"Pearl is not an independent character so much as an abstraction of elements of Hester's character" (Baym 57). Pearl and Hester are impulsive, rebellious, and mischievous. Hester is even reminded of her own sin through Pearl's behavior. Baym states "it is her [Pearl's] role to enforce the mother's guilt as well as to represent her rebellion" (57). For Hester, Pearl symbolizes innocence and although she is conceived by sin, Pearl has no control of how her life will turn out. When Hester is asked to come to a midnight meeting of witches in the forest, she assertively remarks "Had they taken her [Pearl] from me, I would willingly have gone with thee [Mistress Hibbins] into the forest" (Hawthorne 116). Both mother and daughter are outcasts of the town, and at their lonely cottage, Pearl is Hester's companion and is fully dependant on her mother. To Hester, her child is her treasure and she pays a great price to get Pearl. Although at first Pearl was seen as Hester's sin, Pearl becomes Hester's purpose, leading Hester to become a completely different person thus changing the "A" to mean "able" rather than "adultery". Pearl highlights the best and worst qualities in Hester.
Pearl brings out many hidden features of both Dimmesdale and Chillingworth as well. As with Hester, Pearl is also a constant reminder of sin for Dimmesdale, as he too commits a sin by bringing the child into the world. Every time Dimmesdale is around Pearl he fears her. He fears that the townspeople might recognize the resemblance between father and daughter. For Dimmesdale, Pearl symbolizes guilt. He feels guilty when he sees her because she reminds him of his sin, and makes him feel even guiltier that he hasn't confessed. Also, he feels guilty because he isn't there for Pearl like a father should be. He feels guilty because he is scared that Pearl doesn't love him. This is apparent when Dimmesdale kisses Pearl on the cheek in the forest and she goes and washes it away.
