How and what does Pearl play with? What does this say about her awareness and maturity?Any answers would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance..

In Chapter 6, Pearl is three years old.  It is in this
chapter that the details of who she is and how she plays are outlined.  In the same way
that her mother is shunned socially, little Pearl is shunned.  She does not grow up
playing with other children her age.  In the absence of human playmates, therefore,
Pearl creates playmates out of the "unlikliest materials--a stick, a bunch of rags, a
flower."  It is further noted that in her childish voice, she seems to make pretend play
of them warring and fighting with one another.  Her mother notes Pearl's "constant
recognition of an adverse world."

This shows a couple of
things about Pearl's awareness and maturity.  Though imaginative (pretend) play is not
unheard of at the age of 3, it not usually so advanced, especially without contact or
connection with older children.  Pearl's actions immediately show her innate
intelligence.  Further, it shows how keenly aware she is, of her mother's (and her own)
social positions.  At three years old such actions could be looked at and scoffed as
silly or meaningless.  You will see though, that as Pearl grows older, she does in fact
possess almost a 6th sense about the evil which surrounds her and the ways that she is
different from others.  Her behavior as a three-year-old is only the beginning of the
wisdom Pearl will soon display.