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Scarlet Letter

 

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 to display to the reader a fragment of Puritanical Society. By no means is Pearl an imp. She is a curious child and, until one separates Hawthorne's fictitious references towards Pearl's demonic soul and Pearl's true intelligent nature, a character analysis of Pearl's identity cannot be created. .
             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.
             While Pearl's natural curiosity drives her on the quest of discovering the truth behind the scarlet letter, it is her sensitive and intelligent nature which answers a few of the questions associated with the mystery. An example of this sensitive nature occurs after the custody battle in which Hester fights for the right to remain as the guardian of Pearl. "Pearl stole softly towards him, and taking his hand in the grasp of both her own, laid cheek against it".


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