The Scarlet Letter blog #4

Quote 1:
"She resembled, in her fierce pursuit of them, an infant pestilence, -the scarlet fever, or some such half-fledged angel if judgment,-whose mission was to punish the sins of the rising generation" (Hawthorne 93).

Analysis 1:
Chillingworth is using Pearl as a medium with which to inflict his vengeance upon Dimmesdale. The manner in which Chillingworth is pursuing his vengeance sharply resembles the tactics of Iago in the play Othello. Iago pretended to befriend Othello only to play upon his insecurities and fool him into his downfall. In the same way, Chillingworth, is seen in Dimmesdale's social ring at the Governor's house remarking upon the overly concerned manner in which Dimmesdale treats Pearl.

Quote 2:
"Therefore it is good for this poor, sinful woman that she hath an infant immortality, a being capable of eternal joy or sorrow, confided to her care [...] that, if she bring the child to heaven, the child will also bring the patient thither!" (Hawthorne 105).

Analysis 2:
One is easily swayed into feeling sympathy for Prynne. She has lost her honor and does not allow herself to rejoice in anything that brings her happiness, because she regard it as sin. Curiously enough, Pearl brings Prynne felicity, yet Pyrnne feels no guilt. Pyrnne is rather self critical and she still feels that the happiness Pearl gives her is righteous. Pyrnne's conscience screams for justice and forgiveness for the sin that Pyrnne has so heavily repented.