In the novel, The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale has committed the sin of adultery with Hester Prynne. ... Ironically, Reverend Dimmesdale asks Hester "who she has committed the sin with?"... Now, Chillingworth does not yet suspect that Dimmesdale is the other adulterer so he helps the reverend to become well again. ... Dimmesdale doesn't respond well to this and Chillingworth begins to suspect Dimmesdale of hiding something. ... Because of the guilt that Chillingworth has brought out of Dimmesdale, The Reverend becomes mentally unstable. ...

• Word Count: 735
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

She is the mother of her only daughter, Pearl, who was conceived in sin with the Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale. Arthur Dimmesdale is the reverend of the small puritan society, and Hester's partner in sin. ... Hester chooses not to reveal Arthur Dimmesdale's identity because she does not want to hurt him. ... Hester Prynn is also the person who allows Roger Chillingworth to secretly torture Arthur Dimmesdale. ... She instigates Arthur Dimmesdale's torture and eventual death. ...

• Word Count: 855
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

Throughout the course of the book, Hawthorne uses Hester, Pearl, and Arthur Dimmesdale to signify and contrast both the Puritanical and Romantic philosophies. ... Puritanism puts all of its stock in the religious leader of the community; Arthur Dimmesdale was the Religious leader of the community where the story takes place. ... To Dimmesdale, it is bad that Hester is shown publicly as a sinner, but what is far worse than public shame is Dimmesdale's own cruel inner shame. ... The weak mortality of Reverend Dimmesdale is also depicted by Nathaniel Hawthorne's exercise of mirrors thro...

• Word Count: 2043
• Approx Pages: 8

Arthur Dimmesdale, believed to be a pious reverend, is provided as an example of conformity. ... And Pearl, who is the offspring of Hester and Dimmesdale, is unlike either of the two. ... Through Hester's tribulations, she is able to stand against the status quo and become her own ideal individual.Throughout the novel, Arthur Dimmesdale is known as a venerable reverend. ... Although Dimmesdale bares this title, he is possibly the ultimate example of conformity. ... Through Dimmesdale, as he shows his inner struggle between his true identity and social reputation. ...

• Word Count: 1053
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School