Post by catherinem07 on Nov 19, 2007 21:33:57 GMT -5
Is it possible that Hester might fear Pearl early on?
The evidence i'm looking at is from early on in the text when Hester speaks of "that look appeared in her wild, bright, deeply black eyes" which gave Pearl the feeling of "remoteness and intangibility" (88-9). Hester's response was to shower Pearl with "earnest kisses -- not so much from overflowing love, as to assure herself that Pearl was flesh and blood, and she was not utterly delusive. But Pearl's laugh... made her mother more doubtful than ever" (89). However, when Hester would look at Pearl, cries of agony sometimes escaped her "which she would fain have hidden, but which made utterance for itself, betwixt speech and a groan, "O Father in Heaven -- if Thou art still my Father -- what is this being which i have brought into the world!" (92).
Is it possible she has yet to come to terms with the consequences of her adultry? Or perhaps it is apprehension for Pearl's future or potential for destruction?
The evidence i'm looking at is from early on in the text when Hester speaks of "that look appeared in her wild, bright, deeply black eyes" which gave Pearl the feeling of "remoteness and intangibility" (88-9). Hester's response was to shower Pearl with "earnest kisses -- not so much from overflowing love, as to assure herself that Pearl was flesh and blood, and she was not utterly delusive. But Pearl's laugh... made her mother more doubtful than ever" (89). However, when Hester would look at Pearl, cries of agony sometimes escaped her "which she would fain have hidden, but which made utterance for itself, betwixt speech and a groan, "O Father in Heaven -- if Thou art still my Father -- what is this being which i have brought into the world!" (92).
Is it possible she has yet to come to terms with the consequences of her adultry? Or perhaps it is apprehension for Pearl's future or potential for destruction?