The midwife, Mrs. Downey, thinks it would be best for Celia to give her baby up for adoption but Celia refuses. What did you think of this decision? What about her choice later, when she refuses the offer of enough money to change their lives, as long as she and Pearl relocate far away? What would you have done in these circumstances?
Celia’s father had been killed, Stephen was not responding to her letters (directed to his university because she didn’t even know how to contact him), and she lived in a brothel, albeit with some friendships developing there. Baby Pearl was Celia’s lifeline, the most important - maybe the only - reason for her to continue living.
I would probably have accepted the offer to relocate with Pearl. It makes more sense than trying to raise Pearl in the Dewdrop Inn.
Luisa has an excellent point—-Pearl is Celia’s lifeline, and it would break her to give up Pearl.
The most sensible choice would have been to marry and relocate, but Celia from the beginning was wholly emotional and just could not be sensible. Her survival through numerous dangers were far-fetched, even as she depended on others to care for her child, The fact that she prevailed truly made her and Pearl daughters of good fortune.
1 Like
I think Celia was incredibly brave. When Mrs. Downey suggested that she give up her baby, Celia believed that Stephen would return and they would marry. The refusal of financial support based on her relocating probably made a lot of sense. I can’t imagine what I might have done.
It would be difficult to give up a child when that was all you had of your family. She may have thought that Stephen might eventually realize that the child was his. I woul never have given up a child that I had birthed.
Given that Celia expected to marry the father of the baby, I understand why she chose to keep the child. Celia didn’t want anyone to control her or her child, so I understand why she did not accept financial support.
I would never give away one of my children. All 4 are grown, and I still miss them every day.
Celia’s decision to keep her baby, even when Mrs. Downey urged her to consider adoption, was deeply emotional—but also understandable. Her world had completely fallen apart: her father was dead, Stephen had disappeared without responding to her letters, and she was living in the Dewdrop Inn, surrounded by people she barely knew. In that overwhelming isolation, baby Pearl became her anchor—her reason to keep going. Giving her up would have meant losing the only family she had left.
Later, when Celia refuses the offer of financial security in exchange for relocating, I had mixed feelings. On one hand, accepting the money might have provided a more stable life for both of them—especially considering the instability of raising a child in a brothel. But on the other hand, Celia clearly didn’t want to be controlled or pushed into a life she didn’t choose. That refusal came from a place of fierce independence and deep love for her child.
If I were in her place, I might have seriously considered relocating with Pearl. It could have offered them a fresh start, free from the judgment and hardship they faced daily. But I also admire Celia’s bravery—she was determined to build a life on her own terms, even if it wasn’t the easiest path. Ultimately, her love for Pearl outweighed every “sensible” choice, and that devotion made her a character I deeply respected.
I agree that Pearl was Celia’s anchor. She would never have given her up or relocate as she was holding onto the belief that Stephen would return & they would marry.
Celia’s life was turned up side down, but she was sure of two things, one was her love for Stephen and the second was that she truly believed he loved her. She would never give up their baby. As time went on that was all she lived for. She listened to her heart, and no matter how difficult it go, she continued to believe. In my opinion she did the right thing in keeping her baby.
Celia was determined to keep her beloved child and raise her. Pearl was conceived in love and Celia was naive in many ways. She was very young, inexperienced, & not worldly. She innocently believed that Stephen truly loved her and that when he returned from school, it would be the two of them against the world! (A universal, timeless literary theme.) Somehow, their love would prevail! Cue the violins!
Even when Celia realized that matters were far more complicated and faced homelessness, she would not give up her child. Nor would she simply move away where Stephen would not be able to find them. She was stubborn, but brave, and never fully lost her idealism.
I don’t think I could ever give up a child, although I would never judge a woman who makes that choice. I’d like to think I would be as determined and resilient as Celia, even though my commitment to my children has certainly never been tested to that extent, thankfully.