Hester Prynne: A Mother's Sin

In chapter 8, Hester Prynne is facing whether or not Pearl will be separated from her. Though she is an ill-fit parent and she will be raising Pearl alone in seclusion and sin, she has every right to keep her child. Pearl will be a living reminder of her mother’s sin, and it will give Hester the opportunity to use her sin as a lesson to her daughter. Moreover, it is known that a child’s relationship with their biological mother benefits both the child and the mother. In multiple cases throughout the text, it is shown that Hester and Pearl share equal reciprocity for each other’s lives. Even though Hester Prynne is not the ideal mother, she should be allowed to keep her only treasure, Pearl. On page 78, Reverend Dimmesdale said, “ … is there not a quality of awful sacredness in the relation between this mother and this child?” while trying to
Pearl will be a living reminder of Hester’s sin. Hester even said on page 77, “ … she is my torture, none the less!” “She is the scarlet letter,” it reminds Hester daily of her fault. It is a punishment to have to raise the product of her sin. This can keep Hester from not only sinning again, but it can also keep Pearl from sinning as well. Hester exclaimed “ I can teach my little Pearl what I have learned from this!” This is the first thing Hester says in response to the governor’s concern of Hester raising Pearl, and is by far the most prominent argument she has. Hester continues to argue her point by saying “lessons whereof my child may be wiser and better.” Pearl can also learn from her mother. Many times parents only show what to do, never what not to do. Hester can obviously use her mistake as an effective lesson. Pearl will remind Hester of her sin, but it gives her a chance to use her sin as a lesson as