"And mother, he has his hand over his heart! Is it because, when the minister wrote his name in the book, the Black Man set his mark in that place? But why does he not wear it outside his bosom, as thou dost mother?"
Pearl is told by her mom that she signed the black man's book to make her be quiet, and then when the little girl sees Dimmesdale walking through the woods she comments on how maybe he did the same thing. Which is true, both of the adults committed a sin, and Pearl notices how her mother has to wear it on the outside so everyone can see, but Dimmesdale covers it up and keeps it secret inside of him. Although Pearl thinks this on false pretence, but it shows how much she really does see.
I agree Sonja, I love how Hawthorne used Irony so well in this depiction of the two meeting.
ReplyDeleteI like this part too!! but i dont know why Hester lied to her.. it might come back at her in the end!
ReplyDeleteYes, Pearl is, indeed, preternaturally perceptive (her precocity is one of the many delights in the novel!). Write more in your next post, your observations could probably benefit the entire class!
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