The Scarlet Letter

The Scarlet Letter, Chapters 7-8

1. When the town elders are deciding whether or not to remove Pearl from the custody of
her mother, Dimmesdale asserts that Hester is better off than the unknown and unpunished
father. What reasons does he provide to support this assertion?

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Last updated by jill d #170087
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Dimmesdale points out that Pearl can save Hester - if Hester can raise Pearl as a child worthy of heaven and she too could be worthy of heaven: the father wouldn't be as lucky.

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The Scarlet Letter

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