chapter 19:
" "And will he always keep his hand over his heart?" inquired Pearl. "Foolish child, what a question is that!" exclaimed her mother. "Come, and ask his blessing!" "
of couse Pearl's question is not foolish. She reflects her mother's feelings, and probably is what Hester wonders about. A.D.'s gesture. Hawt. is pointing out that actually, when they three will be together, recognized by the society, his pain will disappear. His touching his heart is both the thought of his family (touching his heart he can feel his love for the family) and the A. What Pearl says is the explicit form of A.D's pain, finally.
Pearl is a reflection of the mother. Think about the reflection in the stream in your previous post. She reflects the mothers emotions, thoughts, and sin. She is the outward manifestation of Hester's inner world.
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