Chapter Eight: The Elf-Child and the Minister
Is Hester Prynne an unfit mother?
First we must ask what is a mother?
thefreedictionary.com
-A woman who raises a child.
-To give birth to; create and produce.
-To watch over, nourish, and protect maternally
Dictionary.com
-A term of address for a female parent or a woman having or regarded as having the status, function, or authority of a female parent.
merriam-webster.com
-Maternal tenderness or affection
oxforddictionary.com
-A woman in relation to a child or children to whom she has given birth
Although there are many different interpretations of the true definition of a mother, the technical definitions remain the same. Hester Prynne can be considered a well-fit mother based upon the definitions found above. Although the way in which Hester conceived Pearl is considered a crime by the Puritan society, Hester still gives birth to and raises her daughter. Even though she is forced to wear the Scarlet Letter as a punishment, and is an outcast of society she manages to raise, nourish, and protect Pearl. As Hester is doing her best to convince the Governor that she is a fit mother and can take care of Pearl, Hester reveals that she wants nothing more than to prevent Pearl from becoming like her, so she teachs her "lessons whereof [her] child may be the wiser and the better". Hester takes care of Pearl on her own and adorns her with beautiful clothing. Although Pearl is often seen as a rambunctious and unruly child Hester loves her daughter unconditionally. Hester may not be the "perfect" mother because of her past, but she fits the technical definitions of a mother.
thefreedictionary.com
-A woman who raises a child.
-To give birth to; create and produce.
-To watch over, nourish, and protect maternally
Dictionary.com
-A term of address for a female parent or a woman having or regarded as having the status, function, or authority of a female parent.
merriam-webster.com
-Maternal tenderness or affection
oxforddictionary.com
-A woman in relation to a child or children to whom she has given birth
Although there are many different interpretations of the true definition of a mother, the technical definitions remain the same. Hester Prynne can be considered a well-fit mother based upon the definitions found above. Although the way in which Hester conceived Pearl is considered a crime by the Puritan society, Hester still gives birth to and raises her daughter. Even though she is forced to wear the Scarlet Letter as a punishment, and is an outcast of society she manages to raise, nourish, and protect Pearl. As Hester is doing her best to convince the Governor that she is a fit mother and can take care of Pearl, Hester reveals that she wants nothing more than to prevent Pearl from becoming like her, so she teachs her "lessons whereof [her] child may be the wiser and the better". Hester takes care of Pearl on her own and adorns her with beautiful clothing. Although Pearl is often seen as a rambunctious and unruly child Hester loves her daughter unconditionally. Hester may not be the "perfect" mother because of her past, but she fits the technical definitions of a mother.
