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.