32.) “And so it is!” said the child. “And, mother, he has his hand over his heart! Is it because, when the minister wrote his name in the book, the Black Man set his mark in that place? But why does he not wear it outside his bosom, as thou dost, mother?”
Pearl thinks that Dimmesdale has signed away his heart to the devil which is why he has is hand over his heart. She knows that Dimmesdale feels extremely guilty about something, but just like the secret he is hiding under his shirt, when her mother wears her shame out on the open for everyone to see. Pearl just wants the truth to be out she doesn't understand why he is hiding everything. She is passing her judgment to him and hopes that he will do whats right.
Why does Pearl want the truth out? Remember mentally she is a child. Is she an agent or God? Is she judging Dimmesdale?
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