In these chapters, the scarlet letter itself is nearly characterized. We see in these chapters how the letter reverts from inflicting guilt on Hester to marking her as a kind and generous townswoman. Hawthorne writes, "they had begun to look upon the scarlet letter as the token, not of that one sin, for which she had borne so long and dreary a penance, but of her many good deeds since" (147). This addresses how people are viewed in society, whether they are viewed for past sin or present good.I think it is interesting, though, later when Hester still refuses to tell Pearl what it is for and for the first time strays away from its connection to her sin.

These chapters also address femininity. I find it interesting how Pearl has prevented Hester from being a free woman. She has tied her down to traditional womanhood. Hawthorne writes, "At times, a fearless doubt strove to possess her soul, whether it were not better to send Pearl at once to heaven, and go herself to such futurity as Eternal Justice should provide" (150). Although almost questioning and something one may just casually ignore, this line is deep in regards to feminism and dark with its morbid speak of sending her daughter to heaven. But, this addresses how the traditional woman is tied down by children, and Hester exemplifies this as the father of her child cannot expose himself.

Furthermore, in these chapters Pearl is given a more human nature. Though she is still compared to elves, witches, and demons, On page 163, Pearl is attributed with human qualities and characteristics, yet at the end of the long paragraph, she is still called an "elfish child." This gives the reader more insight to her as she has grown, but begs to remind the reader that she is still the same, nearly possessed, child that has been born from sin.

Finally, I think the questions Pearl inquires are very interesting, particularly the one about Mr. Dimmesdale with his hand on his heart. I believe he keeps it there because he feels agony in his soul and his soul, as a minister, has sinned. Though not visibly branded, he brands himself to society by visually gripping at his soul. I was curious why Hester is not envious of his lack of public humiliation as he has equally sinned, but now I see that he is facing a much harder inward humiliation. Hester is able to move on now in society; whereas, Mr. Dimmesdale must move on by himself through revealing the truth.

p.s. Chillingworth has gone mad... if you couldn't tell