The Scarlet Letter

Well let me say that I liked this book, and it made me think! I really believe that the people in the book are very judgemental! They judge Hester because of her sin but do they realize that they sin and sinning by judging her? Hester tries to keep herself together and be strong in the beginning but by the time she makes it to the scaffold she breaks. I believe that adultery is wrong but Hesters sin should be between her and God not be put out there by all those around her.
I love the picture of that rose in the prison yard in the beginning and from this I got the picture of innocense or a seed of good that survived among all the bad. "The rose among the thorns." I believe that Pearl is like this little rose and her character really stood out to me throughout the book. She was so innocent but she was exposed to the world and was beginning to understand so much. It seemed her eyes were just being opened to the real world and she wasnt stopping it but, she just wanted to know more.
In the scene, where Pearl points out her mothers reflection in a piece of armor and all that you can really see is Hester's scarlet letter, it seemed to be a symbol that wherever Hester looked it seemed she was reminded of what she had done. It confused me that Hester would not want to leave the town that tortured her for her sins but in the end when Dimmesdale dies it made me believe that she just didnt want to leave because she still loved Dimmesdale and couldnt leave without him. Dimmesdale was an interesting character too. He had sinned but didnt have to be punished publically instead he was punished on the inside and he punished himself. Dimmesdale knew he had done wrong and he punished himself for it.
I thought it interesting that Pearl could feel the connection between her mother, Dimmesdale and herself. Pearl twice wanted Dimmesdale to come out with the truth and to take the punishment and scorn of the town holding her and her mothers hands. Both times he said no and she turned down his offer of kindness. Finally in the end he tells the truth to all the people and she gives him that kiss she had been wanting to give to him. The kiss was like a symbol for the gladness in Pearl that he had finally stood up and made himself known.