To Page 107

"But it was a remarkable attribute of this garb, and, indeed, of the child's whole appearance, that it irresistibly and inevitably reminded the beholder of the token which Hester Prynne was doomed to wear upon her bosom. It was the scarlet letter in another form; the scarlet letter endowed with life!"(93)

This quote comes in after a section where Pearl's clothes are described. "[...] arraying her in a crimson velvet tunic, of a peculiar cut, abundantly embroidered with fantasies and flourishes of gold-thread,"(92) describes more fully how Hester dressed Pearl. Upon closer examination, the "crimson velvet tunic" and "gold-thread" components should be most recognizable. It seems that Hester made Pearl's clothes like hers, crimson, and with gold thread, as on Hester's scarlet letter. This generally expresses a recurring theme of vanity, a theme concerned with Hester's pride in her sin and self. Hester sees her sin as a defining feature, and readily flaunts it in the face of society with her elaborate scarlet letter. "It had the effect of a spell, taking her out of the ordinary relations with humanity, and enclosing her in a sphere by herself,"(51) is a quote that better expresses this view. With herself isolated by her act, she feels more like she has a cause to be living for, and she sees that cause to be to care for her daughter. Knowing that she may have never another child, she sees Pearl as a priority, and dresses her similarly to herself to remind her of this purpose and how Pearl was born of Hester's coveted sin.

With vanity being one of the seven deadly sins, what might become of Hester later on?

"'Nevertheless,' said the mother, calmly, though growing more pale, 'this badge hath taught me - it daily teaches me - it is teaching me at this moment - lessons whereof my child may be the wiser and better, albeit they can profit nothing to myself.'"(101)

This quote comes in during Hester's visit to Governor Bellingham's house. Bellingham, at one point, tells Hester of some gossip he overheard. This gossip simply stated that Hester should give up Pearl, so that she may grow with the potential to go well, rather than to be led astray as Hester was. The previous quote mentioned that Pearl was one reason as to why Hester valued her life, and she objects to such a proposal. The above quote is her objection, and she simply alludes to her main goal, which is to treat Pearl well, and educate her about her sin, so that it may be avoided in the future. As it seems, society sees Pearl as a further mark of shame for Hester. On the other hand, Hester herself sees Pearl as a gift and a blessing, and sees Pearl as her only reason to be in this world.

The Puritan society being holy as it is, would authority look towards gossip and the law or towards Hester's faith, that she may create a better generation if she cares for Pearl?