"this boon meant [...] to keep the mother's soul alive, and to preserve her from blacker depths of sin into which Satan might else have sought to plunge her!" (104-105)
Though Pearl was a symbol of sin, she was a constant reminder of the mistakes in Hester's life. Knowing our mistakes, we can learn how to act in the correct way. Pearl helps Hester to become better and to repent for her sin. This argument is supported when Mistress Hibbins asks Hester to go to the forest to do what I suppose is witchcraft, or to sign with the Black man. Hester refuses because she has to take care of Pearl. Pearl manifests her guidance in abstract ways.
"'No, my little Pearl!' said her mother. 'Thou must gather thine own sunshine. I have none to give thee!'" (94)
This furthers the idea that Hester has accepted her sin. She feels she has no goodness inside of her. All her sunshine was gone after her adultery. Hester does not want her child to look up to her, for she has nothing good to offer, only sin. This may have been why the magistrate wanted Hester to give up Pearl for another family to take care of. Though Hester cannot support Pearl well enough, she is her only and most valuable possession, thus the name Pearl.
Questions:
1) Why did Pearl take Dimmesdale's hand and put it against her cheek?
2) Is Pearl going to become to the devil Hester thinks she is?
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