The Scarlet Letter

What impression did the men have of Pearl's religious training?

Ch. 8:The Elf-Child and the Minister

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Pearl has been well versed in religion by her mother and is by far a better child of God than the men who condemn her mother, but for whatever reason, when asked about the things she knew, she chose to say nothing. When she finally spoke, she told a tale, and they took her seriously. The men's impression was that she'd had no religious training.

“This is awful!” cried the Governor, slowly recovering from his astonishment at Pearl’s answer. “This three-year-old child cannot tell who made her! Without a doubt, she knows just as little about her soul, its present sinfulness, and its future destiny! Gentlemen, I think we know all we need to know.”

Source(s)

The Scarlet Letter/ Modern Text