Scarlet Letter pg. 94

Entry 19

"And she saw that, owing to the peculiar effect of this convex mirror, the scarlet letter was represented in exaggerating and gigantic proportions, so as to be greatly the most prominent feature of her appearance. In truth, she seemed absolutely hidden behind it."

The saying, "The apple doesn't fall far from the tree,"is like Hester and Pearl. Pearl is a symbol of sin, and so is her mother. Hester, before Pearl, was waiting for her husband that she didn't even love in a judging society. If they had known that she didn't love her husband, than they probably would have thought different of her. Now, she had Pearl out of adultery with a reverend, while she's still married to Chillingsworth.

When she sees the A in the armor, it fills the reflection, and is described as 'exaggerated.' The main question is, is if it really is exaggerated. The A basically defines her and who she is which is sinful. It's the most prominent part of her appearance, but maybe that's what everyone else sees of her.

Since Hester's had Pearl, everyone examines her differently. Maybe who she really is, is hiding behind the A. This refers back to the dark/light; she's in the dark, and needs to come into the light.