Final answer:
In Nathaniel Hawthorne's novel The Scarlet Letter, Reverend Dimmesdale sees Pearl as both a reminder of his sin and a symbol of his salvation.
Step-by-step explanation:
In Nathaniel Hawthorne's novel The Scarlet Letter, Reverend Dimmesdale believes that Pearl plays a dual role. On one hand, he sees her as a constant reminder of his sin and guilt. On the other hand, he believes that Pearl is a symbol of his salvation and a connection to God.
Dimmesdale sees Pearl as a living, tangible representation of his hidden sin. He believes that her presence in his life constantly reminds him of his affair with Hester Prynne, which weighs heavily on his conscience.
However, Dimmesdale also believes that Pearl is his only hope for salvation. He sees her as a blessing from God, a child born out of sin but capable of leading him to redemption.
He acknowledges that his relationship with Pearl is not entirely based on love, but he hopes that by acknowledging her publicly as his daughter, he will find spiritual peace.