The Scarlet Letter Chapters 1-6

I find it very interesting how they go about punishing Hester.  The punishment given to her is far beyond one simple day.  Its hard to imagine thinking that you knew these people and maybe some of them like you maybe some of them don't but going out into the square and being ridiculed by them is a much bigger punishment.  Granted she messedu up but where is forgiveness, especially for the child's sake?   I really wasn't expecting it to be Hester's husband who was the stranger in the crowd, but wow. Then when we really meet Chillingsworth and Hester is forced to hide even his identity.  To a certain extent I could see how Hester's sin would hurt his pride but I just don't think that her avoiding the fact that he is her husband is a very pro-active way to deal with the solution. She is very bold especially with the way that she protects her secret.  When I read Hester and her needle and about this talent that God had given her, and the way that it was used in spite of the shame she carried it gives me a larger perspective of people.  Just because we are disabled or sinful in one area really doesn't mean that we should be ostrasized because we still have things to offer.  Hester is a very good example of that and I think that althought that thought seems to be one that should be or at least seems like common sense I think that we can forget that especially when we see someone as seperate because of something they have done or even just who they are.
The next chapter I found very interesting just because it really shows the consequence of the Scarlet Letter not only for Hester but also for Pearl.  Because of this letter, Pearl has also been set apart in from the other children.  Pearl seems to be very inquisitive and already has this amazing ability to sense the problems that surround her, but because she is able to do that, I think that is where her behavior issues lie.  She already has this stigma of an outcast placed on her for something that truely isn't her fault.