Throughout the novel, Pearl remains the reminder of the sin that Hester committed, this is her symbolic importance. Many of the characters in this novel suffer the consequences of their sins, however, none seem to suffer as much as Pearl. Despite the fact that she has committed no crime to society, her very presence and unfortunate circumstance punish her. Pearl is portrayed as an offspring of vice from the moment that she is conceived. We see Pearl as a victim throughout the book; she remains inwardly innocent despite the circumstances that she is brought up in. Not even a shaft of light can reach the guilty soul of her mother inside the jail. It is in this isolated room, away from the discerning villagers waiting outside, that Pearl is brought into the world. Although it is Hester who is directly punished through the austere ways of the period, indirectly Pearl is also being punished. Hester deeply fears her daughter, because she reminds her of her sin. Hester feels guilt towards Pearl too - she believes that her own sin has caused Pearl to receive the harsh treatment that she has. However, Pearl defends her Mother, even when the small puritan children bully her, there is no doubt of Pearl's continuous love for her Mother. She may not always show it and may not respect her Mother as much as she should - but her love remains. Because Hester is afraid of her daughter, Pearl lacks guidance- she does as she pleases and there are many times that Hester's lack of parental guidance becomes clear:
             "Thou strange child, why dost thou not come to me?"
             Note the use of the word "strange" in this quote: Hester dare not punish Pearl - because she herself doubts the humanity of the child. Hester chose to name her child to represent the cost of her virtue. Therefore, here we can see how, even if unintentionally - Hester impresses her guilty feelings onto little pearl, simply because she is a reminder of her sin. Although Hester displays an inwa...