Dimmesdale Character Analysis
The Scarlet Letter Interpretive Essay (#1)We all have sinned. Whether it is a minor sin or a major sin, one thing is for sure; our sins always come with consequences. The price that we pay for our sins can be the guilt within ourselves or punishment we receive from others. The consequence of sin is extensively shown in Nathaniel Hawthorne's romance, The Scarlet Letter. The "orthodox" or "Puritan" interpretation of The Scarlet Letter is that people's sins have an everlasting effect on the sinners, and that sin leads to the consequence of suffering. Even if a sin is forgiven, the sinner will always have to deal with the consequences as a result of his or her decision. There are three main characters in the novel that sin and experience the consequences of their actions. Hester sins by committing adultery with Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale. The actions of their sin consequently bring them an illegitimate child. Chillingworth's sin is the worst sin commited in the novel. He violated the sanctity of the human heart. Chillingworth tortures Dimmesdale mentally and physically for a long time, and eventually kills Dimmesdale by draining him of life. Reverend Dimmesdale sins when he commits adultery with Hester. He feels even guiltie
Because of his resulting weak and sickly demeanor, this illustrates the extent of his guilt in that he subjects himself to so much painful, bodily harm. His rhetorical questions to himself are daily, yet he has no answers. Dimmesdale had evidently begun to fail. The guilt that he feels for what he did has over-powered him. Time after time he castigates himself on the pulpit, but he veils his vilifications knowingly to inspire awe and reverence among his audience. From this quote we can say that the community refused to see his change for what it really was, sin. His mental instabilities caused him to be able to relate everyday occurrences in life to the sin he committed, which caused him to think about his sin and feel his guilt incessantly. This quote shows how Chillingworth tries to manipulate Dimmesdale's mind to constantly be haunted by his sin, and it always works. "He (Chillingworth) attached himself to him (Dimmesdale) as a parishioner . He is never able to escape his guilt, as each day passes, his heart becomes heavier with shame. As he is walking he manages to barely resist temptations to say bad things to each townsperson. Any chance available, Chillingworth pounced on the opportunity to take advantage of Dimmesdale. He wonders to himself, ''What is it that haunts and tempts me thus?' cried the minister to himself, at length, pausing in the street, and striking his hand against his forehead. The sin that Dimmesdale has committed has severely affected him physically.
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