bosom? -and why does the minister keep his hand over his heart?’ She took her mother’s hand in both her own, and gazed into her eyes with an earnestness that was seldom seen in her wild and capricious character".

This dialogue does not seem to be the words of a demon, but a child who is utterly curious about what the le

With the rumor of Pearl’s impish nature dispelled, one can now study her inquisitive and sensitive nature. When Hester Prynne refuses to reveal to Pearl the identity of the young child’s father, Pearl’s burning curiosity quickly ignites and forces her to scream out the following demand. "Tell me! Tell me!…It is thou that must tell me!" This is not the only time Pearl’s curiosity is sparked throughout the novel. In fact, there are many times where Pearl becomes inquisitive over one mystery or another; this next example is one of them. "Why, what is this, Mother?…Wherefore have all the people left their work today? Is it a play day for the whole world"? In this situation, Pearl is overwhelmed by curiosity, as the entire population of Boston is decked in their finery for a reason that Pearl is not aware of. Instead of "keeping silent," as a behaved Puritan child would, Pearl spills out question after question in hopes of understanding something that is an enigma to her.

"The neighboring townspeople…had given out that poor little Pearl was a demon offspring; such as, ever since old Catholic times, had occasionally been seen on earth, through the agency of their of their mother’s sin, and to promote some foul and wicked purpose". From this statement and many others similar to it throughout the novel, many readers are given the impression that Pearl is a possessed child. Before any type of statement can be made on Pearl’s intelligence or sensitivity, it is imperative for one to understand these references are an attempt on Hawthorne’s part

Some topics in this essay:
Hester Prynne, Using Pearl’s, Tell Tell, Arthur Dimmesdale, Puritanical Society, , Indeed Pearl, Pearl Pearl…stole, scarlet letter, Nathaniel Hawthorn, pearl demon, mystery example, throughout novel, sensitive nature, pearl’s intelligence, pearl easily, hester prynne, letter mother’s, intelligent nature,