"The very first thing which she had noticed, in her life, was--what?--not the mother's smile, responding to it, as other babies do, by that faint, embryo smiles of the little mouth, remembered so doubtful afterwards, and with such fond discussion whether is were indeed a smile. By no means! But that first object of which Pearl seemed to become aware was--shall we say it?--the scarlet letter on Hester's bosom! One day, as her mother stooped over the cradle, the infant's eyes had been caught by the glimmering of the gold embroidery about the letter; and , putting up her little hand, she grasped at it, smiling, not doubtfully, but with a decided gleam that gave her face the look of a much older child." ((Chapter 6/PAGE 86))
The first object that Pearl sees is the dreadful scarlet letter. However, Pearl has never been on Earth before and knows not of its message or origin. The lack of understanding that the baby has, doesn't allow it to be disgusted or repulsed by the insignia. Instead, it is rather eye-catching and intriguing to her. The gold lining as well as the intrinsic red fill draw the child's attention, so it can view the letter as an illustration and not as the terrible symbol everyone else sees, which mirrors Hester's own appearance and the view of her by the townsfolk on a smaller scale.
THEMES:
Nature vs. Human Law
Man vs. Nature
Nature of Evil
Sin vs. Forgiveness or Punishment vs. Forgiveness
Individual vs. Society
Exile
Public Guilt vs. Private Guilt
Civilization vs. Wilderness (Town vs. Woods)
Good vs. Evil
Man vs. Society
Children, particularly babies are attracted to bright colors, so it makes sense that Pearl would be attracted to it. Besides, the "A" becomes symbolic for "mother" for Pearl. Pearl is unaware of her mother's sin.
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