The Scarlet Letter?

Question

1) In chapter 5, how is Hester's needlework important? Why isn't she asked to sew for weddings?

2) In chapter 6, what's the reader's impression of Pearl? How do you know this?

I wasn't sure... It's not really clear to me, may someone please help me with tjese questions ASAP?
Thank you in advance.

Answer 1

1. Hester's needlework is her skill that supports her and her baby. Also somewhere in the chapter Hester believes that through this needlework she is serving her penance. She's not asked to sew for weddings since her sin, Adultery, contradicts or taints the meaning of a wedding as something special.

2. Well it says in the beginning that Hester thinks of Pearl as her greatest treasure hence the name. The child is free spirited and she like a wild flower and Hester is not able to control the child's impulses. The reader probably gets the impression that she's a strange and unique child that is a very important part of Hester's life.

Answer 2

I haven't read that book in over 30 years, but I still remember some of it.

1. Hester made the A very elaborate and pretty, which was ironic because it was supposed to be a mark of shame. Some of the gossiping women thought she must have been somehow proud of her adultery by making the A look attractive with her needlework.
Hester was someone that no one wanted to be associated with, so they certainly wouldn't have wanted her needlework to be used in their weddings. They may have thought it would bring a curse on the wedding to have an adultress contribute her needlework.
2. I don't know how I can help here, other than to say a pearl comes from an oyster, so Pearl is something beautiful that comes from something dark and ugly (an adulterous relationship). Pearl also seems to know who her father is--Reverand Dimmesdale (I think that was his name).

Answer 3

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