Young children can be a blessing or they can be a curse. Some can be both at the same time, but others can only do one of the two. It all depends upon their surroundings, and their upraising. In the novel, Pearl is able to do both at the same time, although with an extra twist. Along with being a blessing and a curse, Pearl can also be an angel and a demon.

On one side of the coin, there are a few ways that Pearl could be an angel. Firstly, she possessed a great natural beauty. She was so lovely that there was a circle of radiance around her. She could look just as good in an old gown as she could in a dress made of the finest materials. Secondly, Pearl possessed a multitude of personalities, ranging from the wild prettiness of a peasant baby, to...