The Scarlet Letter, by Nathaniel Hawthorne, is a novel which portrays the message of sin and punishment, through the outcome of an adulterous relationship between Hester Prynne and Reverend Dimmesdale. Throughout the novel, Hawthorne portrays the tension between Dimmesdale's guilt and the fact that he cannot confess to his sin. Dimmesdale's pain intensifies as his sin corrodes his morale, but he remains steadfast with his belief that his confession to the community would be a detriment to the futures of its members. The conclusion of the novel, however, is a striking deviance from the attitude Dimmesdale has cultivated throughout his internal battle with his guilt. The third scaffold scene shows a drastic change in Dimmesdale's attitude toward his situation, in that he confesses and serves as his own prosecutor, instead of allowing matters to be handled by God as he had up to this point. The conclusion of the novel is a failure in comparison to the rest of the work, in that it undermines the deep-rooted philosophy Dimmesdale has held about his position. Hawthorne does not express a plausible ending to the progression of Dimmesdale's developing emotions, rather, he creates an ending in which Dimmesdale reverses his fundamental principles. .
At the start of the novel, when Hester emerges from the jail with her daughter, Pearl, Dimmesdale's speech to Hester reveals no indication of his involvement in her situation. He says, "I charge thee to speak out the name of thy fellow-sinner and fellow-sufferer!" , and continues to describe that it would be better if she revealed her partner because otherwise he would live a life of guilt. The harshness with which Dimmesdale speaks to Hester reinforces his effort to hide that he is the man which he condemns. In the chapters that follow, Dimmesdale's condition is described; he frequently clutches at his chest as though his heart pains him as he deals with his buried sin.
Dimmesdale's struggle was not with another person though. ... The cause of Dimmesdale's struggles are the same as Hester Prynne's. ... Later in the book, Dimmesdale becomes sick. ... At the end of the book, Dimmesdale finally resolves his conflict. ... While Hester bore her sin publicly, Dimmesdale bor his privately. ...
Dimmesdale: Someone from Above or Below? ... Dimmesdale denies his guilt about the scarlet letter and ends up in an emotional rollercoaster that puts the main focus on him and his well being. ... This "rollercoaster- that Dimmesdale faces becomes his battle with fantasy and reality. ... With that, the thing that Dimmesdale is searching for puts the whole book in the balance, for he holds the key but cannot open the door. ... Although Hester also finds a different way to look at a problem, Dimmesdale doesn't just look but acts upon what he feels. ...
Dimmesdale: Someone from Above or Below? ... Dimmesdale denies his guilt about the scarlet letter and ends up in an emotional rollercoaster that puts the main focus on him and his well being. ... This "rollercoaster- that Dimmesdale faces becomes his battle with fantasy and reality. ... With that, the thing that Dimmesdale is searching for puts the whole book in the balance, for he holds the key but cannot open the door. ... Although Hester also finds a different way to look at a problem, Dimmesdale doesn't just look but acts upon what he feels. ...
Arthur Dimmesdale Dimmesdale is a scared man because he is Hester's lover but does not want to admit it. ... When Chillingworth opens Dimmesdale's shirt, he is overjoyed. ... He is not allowed into Dimmesdale soul as Dimmesdale tells him not to meddle in his personal affairs. ... The name Leech symbolizes what he is to Dimmesdale. ... This is because Dimmesdale had already confessed so Chillingworth had nothing to live for and his motive to do evil had faded with Dimmesdale's death. ...
Despite this portrayal Dimmesdale was a stronger character than given credit for. ... We first see Dimmesdale portrayed as a nervous and sensitive individual. Despite his outer appearance, inside Dimmesdale is a very stable, strong person. ... While this seems to give Dimmesdale great strength, it is also his largest flaw. ... Dimmesdale was not courageous in his actions in the story but strong. ...
Both Hester and Dimmesdale, are characters in the Scarlet Letter. ... Hester and Dimmesdale both bear a scarlet letter but the way they handle it is different. ... Dimmesdale on the other hand, has a scarlet letter carved in his chest. ... Hester's view of the afterlife is one in which both her and Dimmesdale will live with each other. When Dimmesdale is dying in her arms she says, "Shall we not meet again? ...
Dimmesdale, a key character in Nathaniel Hawthorne's the Scarlet Letter, had to face. ... At the beginning of the novel, Dimmesdale has established quite a reputation for himself. ... In further developing Dimmesdale's character, Hawthorne portrays him as a hypocrite. ... The fact that Dimmesdale is a hypocrite causes him to experience increased torment due to his guilt. ... Similarly, there are also some things that go on that are out of Dimmesdale's control. ...
Dimmesdale, a key character in Nathaniel Hawthorne's the Scarlet Letter, had to face. ... At the beginning of the novel, Dimmesdale has established quite a reputation for himself. ... In further developing Dimmesdale's character, Hawthorne portrays him as a hypocrite. ... The fact that Dimmesdale is a hypocrite causes him to experience increased torment due to his guilt. ... Similarly, there are also some things that go on that are out of Dimmesdale's control. ...
