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Throughout the novel Pearl displays several examples of being more than just an ordinary child. Even from the beginning of little Pearl’s life the townspeople expected her to be demon-like. For an example at the end of chapter six the narrator clearly expresses “the talk of the neighboring townspeople; who, seeking vainly elsewhere for the child’s paternity, and observing some of her odd attributes had given out that poor little Pearl was a demon offspring” (91). Even though her name is Pearl her personality does not reflect any of the physical qualities of a pearl. In fact, she is more like a diamond that reflects all colors. She is a wild, rambunctious child. Hester believes what she went through during her pregnancy is a reflection of her daughter and it is why she is excitable. When Pearl was in her crib, Hester would stand over her and Pearl would grab the letter “with a decided gleam that gave her face the look of a much older child.”(89) Even at an early age Hester noticed abnormal qualities about her child. Another example of her being more than a mortal child is when she was old enough to walk she would gather flowers and throw each one at her mother’s letter and dance every time a flower hit the letter. Hester would ask Pearl what she is and who sent her and Pearl would ask her the same question back then Hester responded in saying God sent her and Pearl cried “He did not send me! I have no Heavenly Father!”(91) When Pearl says this I think she is not referring to God but to her real father, Dimmesdale. Dimmesdale is viewed to be saint-like by the townspeople, unaware of his sin, so when she says she has no heavenly father she is implying that her saint-like father is not a true father to her. This also illustrates th... ... middle of paper ... ...he sunshine is just like the people in town its runs away from Hester because she is a sinner. Pearl is intelligent, knowledgeable, and mischievous. These traits are what help develop or add to her character and help formulate her to appear more than just a traditional or mortal child. In conclusion Pearl is more than a mortal child. She has more knowledge than what she is told. Many people throughout the novel believe her to be a demon or have demon like qualities including Hester herself. She is a wild, uncontrollable, definite character. Many examples I have provided throughout the story display these qualities and support my theory of Pearl being more than ordinary. These qualities also are what make her more than an average child. I think everything Pearl says or does has a more elaborate meaning which leads me to believe she is more than just an average child.

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