dimmesdale guilt essays

Dimmesdale, the personification of human frailty and sorrow, is young, pale, and physically delicate. He has large, melancholy eyes and a tremulous mouth, suggesting great sensitivity. An ordained Puritan minister, he is well educated, and he has a philosophical turn of mind. There is no doubt that he is devoted to God, passionate in his religion, and effective in the pulpit. He also has the principal conflict in the novel, and his agonized suffering is the direct result of his inability to disclose his sin. Of the four major characters in this novel, which investigates the nature of evil and sin and is a criticism of Puritan rigidity and intolerance, Dimmesdale is the only Puritan. One really cannot understand Dimmesdale or his dilemma without at least a cursory understanding of the Puritans who inhabited Boston at this time (see the essay The Puritan Community in the Critical Essays) and Hawthorne's psychological perspective through which he presents this tragic character. In Puritan terms, Dimmesdale's predicament is that he is unsure of his soul's status: He is exemplary in performing his duties as a Puritan minister, an indicator that he is one of the elect; however, he knows he has sinned and considers himself a hypocrite, a sign he is not chosen. The vigils he keeps are representative of this inward struggle to ascertain his heavenly status, the status of his very soul. Note that Hawthorne says of Dimmesdale's nightly vigils, which are sometimes in darkness, sometimes in dim light, and sometimes by the most powerful light which he could throw upon it, He thus typified the constant introspection wherewith he tortured.. Finally, to add to the Dimmesdale dilemma, the Puritans — therefore, Dimmesdale — did not believe that good works or moral living earned salvation for the individual. As Dimmesdale states, There is no substance in it [good works]. (Hester.
Enter Your Search Terms to Get Started! The Scarlet Letter: Dimmesdale Many characters go through transformations in The Scarlet Letter, and one of those characters is Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale. Author Nathaniel Hawthorne writes of a puritan society, and it is the laws of that society, both written and unwritten, that Dimmesdale breaks and which causes the changes to occur. He commits the sin of adultery, and by sleeping with Hester Prynne, breaks the laws that he is supposed to represent. He cannot admit his sin because he is a holy man, and admitting his sin would mean losing the faith of his congregation. Instead he struggles with his sin and tortures himself in an effort to gain forgiveness for what he has done. Dimmesdale is described as the worst of sinners, yet he is seen as the holiest man in his community. Dimmesdale’s progression occurs throughout the story, but can be seen in three main parts. He first denies his sin, then he unwillingly accepts it, and finally he overcomes it. The three scaffold scenes can represent these three stages. In the first scaffold scene, the town is out to witness the punishment of Hester Prynne, and some of the women are suggesting other punishments. The women are also talking about Hester and Dimmesdale. “’People say,’ said another, ‘that the Reverend Master Dimmesdale, her godly pastor, takes it very grievously to heart that such a scandal should have come upon his congregation’” (49). The community sees Reverend Dimmesdale as a godly man who does not commit sin. In the beginning he feels fine and does not feel any guilt. Dimmesdale is trying to convince Hester to reveal the man who has sinned along with her, so the man can be relieved of his guilt, which is ironic because he is the man who has sinned with her. What can thy silence do for him, except it tempt him-yea, compel him, as it were-to add hypocrisy to sin? Heaven.
Free Essays brought to you by 123HelpMe.com The Metamorphosis of Dimmesdale in Scarlet Letter   In The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, there are many characters that transform; one of them is Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale. Dimmesdale committed a great sin of the puritan society, he slept with another mans wife and Hester Prynne became pregnant. Hester was punished for her sin but Arthur Dimmesdale had not admitted to it, so he lives with this guilt and it is much worst for him because he is a puritan minister. Dimmesdale inflicts punishment upon himself because of his adulterated sin. Dimmesdale transforms throughout the novel always in the same place The Scaffold.   The town is all out to witness the punishment of Hester Prynne some of the women are suggesting other punishments and the women are telling us about Hester and Dimmesdale. People say, said another, that the Reverend Master Dimmesdale, her godly pastor, takes it very grievously to heart that such a scandal should have come upon his congregation. (Page 49) Reverend Dimmesdale is seen as a godly man. A man who does not commit sin and in his own mind at this point he feels fine and does not have any guilt. Dimmesdale at this point in the novel is seen as godly and throughout the novel is seen as godly even at the end after the last scaffold scene. Consequently enough, Dimmesdale is trying to convince Hester to reveal the man who has sinned along with her , so the man can be relieved of his guilt, some what ironic because he is the man who has sinned along side with her. What can thy silence do for him, except it tempt him--yea, compel him, as it were--to add hypocrisy to sin? Heaven hath granted thee an open ignominy, that thereby thou mayest work out an open triumph over the evil within thee and the sorrow without. Take heed how thou deniest to him--who, perchance, hath not the courage to grasp it for.
Study Guide for The Scarlet Letter The Scarlet Letter study guide contains a biography of Nathaniel Hawthorne, literature essays, a complete e-text, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis. About The Scarlet Letter The Scarlet Letter Summary Character List Glossary Themes Read the Study Guide for The Scarlet Letter Essays for The Scarlet Letter The Scarlet Letter essays are academic essays for citation. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne. The Little Human A Incarnate Perception Blanketed by Passion Original Sin Hawthorne's Witch-Baby in The Scarlet Letter Hester's Role as Both the Sinner and Saint View our essays for The Scarlet Letter Lesson Plan for The Scarlet Letter About the Author Study Objectives Introduction to The Scarlet Letter Relationship to Other Books Notes to the Teacher View the lesson plan for The Scarlet Letter E-Text of The Scarlet Letter The Scarlet Letter e-text contains the full text of The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne. INTRODUCTORY. THE CUSTOM-HOUSE CHAPTER I. THE PRISON-DOOR CHAPTER II. THE MARKET-PLACE CHAPTER III. THE RECOGNITION CHAPTER IV. THE INTERVIEW Read the E-Text for The Scarlet Letter Wikipedia Entries for The Scarlet Letter Introduction Plot Major themes Publication history Critical response View Wikipedia Entries for The Scarlet Letter.