Quote

"It is probable that there was an idea of penance in this mode of occupation, and that she offered up a real sacrifice of enjoyment, in devoting so many hours to such rude handiwork" (77).

Response

Many people throughout Boston felt the Hester's embroidered A was a sign that she was proud of her sin when this was not the case. She felt that her hours of devotion to making the A were a form  of punishment,  who wants to spend hour after hour stitching the very thing that is to isolate them from society. This was Hester's attempt at penance but she will never be able to forget her sins due to the fact that the A constantly reminds her of her biggest fault.

Quote

"Hester was ultimately compelled to stand aside, and permit the child to be swayed by her own impulses" (84).

Response

A parent cannot reward bad behavior, especially when they have a child born of an adulteress in a theocratic society. Pearl is already an outcast and her bad behavior will isolate her from others still more. As she grows older her behavioral issues will grow into genuinely bad actions. It would not be surprising to see Pearl end up in the same predicament as her mother.