"Nevertheless," said the mother calmly, though growing more pale, "this badge hath taught me, --it daily teaches me, --it is teaching me at this moment, -- lessons wereof my child may be the wiser and better, albeit they can profit nothing to myself. (Hawthorne 96)
While reading this quote I really understood Hester and how guilty she truly felt for having to wear this letter upon her because of what she had done. Carrying the guilt around and having her daughter in this mist of everything. Hester expresses how better her daughter is and how she can grow and learn from her mothers mistakes and not repeat them. Yes, it was wrong and people are going to look down on Hester, but she is here for her daughter and trying her best to look out for her. Governor Bellingham was questioning and judging her ability of having Pearl as a daughter. This quote shows the heart and compassion Hester has for her daughter and I believe her when she expresses herself.
People make mistakes and it seems like in this time period you are not forgiven and it is unfair because when people do make mistakes and they learn from them then why punish them continuously.
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I agree with your statement. Although Hester did sin through adultery, she hasn't done anything to prove that she would be incapable of nuturing her child properly. I'm sure that her mistake and the punishment given so far has already scarred her deeply with or without the scarlet letter.
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